If she expected this information to unbend her visitors and soften their manners she was disappointed for Kimber merely raised his eyebrows before he continued:
“We can’t walk to town ourselves, woman. Have you no one at all you can send?”
“There is Lotta.” She went to the door and called the girl’s name harshly. “With Hew gone she must see to the cows. But it is a long walk to town, noble sir.”
“Then ride-or how do you get there when you go woman?” Kimber slid three eggs onto his plate and pushed the still laden platter over to Dard, who, a little dazed by the sight of such a wealth of food, made haste to help himself before it vanished.
“There is the colt. She might ride,” the woman agreed reluctantly.
“Then let her get to it. I don’t intend to sit out the whole of this day waiting for help. The sooner she goes, the better!”
“You want me?”
Dard knew that voice. For a long moment he dared not look up. But that inner compulsion which made him always face danger squarely raised his eyes to meet those of the girl standing in the half-open door. His fingers curled around the handle of the fork and bent it a trifle. But Lotta’s stolid expression did not change and he could only hope that his own face was as blank.
“You want me?” she repeated.
The woman nodded at the two Peacemen. “These gentlemen-their ’copter broke down. They want you should take a message to town for them. Git the colt out and ride.”