About sundown she rode into Goldite, went at once to Mrs. Dick's, and tied her horse to a post. Mrs. Dick she met in the hall.
"Snakes alive!" exclaimed that lively little person. "If you ain't back as natural as life!" The garb had not deceived her for a moment. "Where in the world have you been, in such a rig?"
Beth's answer was ready.
"I went to see my brother, and had to spend the night on the desert."
Mrs. Dick stared at her in wonder. "Talk to me about the Eastern women being mollycuddles! You don't mean his cabin was blown down by the storm?"
Beth was ill-prepared for this, but she met it.
"I wish you could have seen that roof go by!"
"Are you hungry?" the hostess demanded. "You look all wore out."
"I am," Beth admitted. "Has Mr. Bostwick been here in my absence?"
"He ain't been here in anything—nope."