At that moment Bud reappeared bearing a hat full clear river water.
Nan looked up.
"How can we give it him?" she questioned. Somehow the importance of the water had lessened in her mind.
Jeff answered the question himself.
"I don't need it, Bud," he said. Then he added as an afterthought:
"Thanks."
Nan looked up at her father who stood doubtfully by.
"Set it down, Daddy. Then get right along an' look out for the doc, an' the wagon. Hustle 'em along."
Bud obeyed unquestioningly. He felt that Nan's understanding of the situation was better than any ideas of his. He set the hat down for the water to percolate through the soft felt at its leisure. Then he moved on.
The moment he was out of earshot Jeff's voice broke the silence once more.
"Nan?"