A few moments later Perse dashed into his mother’s presence flourishing the shining fish at her.
“It’s a dandy bunch, Mum,” he cried, sprawling them on the table. “They’re for supper. Big Bill’s comin’ right along up with Janey an’ Gladys Anne.”
He turned to the Kid who was gazing down at the fish without any display of interest. The boy’s grinning eyes were full of mischief. He came round to her side and looked into her unsmiling eyes.
“Guess you didn’t get it, Kid,” he said. “Big Bill’s comin’ right along up.”
Then he jumped and ran for the door under a swift cuff that came from his mother’s work-worn hand.
“Be right off you imp o’ perdition,” she cried. “The Kid ain’t worried whose comin’ to this house. Ef I get that talk agin ther’s a rawhide waitin’ on you.”
Then she moved to the girl’s side. She reached up and laid a sympathetic hand on her slim shoulder.
“Say, Kid,” she said, with a gentle smile. “Ther’s scarce a night he don’t come along.” She glanced hastily round the room to be sure they were alone. “Are you kind o’ glad?” she ventured anxiously. “Does it make you feel sort o’—glad?”
The girl smiled down into the soft brown eyes. She nodded.
“Yes, Mum, I’m just glad all through.” She paused. “But I was kind of thinking. It was fixed Clarence was to make the trail to Placer with Usak. Well, Usak don’t reckon it’s safe to trust to him—a boy. He figgers I best go.”