It was left to Larry to break up the silence. It was left to him to distract Molly’s mind from the shock of her own feelings. And he did it in no uncertain fashion. He sprang from his chair and passed to the verandah post, and stood leaning his big body against it.
“Is it murder to shoot a wolf?” he cried hotly. “Is it murder to kill a foul, stenching skunk? Not on your life. If Lightning’s killed that swine, I’m out to see he makes a right getaway.” Suddenly he broke into a queer, short laugh. “Say, folk,” he cried, with a humour that was irresistible, “I was never so glad of this valley, and this crazy layout of Jim’s, as I am right now. Don’t worry a thing, Molly. Don’t you drop one of those dandy tears. We’re men on this ranch, not saints. And there isn’t a soul among us but says Lightning’s right—dead right. My only worry is that Lightning shall kill that feller good an’ plenty.”
Without pausing for the result of his utterly immoral approval of murder, he stepped off the verandah. But he turned at once at Blanche’s smiling challenge.
“Where now, Larry?” she asked gently.
The man made a little gesture of impatience.
“Why, to fix my horse right. I pull right out after supper. There’s going to be no darn hanging for Lightning.”
Blanche shook her head.
“No, boy,” she said, with decision. “You men are all mostly foolish when your heads get hot. You’re going to stop around here to see no hurt comes to the woman who doesn’t know better than to marry a man whose head Nature intended to get hot. Lightning doesn’t need your help. He borrowed my Pedro. And—he’ll bring him right back here. I know that. And I guess Molly knows it, too. She and Jim here can ride down to the farm to-morrow. She’ll ride her own pinto that Lightning insisted on bringing up for her. Maybe Molly’s quick eyes’ll see things Jim isn’t likely to.”
Then she turned to the girl beside her. She took possession of one of her hands, and caressed it between her own soft palms.
“Then you’ll come right along back here, dear,” she said. “You can’t quit us till you’re well and strong, and feel good for the work you belong to.”