"There's many a little craft dips her colors for one who wants me to stand by, but still—"
"Patsy is free."
"Faix! Can't help it, I backed my tawps'l."
"Proposed?"
"Save us! It's time to offer a tow when they're union down, and a danger to navigation. Um. I'm off my course."
"You must have found things changed when you got to the ranch."
"Didn't get there. I'd news at Hat Creek, and kep' the road main north. Mother wasn't at the ranch any more. She'd poisoned Jesse's bear. Oh, mum, I don't want to hurt."
"Mother'd took up with Polly at Spite House."
"Spite House?"