“I’ll help yuh,” grinned Sailor.
“I don’t need yuh. Go git some wood.”
Len laughed aloud for the first time since he reached Lobo Wells, and Whispering patted him on the arm.
“Well, I’m glad to see you both,” he said. “In fact, you don’t know how glad I am, boys. It’s good to be back.”
“Yeah, I’ll betcha,” said Sailor. “You shore had a long drag out there, didn’t yuh, Len. Five year.”
“It was a long time, Sailor—a mighty long time.”
Whispering sighed and looked sidewise at Sailor, who went creaking down the steps and headed for the woodpile. Len chuckled softly and Whispering shook his head sadly.
“Jist as ornery as ever, Len. Gittin’ old, I reckon. C’mon in and watch me throw a feed together.”
They started in the house, when Whispering stopped and turned to Len.
“You heard about Harmony?” he asked softly.