Once in bed, she stretchedout in aching
relief.
Even the vain Mertie,despite her fears and doubts,
knew he would come. Sadie possessed but little charm, so far as Lucy could see. The
rainpattered steadily, the wind mourned, the wild night wore on.
Edd, come an eat, if youre hungry, called his
mother from thekitchen.
She lived over the whole journey andwould not have
changed any of it.
At the wash-bench they made muchsplashing. Wind
held us back all afternoon, replied the son. She was quick to realiseher power over
them.
Oh, Ill never be able to concentrate on anything
here!
On his part, Sam had manifested a slight interest
in a new-comer to thecountry. Denmeade, youre teasing me, exclaimed
Lucy.
Big white stars had appeared over the tips of
thepines; the sky was dark blue. She did not put it beyond any one of them to
burstunbidden in upon her at any hour. Lucy knew she couldnot have gone a rod from
the cabin without being lost.
How fardo they have to ride, and why does Dick
carry the gun?
Thats no easy trail to anyone new to hosses, said
Denmeade.
Mary seemed reluctant to leave Lucy, but Dan rode
off down thelane, mightily unconcerned.
Youll find water, basin, towel out on the
porch.
The others were sitting on the floor,backs to the
wall, listening to what he was saying. Only occasional rifts showed aglimpse of blue
sky.
Lucy, as sheadvanced to the blazing logs, was
astonished to see how wet her coat hadbecome.
Edd extended big, strong, capable-looking hands to
the blaze.
Once more Lucy applied herself diligently to her
task, and for a whileforgot herself. Denmeades exclamation was one of mingled doubt,
amaze, andwondering appreciation of a fortune.
Theres sacks of flour on them
pack-burros.
An I reckon someone will be ridin down after the
dance.
It filled her with joy for them and pride
forherself.
Theheads of the little girls and Dan just topped
the level of the table.
The rain was lessening in volume and some of it
wasfreezing to sleet. Lucy had no idea whatshe had expected, but whatever it had
been, it had not been realised. But shes not like the rest of the
Denmeades.
They didnot seem stolid or matter-of-fact; they
lacked _expression_ of whateverthey did feel.