nd it a few hours longer. Still, if
you're crazy to go--" He dropped back on the pillow and turned his
face away.

Billy Louise worked silently until she had made the crutches as soft on
top as she could. Then she hunted for Ward's razor and shaving-cup and
after one or two failures--through using too much water--she managed to
make a cup of very nice lather.

"Now, buckaroo, don't be a sulky kid," she said, firmly as she could.
"You know it's hard enough for me to go off and leave you here like
this. But, as you say, you've managed to get along for six weeks
without me, so--"

"Sure. I could do it again, I reckon." Ward turned a gloomy pair of
eyes upon her. "What's the rush? Do you think it isn't proper--"

"It's always proper to do what is right and helpful and kind," said
Billy Louise with dignity, because she had made up her mind and was
trying not to weaken. "I've lived in this country all my life, and I
guess my reputation will stand this little strain," she went on
lightly, "even if anyone finds it out. I've got to go, that's all.
Those people in the Cove--" It was eloquent of her stern justice that
she could not bring herself to speak them by name.

"You aren't going to turn them over to the sheriff, are you, William?
Good Lord, girl! If I can--"

"Your lather is getting cold," Billy Louise said evenly. "I ought to
have known better than mention the subject at all. I'm going to do
what's right. I believe I have some faint idea of right and wrong,
Ward Warren. And I'm not going to do anything that I don't feel is
right, or anything that I'll be sorry for. You might trust me, I
think. It's early yet--"

"You'll come back before night, won't you?" From his tone, Ward had
yielded the point--and was minded to yield with what graciousness he
could command. It had occurred to him that he was behaving like a
selfish booby. Billy Louise should not call him weak-kneed; whatever
happened.

"No, I don't think I can, Ward. I might send John."

"You needn't bother. I don't want John."

"Well, I don't suppose he would be much comfort. I'll make a pot of
coffee, Ward, and I'll fill the lantern and fix it so you can heat a
cup when you want to; how will that be?" She brightened a little at
the idea. "And I'll fix your lungs up again before I go and bake some
nice, hot biscuits and put here, and butter, and fix you just as comfy
as possible. Or, if you can manage to get around with the cru