Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/283

 " Tell mc, Pete I " She shook him hard. " Say it — quick! "

He muttered thickly:

"What for?"

"You're a liar, Pete MuUendore!" she taunted. " You don't know. You haven't any idea where Katie Prentice's father lives! "

The gibe brought no response ; yet slowly, so gradually that it was not possible to tell when it began, a look that was wholly rational came into his eyes. He blinked, touched his dry lips with his dry tongue and, turning his head, recognized her without surprise.

" Git me a drink."

She held a dipper to his lips.

He fixed his eyes upon her face.

"I been sick?"

" Spotted fever."

He stirred slightly.

"What's this?" A weak astonishment was in his voice, as he felt a rope across his arms and chest.

" To keep you in bed."

"I been — loony?"

She nodded.

He looked at her quizzically.

" Emptied my sack? "

" You've talked."

He lay motionless, starmg at her fixedly; then, as if arriving at a conclusion :

" Guess I didn't say much."

" You said plenty," significantly.

" But not enough, eh? " he jeered.

She regarded him silently.

"Where am I, anyhow?"

" In my camp."