“KatiePeck，andwasnoteasytoread，hereandthere。Butyoucouldpieceoutthedriftofit，andtherewasMrs。Taylorbyyourside，eagertohelpyouwhenyoustumbled。MissPeckwrotethatshewasoverworkedinSidney，Nebraska，andneededaholiday。WhentheweathergrewwarmsheshouldliketocometoBearCreekandbelikeoldtimes。“Liketocomeandbelikeoldtimes“filledMrs。Taylorwithsentimentandthecow-puncherswithexpectation。ButitisalongwayfromFebruarytowarmweatheronBearCreek，andevencow-puncherswillforgetaboutanewgirlifshedoesnotcome。ForseveralweeksIhadnotheardMissPeckmentioned，andoldgirlshadtodo。Yesterday，however，whenIpaidavisittoMissMollyWoodtheBearCreekschoolmistress，IfoundherkeepinginorderthecabinandthechildrenoftheTaylors，whiletheyweregoneforty-fivemilestothestagestationtomeettheirguest。
“Well，“saidLin，judicially，“MissWoodisalady。“
“Yes，“saidI，withdeepgravity。ForIwasthinkingofanoccasionwhenMr。McLeanhaddiscoveredthattruthsomewhatabruptly。
Linthoughtfullycontinued。“Sheis——she’s——she’s——whatareyoulaughin’
at？“