Our own breakfasting was
silent enough.
We could not take Ruth with us upon our journey;
that was certain; she must stay here with her brother.
She would be safer in Norhala's home than where we were
going, of course, and yet to leave her was most distressing.
After all, I wondered, was there any need of both of us
taking the journey; would not one do just as well?
Drake could stay--
"No use of putting all our eggs in one basket," I
broached the subject. "I'll go down by myself while you
stay and help Ruth. You can always follow if I don't turn
up in a reasonable time."
His indignation at this proposal was matched only by
her own.
"You'll go with him, Dick Drake," she cried, "or I'll
never look at or speak to you again!"
"Good Lord! Did you think for a minute I wouldn't?"
Pain and wrath struggled on his face. "We go together
or neither of us goes. Ruth will be all right here, Goodwin.
The only thing she has any cause to fear is Yuruk--and
he's had his lesson.
"Besides, she'll have the rifles and her pistols, and she
knows how to use them. What d'ye mean by making such
a proposition as that?" His indignation burst all bounds.
Lamely I tried to justify myself.
"I'll be all right," said Ruth. "I'm not afraid of Yuruk.
And none of these Things will hurt me--not after--not
after--" Her eyes fell, her lips quivered, then she faced
us steadily.
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