Chapter 9

           Inthemorningshecookedhimgritswhichheatewithoutcomment.Heshoveledthemintohismouthwithoutthinkingabouther,hardlyseeingher.Heknewheshouldgo.Everyminutehesatherethemaninblackwasfurtheraway-probablyintothedesertbynow.Hispathhadbeenundeviatinglysouth.

           "Doyouhaveamap?"heaskedsuddenly,lookingup.

           "Ofthetown?"shelaughed."Thereisn’tenoughofittoneedamap."

           "No.Ofwhat’ssouthofhere."

           Hersmilefaded."Thedesert.Justthedesert.Ithoughtyou’dstayforalittle."

           "What’ssouthofthedesert?"

           "HowwouldTknow?Nobodycrossesit.Nobody’striedsinceIwashere."Shewipedherhandsonherapron,gotpotholders,anddumpedthetubofwatershehadbeenheatingintothesink,whereitsplashedandsteamed.

           Hegotup.

           "Whereareyougoing?"Sheheardtheshrillfearinhervoiceandhatedit.

           "Tothestable.Ifanyoneknows,thehostlerwill."Heputhishandsonhershoulders.Thehandswerewarm."Andtoarrangeformymule.IfI’mgoingtobehere,heshouldbetakencareof.ForwhenIleave."

           Butnotyet.Shelookedupathim."ButyouwatchthatKennerly.Ifhedoesn’tknowathing,he’llmakeitup."

           Whenheleftsheturnedtothesink,feelingthehot,warmdriftofhergratefultears.