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“All right, Miss Fanny,” I said “Thanks for telling me”

I drank the tea in a few gulps I put a quarter on the table I hoisted my valises and walked out into the street

As I passed Miss Ida’s notions shop, I saw Livia Winkler co out

“Miz Winkler,” I said, touching the brim of my hat

She suddenly looked flustered Averting her eyes, she turned around and hurried back into the shop

I crossed the street, to the watering trough in front of Jenkins’ Mercantile I scooped up a handful of water and splashed my face

“That water is for horses, s,” said a voice behind me I turned

It was the same fat redheaded man ith his two friends had ju those boys’ heads underwater

This ti iron in his hand

I was too exhausted to fight I was hot I was still a bit weak and wobbly froh But Red didn’t know that I straightened up to full height

“Use your brain,” I said “Turn around and walk away Before I brand you”

We stared each other down Finally he broke it off—shook his head in disgust, spat on the sidewalk near my shoes, and walked away He looked back once I was still there, watching hio

Then I turned and headed in the direction of the one person in Eudora I believed would help me

Chapter 75

“WELL, DAMN, BEN! I could have used soest family and the littlest house in the whole town, and you want to move in here? Damn it all to hell, Ben!”