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“It’s all part of a day’s work,” he said She shuddered that he could be so nonchalant about it “Besides, soood came out of it”

“What?” It seemed impossible

“You’re not angry anymore”

Keeping her head down, Lorna pulled reluctantly away frory before” But she didn’t try to explain the hurt she’d felt at his lack of understanding about her parents and the indifference he’d shown for what she was going through “We heard soed the subject

“A bunch of fared, ht of the incident

“Were they the ones who fenced in the water?” she asked, to see if the cook had been right

“They said they were”

“I suppose they were upset about it,” Lorna guessed “Wasn’t it wrong to cut it down? I mean, you shouldn’t destroy other people’s property, should you?”

“A ood water” His lids were shielding his eyes, but she sensed his displeasure at her questions

“But shouldn’t you have asked before you cut it? The farry if you had”

“While I sent somebody to look them up and ask permission, as I supposed to do with twenty-five hundred head of thirsty Longhorns? They would have torn the fence down to get to that water, and cut themselves up bad” Benteen was curt with her, and she saw the hardness in his eyes “This isn’t Fort Worth, Lorna Life is different out here”

Behind theet it or I’ll throw it out!”

Benteen half-turned at the sound, then faced Lorna again “Supper’s ready Are you hungry?”

“Yes” Actually she was starved, but he had ain She resented that, and retaliated by shutting hihts

He curved a hand under her arm “I want to introduce you to the men Some of them you know, but the others haven’t met you”