Page 36 (2/2)

A guilty look of regret stole across Rusty’s lined face “Sorry, Benteen I fergot such talk offends a lady’s delicate sensibilities”

A hush had settled over the ht Benteen was conscious that they aiting to see what he was going to do He was irritated at the aard position Lorna had put him in

He forced himself to ss she’s going to have to learn to accept”

He put his plate aside and rolled to his feet Crossing the camp with slow deliberation, Benteen raised the canvas flap of the wagon and ducked his head to cli He struggled to control his ih to look at him, then turned it quickly away

“What is it this time, Lorna?” There wasn’t rooon bed, so he sat down on the mattress

I herself into a sitting position Her legs were crooked under her skirt to avoid any contact with him

“Aniuts,” she declared in a choked voice “How can you expect uts?”

“It isn’t the gut It’s the h before you found out as in it,” he reminded her

“It isn’t just that,” Lorna protested, and scrubbed away the tears with her hand

“Then what is it?” Benteen demanded

“It’s everything You never toldto be like this,” she accused

“You kneas going to be rough” His eyebroere pulled together in a dark frown

“Rough, yes” She nodded “I can take being bounced all over a wagon until I’ dusty and dirty because there isn’t enough water for bathing But it’s the rest”

“The rest?”

“Don’t you kno hu it is for a woman to relieve herself where others can see her?” Lorna sobbed, turning pink again at the e memory She buried her face in her hands “I wish I were back hoular food”