"
"It hurted me," sobbed Ruth.
"Your foot?" Pete glanced down at the child's bandaged foot, and then
looked quickly away.
"Ess. It hurted me--and oo didn't hit it."
"I'll bet it was that doggone ole cow! Let's git her out of this here
corral and turn her loose!" Pete shuffled the cow into a disjointed
heap. "Now she's turned loose--and she won't come back."
Ruth ceased sobbing and turned to gaze at Doris, who patted her head
and smiled. "We was--stockin' up our ranch," Pete explained almost
apologetically. "Ruth and me is pardners."
Doris gazed at Pete, her gray eyes warm with a peculiar light. "It's
awfully nice of you to amuse Ruth."
"Amuse her! My Gosh! Miss Gray, she's doin' the amusin'! When we're
visitin' like this, I plumb forgit--everything."
"Here's a letter for you," said Doris. "I thought that perhaps you
might want to have it as soon as possible."
"Thanks, Miss Gray. I reckon it's from Jim Bailey. I--" Pete tore off
the end of the envelope with trembling fingers. Little Ruth watched
him curiously. Doris had turned away and was looking out across the
city.
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