He ended with an inflection which caused Ann to believe that he was thinking of some specific case of misconduct; she felt herself flush quickly and became suddenly fearful that he might refer directly to Ned. Last night she had poured her misery into a stranger's ears; to-day she could not bear the thought of further discussing her husband's life or condition; she shrank, even, from the idea of being associated with him in the minds of other people and in desperation she veered the subject by asking,
"Is it populated much, the valley, I mean?"
"Not yet. Cattle and horse and some sheep ranches are scattered about. One outfit will use up a lot of that country for grazing purposes, you know. Someday there'll be water and more people ... and less bigness!"
He told her more of the valley, stopping now and then to indicate directions.
"I came from over there yesterday," he said, facing about and pointing into the westward. "Had a funeral beyond those hills. Stopped for dinner with a young friend of mine whose ranch is just beyond that swell yonder.... Fine boy; Bayard, Bruce Bayard."
Ann wanted to ask him more about the rancher, but somehow she could not trust herself; she felt that her voice would be uncertain, for one thing. Some unnamed shyness, too, held her from questioning him now.
They stopped before the hotel and the man said:
"My name is Weyl. I am the clergy of Yavapai. If you are to be here long, I'm sure Mrs. Weyl would like to see you. She is in Prescott for a week or two now."
He put out his hand, and, as she clasped it, Ann said, scarcely thinking:
"I am Ann Lytton. I arrived last night and may be here some time."
She saw a quick look of pain come into his readable eyes and felt his finger tighten on hers.
"Oh, yes!" he said, in a manner that made her catch her breath. "I know.... Your brother, isn't it, the young miner?"
At that the woman started and merely to escape further painful discussion, unthinkingly clouding her own identity, replied,
"Well, if you're to be here long we will see you, surely. And if there's anything I can do for you, please ask it."
"You're very kind," she said, as she turned from him.
In her room she stood silent a moment, palms against her cheeks. Bayard's words came back to her: