"I'm glad to see you, Mrs. Wetherford," Eleanor said, with the courtesy which was instinctive with her.
"I'm mightily obliged for the chance to come," replied Lize. "I told Reddy--I mean the Supervisor--that you didn't want no old-timer like me, but he said 'Come along,' and Lee she fixed me out, and here I am." She uttered this with a touch of her well-known self-depreciation, but she was by no interpretation sordid or common.
She did, indeed, show Lee's care, and her manner, while manifestly formed upon Lee's instructions, was never ludicrous. She was frankly curious about the house and its pretty things, and swore softly in her surprise and pleasure. "Think of an old cow-boss like me living up to these jimmy-cracks!" As they went to their room together, she made a confession: "The thing that scares me worst is _eating_. I've et at the Alma times enough, but to handle a fork here with El'nor Redfield lookin' on! Great peter! ain't there some way of takin' my meals out in the barn? I wouldn't mind you and Ross and Reddy--it's the missis."
Ross had not yet arrived at the cabin, but Redfield had warned Lee not to expect him till after dark. "He probably slept late, and, besides, there are always delays on the trail. But don't worry. Swenson will ride to the top of the divide with him, and if it seems necessary will come all the way."
This feeling of anxiety helped to steady Lize, and she got through the meal very well. She was unwontedly silent, and a little sad as well as constrained. She could see that Lee fitted in with these surroundings, that she was at home with shining silver and dainty dishes, and she said to herself: "I could have been something like her if I'd had any sort o' raisin', but it's too late now. But oh, Lord! wouldn't Ed like to see her now!"
It was not yet dark when they came out on the veranda to meet the doctor, who had come to meet Ross, and Lee's anxiety led her to say: "Can't we go up to the cabin and wait for him there?"
"I was about to propose that," replied Redfield. "Shall we walk?"
Lee was instant in her desire to be off, but Lize said: "I never was much on foot and now I'm hoof-bound. You go along, and I'll sit on the porch here and watch."