They stood at the door looking into each other's eyes--hers flashing, his stupid. A choking sound came from the cradle. Mamie stepped softly across the room and set the cradle rocking gently. Then she bent over it, patting the little blanket and whispering. Hunch stood watching her. She pressed her cheek to the face on the pillow, then suddenly stood up. Her face grew white. She looked at Hunch, and he tiptoed across the room and bent over the cradle. The baby's face was white. He touched the face with his finger. It was cold. Mamie sank into a chair. She was still looking at him. He said awkwardly, “I'll get Bruce.” His hat had dropped to the floor and he picked it up and tiptoed back to the door. He opened it and turned. Mamie had thrown herself across the cradle, and he went out without speaking. He found Bruce in Herve's saloon and sent him home. CHAPTER VIII--SETTING A DAY |HUNCH took charge of the funeral. After it was over, and while the man was closing the casket, he stepped to the front porch for a breath of air. Jess Bartlett had lingered after the service, and now stood alone on the steps. Hunch hesitated in the doorway. He had not thought of Jess during the last few days, and now he did not know what to say. But she was determined that he should speak first, so after an embarrassing silence he said, “Hello, Jess.” She turned away. “Ain't you going to speak to me, Jess.” “I don't see as I ought to speak to you.” Hunch looked at her helplessly, and when, after a minute, she turned and saw his expression, she partly relented. “When are you coming to see me again?” “You know why I ain't been 'round, Jess.” “I waited for you the other night. You said you were coming.” “I know it, Jess. I'm sorry. Can't I come to-night?” “I s'pose you can if you want to.” They could not say any more, for it was time to start the carriages. But early in the evening Hunch went to her house, and they walked to the lake? They found it hard to talk. Hunch finally blurted out, “I'm going to get the ring next week. It's a pretty one, I think.” He felt her arm tremble, but she said nothing. “I guess you're mad at me, ain't you?” “No, I ain't mad.” “Why don't you say something, Jess?” She came closer to him as they walked. “John, I wish--I wish we could get married. Somehow I don't feel as if you belonged to me. I know it's silly, but I can't help it.” “How soon can you get ready?” “I--I wasn't thinking of it just that way--I----” “Is next month too soon?” She looked up at him and laughed softly. Their eyes met and they understood each other better. They walked down the beach and looked out over the flat lake. “I'm afraid we'll have to live kind of simple for a while,” Hunch said. “I ain't very rich, you know.”