Callista glanced keenly sidewise at him where he lay inert. The weeks of their separation were now running into months. What these had done to Lance grieved her generosity and flattered her pride. Always lean and bright eyed, there was now a painful appearance about the extreme fleshlessness of jaw and temple, the over-brilliance of the eye in its deeply hollowed orbit. Sight of what he had suffered for her and by her softened Callista's voice to tenderness when she spoke. "We'll fix it for you to rest after dinner," she told him positively. "I can set out at the mouth of the cave, so you will be easy in your mind; then you'll get some good sleep." Lance accepted this as indicating that she was [365] very willing to be rid of him and his talk. It was what might be expected. He asked her a question or two and relapsed into silence. Presently, noticing that his eyes were not closed, she gave him some additional news. "The baby's about to walk," she said. "He's a-pullin' up by the chairs all the time, and he can go from one person to another, if they'll hold out they' hands." A swift contraction passed over Lance's features at the picture her words called up. "Haven't got him named yet?" he suggested huskily. The color flared warm on Callista's face as she bent to the fire. "I--why--Gran'pappy's an old man, and I'm the onliest grandchild he's got. He always was powerful kind to me; and the baby--why, he just--" "You've called the boy Ajax," supplied Lance, in that tired voice which now was his. "That's a good name." While she cooked the "fine dinner" their talk blew idly across the surface of deeps which both dreaded. "Pore Roxy!" Lance said musingly. "Hit was mighty kind of her to send me her gospel quilt." From her work at the fire Callista answered him. [366] "Your sister Roxy thinks a heap o' you, Lance; you needn't never to doubt it. Course she does, or she wouldn't always have been pickin' at you." Lance lay tensely quiescent a moment, then he questioned softly, "Is that a sign?" Callista glanced at him a bit startled; but the long lashes veiled his eyes, and the face was indecipherable. "Roxy was bound and determined to come here in my place," she observed. "I reckon I'd never 'a' got the word where you was hid out if it hadn't 'a' been for her. Sylvane wouldn't tell her, and she come to me about it. Sis' Roxy has a kind heart under her sharp speech." From beneath those shadowing lashes Lance looked long and curiously at her, but made no response. After the meal was served and eaten with a sort of subdued enjoyment, they continued silent, glancing furtively at each other, Callista a bit uneasy, and most urgent that he should try to rest.