The two of us were alone; Lord Tom had not yet come in for breakfast, and Daniel was apparently still asleep. “I told you what McKenna said about those German collectors up north.” Junius spoke lightly, but I tensed, already knowing where this would lead, where it had led a hundred times before. “Yes,” I said warily. “Maybe we should go too. Sell the claim and the whacks. Try something new for a change.” He glanced up at me, a soft plea in his eyes. But I’d seen that expression so often it only left me weary. “Junius—” “Yes, I know.” He sighed. “You don’t want to go. Well, you can’t blame a man for trying.” No, I couldn’t, though his restlessness had always troubled me. Itchy feet, as Daniel had said. I had always thought that Junius’s continuing to stay in a place he hated was evidence of how much he loved me. But now I heard Daniel’s voice, a needling whisper, “My guess is that it’s something else...” I pushed the thought away. It had been an insult only, meant to wound.
