The look of surprise on my face was real. How did he know? Had Mama told him? "I hope you're not getting overfriendly with him," he cautioned. "What is that supposed to mean?" "I think you know." "Well, damn." "Don't use foul language with me." And there he was, in an instant, up on his high horse. And there is nothing you can do about it when Landon gets up on his high horse, except wait until he is ready to get down. "You were the one who said we were supposed to make him feel at home." "His spirits are low, Claire Louise. And with good reason. He misses home. He doesn't know what's coming next. He's like a man drowning. He'll accept any rope thrown to him. Right now I'm that rope. Don't take it away from him." Whatever that meant, it was an order as if it had come straight down from General Grant. And the look in Landon's eyes was the seal on the order. I nodded and we parted. Maybe, I thought, maybe I should do it tonight. I allowed the idea to tantalize me until I could stand it no more.
