Sinth turned and hurried into the cook-tent. It was curious that she,
who had raised her voice against the camp whenever a new plan had
been proposed, who had seen nothing but folly, one would think, in its
erection or their life in it, should now lean her head upon the table
and sob as if her dearest possession had been taken away. The Emperor
followed and sat down at the table, his faded crown of felt hanging over
one ear--a dejected and sorrowful creature.
"D-don't," he said, tenderly.
The children stood with open mouths peering in at the door. Sinth's
emotion slowly subsided.
"You've worked so, Silas," Sinth moaned, as she sat wiping her eyes.
"You've had to carry ev'rything in here on your back."
After all, it had been a tender thought of him which had inspired all
her scolding and her weeping. He had always known the truth, but he
alone of all the many who had falsely judged her had known it. Strong
sat looking down soberly in the silence that followed. His voice
trembled a little when he spoke.
"G-got 'nother house," said he, calmly. His voice sank to a whisper as
he added, "Couldn't b-bear t' see it t-tore down."
Failing to understand, she looked up at him.
"Myself," he added, as he rose and smote his chest with his heavy right
hand. He explained in a moment--"M-Migley wanted t' b-buy me."
He put his hand on his sister's head and said, "B-better times." After a
little silence he added, "You s-see."
He left her sitting with her head leaning on her hand in deep and
sorrowful meditation. He had built a fire in the stove and got their
supper well under way before she joined him.
While Sinth was making her tearful protest, the children sat on a log
outside the door and were much depressed.
"Somebody's gone and done something to her album," Sue whispered. The
album was, in her view, the storm-centre of the camp.
After Strong had gone to work getting supper ready the two came
stealthily to the knees of their aunt.
"Aunt Sinthy," Socky whispered.
"What?" she asked, turning and beginning to smooth his hair with her
hand.
"I'm going to buy you a new album." He spoke in a low, tentative,
troubled tone. The boy's resources would seem to be equal to every need.
Sinth shook with silent laughter. In a moment she kissed the boy and
girl and drew them to her breast with a little moan of fondness. Then
she rose and went to help her brother.
A little before sundown they heard the report of a rifle which had
been fired within a mile of camp. Strong stood listening and could hear
distant voices. He walked down the trail and returned in half an hour.
"It's B-Business," he said to Sinth. "His army is c-comin'."