time. His
forces
were
scattered,
while
Molly’s
were
concentrated.
The girl
was not at
that point
where
absence
makes the
heart grow
fonder.
While the
Virginian
was
trundling
his long,
responsible
miles in
the
caboose,
delivering
the cattle
at
Chicago,
vanquishing
Trampas
along the
Yellowstone,
she had
regained
herself.
Thus it
was that
she could
tell him
so easily
during
those
first
hours that
they were
alone
after his
return, “I
expect to
