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Page 72
recently moved here." She busied herself straightening the food on her tray.
The scout went on. "Only Indians are to be allowed to settle west of the line, miss, to maintain the peace." He hesitated. "The actual line is not being maintained, but no settlement is allowed west of this area."
She seemed not to care for the wilderness, nor to know how to dwell within it. René wondered why she was here. Perhaps he would get her to talk. He himself liked to talk, and sometimes to listen.
With Thorn, he usually had only the opportunity to speak, for his employer kept his own counsel.
The man looked at Thorn. "I saw you are constructing a palisade wall. Have you Indian troubles?"
Thorn did, at least, respond to direct questionsusually. René relaxed now as his employer replied, "Not lately."
"Were you affected by Pontiac's uprising those five years back?" The man was persistent, and René feared Thorn would leave the table.
But, no. "I was burned out then," he said, the catch in his voice showing his irritation with the guest's prying.
The woman stared in what looked like surprise. Did she not know?
"I rebuilt everything quickly," Thorn continued, "except that I am just now getting to the palisade."
René was amazed by the length of this speech to the stranger. Thorn seldom kept conversation going so long.
"I'd of thought it should come first," the guest said.
Thorn drew in his breath audibly, causing René to cringe. "Perhaps," he agreeed, his teeth gritted. "But though its appearance makes guests feel more secure, one did not prevent the fire last time." He paused, apparently deciding upon a distraction, which he quickly found. René watched him look from the guest's empty plate to the woman, who stood watching.
She grew red, whether from embarrassment or anger René could not tell. "May I serve you gentlemen any more?" Her voice was clear and soft. The words were correct. But there

 
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