Chapter 57

My answer seemed to satisfy the boy. He gave a jaw-cracking yawn.

“Ee-yuen-kahn. I told him to go to bed in Lakota. “You’ve had a long journey. Did you tell anyone before you left?”

“Just John. You know, so Cuthan wouldn’t worry.”

“I should send you back tomorrow to tell him of your intent to his face. You have told it to his back in a sneaky way.” At Matthew’s stricken look, I added, “You can tell him when you return home after helping me break a new field.”

Matthew gave a tired smile. “I’ll do that. Where’s my bed?”

“You can throw down your blankets by the stove or join me in the bed.”

“Bed’s softer,” Matthew rose and slipped his suspenders over his shoulders. He stumbled across the room. “Where does the major sleep when he’s here?”

I did not answer, but it didn’t matter. The boy’s head had barely hit the pillow before sleep rendered him unconscious. 18