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policeman he met and say； 'I done the deed。 Carry me to the pen！' he'd say；
and then what would become of me？〃
〃He might get another letter from your Cousin Martha to help him out
of the scrape。〃
Lahoma stared at him； unable to grasp the significance of these foolish
words； and Brick； seeking a diversion； explained his purpose of taking
Lahoma to the settlements after supplies； and proffered his petition that
Bill Atkins accompany them。
Lahoma has never forgotten that expedition to the settlements。 Along
the Chisholm Trail marched Brick Willock and Bill Atkins； one full of
genial philosophy； responsive to every sight and sound along the way； the
other taciturn and uncompanionable； a being present in the flesh； but
seemingly absent in the spirit。 Behind them rode the girl； with unceasing
interest in the broad hard…beaten trailthe only mark in that wilderness to
tell them that others had passed that way。 The men walked with deliberate
but well…measured step； preserving a pace that carried them mile after mile
seemingly with little weariness。 Three times on the journey great herds of
cattle were encountered on their way toward Kansas； and many were the
looks of curiosity cast on the little girl sitting as straight as an Indian on
her pony。
She was glad when a swinging cloud of dust announced the coming of
thousands of steers； attended by cowboys； for it meant a glimpse into an
unknown world； and the bellowing of cattle； the shouting of men and the
cracking of whips stirred her blood。 But she was glad； too； when the
stream of life had flowed past； and she was left alone with Brick and Bill；
for then the never…ending conversation with the former was resumed；
picked up at the point where it had been dropped； or drawn forward from
raveled bits of unfinished discourse of the day before； and though Bill
Atkins said almost nothing and always looked straight ahead； he was； in a
way； spice in the feast of her enjoyment。
When they stopped for their meals； they drew aside from the trail； if
possible near some spring or river…bed in which pools of water lingered；
but such stopping…places were far apart in the desert country。 At night
there was a cheerful bonfire； followed by zestful talk as they lay on the
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ground； before falling asleep in their tarpaulinstalk eagerly monopolized
by Brick and Lahoma； and to which Atkins seemed in a manner to listen；
perhaps warming his heart at the light of their comradeship even as they
warmed their hands in the early morning at the breakfast fire。 Atkins had
brought with him one of his books； and at the noon hour's rest； and at
evening beside the bonfire； he kept his nose buried in its pages。
Lahoma did not think life would have been too long to devote to such
pilgrimages。 In the settlements； she was bewildered； but never satiated；
with novelties； and on the way back； everything she had seen was
discussed； expounded and classified between her and her 〃cousin。〃
Sometimes her questions drove Brick up against a stone wall and then Bill
Atkins would raise his voice and in three or four words put the matter in
its true light。
〃Bill； he's saw more of life than me；〃 Brick conceded admiringly。 〃He
has come and went amongst all sorts of people； but my specialty has in the
main been low。〃
〃Yes； I've seen more of life；〃 Atkins agreed； 〃that's why I try so hard to
keep away from it。〃
〃The more I see； the more I want to see！〃 cried Lahoma eagerly。 〃Yes；
honey；〃 Brick explained； 〃that's because you're a WOMAN。〃
Once more back in the cove； Lahoma dreamed new dreams； peopling
the grassy solitude with the figures she had encountered on her travels；
likening the rocks to various houses that had caught her fancy。 She turned
with absorbed interest to the primer and elementary arithmetic with which
Brick had supplied himself as the first tools for his mental kit。
The journey hack home had been far easier than the descent into Texas
because both Willock and Atkins had supplied themselves with ponies；
animals that sold ridiculously cheap at the outlying posts of the
settlements。 Brick Willock brought back with him something else to add
cheerfulness and usefulness to approaching winter。 This was a square
window…sash； set with four small panes of good glass。 It was hard work to
place this window in Lahoma's side of the dugout； but it was work
thoroughly enjoyed。 Lahoma's room was on the west； and from noon to
sundown； the advantage of the window was a source of never…ending
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delight。
〃Good thing we've got our window；〃 Brick would say as they sat on
the low rude bench before the little stove； and the furious wind of January
howled overhead。 Or； when the wintry sky was leaden and all Brick's side
of the partition was as dark as the hole of a prairie…dog； he would visit
Lahoma； and gloat over the dim gray light stealing through the small
panes。 〃That window's no bad idea！〃 he would chuckle； stooping his great
bulk cautiously as he seated himself； as if to lighten his weight by
doubling in upon himself。
〃Good thing I've got my window；〃 Lahoma would say as the snow lay
thick on the plains and in broken lines all over the mountain； and the
cutting blast made the fire jump with sudden fright。 She would hold her
book close to the dirt square in which the frame was planted； and spell out
words she had never heard used； such as 〃lad；〃 〃lass；〃 〃sport；〃 and the like
mysteries。 〃This window is going to civilize me； Brick。〃
It did not lessen their relish in the subject that they had discussed it
already a hundred times。 It was the same way with the hand…made bench；
with the trench that carried water from their door during sudden
downpours； and with the self…congratulation over owning two ponies to
keep each other company。
〃They's one thing about us； Lahoma； which it ain't according to the big
outside world； and yet I hope it won't never be changed。 We are mighty
glad we've got what we've got。 And to be glad of what you've got is a sure
way to multiply your property。 Every time you brag on that window； it
shines like two windows to me。〃
Spring came late that year； and in the early days of March； Brick rode
over to the cove behind the precipice after Bill Atkins。 〃I want you to
come over to my place；〃 he begged； 〃and answer some of Lahoma's
questions。 Being closeted with her in that there dugout all winter； she has
pumped me as dry as a bone。〃
Perhaps Bill Atkins had had his fill of solitude during that cold winter…
…or perhaps he was hungry for another hour of the little girl's company。
Nothing； however； showed his satisfaction as he entered her chamber。
〃Here I am；〃 he announced； seating himself on the bench。 This was his
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only greeting。
〃Is it drug or dragged？〃 demanded Lahoma。
〃Dragged。〃
〃Why don't God send me a little girl to play with； after me asking for
one every night； all winter？〃
〃Don't understand God's business；〃 replied Atkins briefly。
〃I puts it this way；〃 Brick spoke up； 〃God's done sent one little girl；
and it ain't right to crowd Him too far。〃
〃Will I be all they is of me； as long as I live？〃
〃Nobody won't never come to live in these plains；〃 Brick declared；
〃unless its trappers and characters like us。 But we'll stay by you； won't we；
Bill Atkins？〃
Atkins looked exceedingly gruff and shook his head as if he had his
doubts about it。 〃You'll have to be taken to the States；〃 he declared。
〃But what would become of Brick？〃
〃Well； honey；〃 said Brick； 〃you want to take your place with people in
the big world； don't you？〃
〃Oh； YES！；〃 cried Lahoma； starting up and s