18360101 14:35:10

18360101 14:35:10

Though there were more bodies within the small cabin, the interior did not feel any warmer to Daron or Jesse. The silence which now sat in accompaniment only aggravated Daron's internal tension and concern. He already made a mistake by admitting to an "accident" in respect of Whitney. Now he had to be ready to answer the questions which assuredly would be asked - What kind of accident? How recently did it happen? Where did he go? Did he have an expected time to return?
"Perhaps we should make a proper introduction."
"What? An- oh. Yes. Yes, that would be a good thing to do at first here, yes." Her proposition caught Daron off guard. "Well, as I had said, I am Daron Hoobler, and this here is Jesse. I am his guardian, not his father. Nice to meet you all. Jesse?"
"Nice to meet you." Jesse nodded his head after making the echo.
"Very well. I am Mrs. Laurel Poole, and with me is my elder son Saul and younger daughter Marian. He is four years of age and she is three."
"Saul Poole, nice to meet you. Marian Poole, nice to meet you as well. Jesse, I think what you ought to do is go about some pickin and have these children be with you, and see if maybe they can learn a bit or help hold a bucket or something. OK?"
"Yes sir." Jesse promptly sat up from the chair and went to the door to begin making preparations to go outside. The Poole children remained in place and stared at their mother until she smiled and motioned her hand over to Jesse, telling them that they should go help Jesse out. Daron sought to get a few more moments to ponder. He imagined himself saying lines like "His accident happened while they were harvesting. That's why there's little food." He sought to get more time.
"Jesse - tell the children what you're going to do now." Daron kept his gaze upon Jesse as he went over meticulous detail about the kinds of berries and grasses he was about to look for, and how to know which ones to pick. He nodded reflexively as pauses came in Jesse's speech. He spoke when the silence resumed. "Good. Go with the Lord, young man. You children too." Jesse nodded and opened the door to step out, then held it open for the children to slowly walk after him until they were out of the cabin.
"Mister Hoobler - is there a particular reason why you were so eager to send the children away just now? Is there something of grave importance which could not be stated in front of my children?"
"Oh! No, Mrs. Poole. Heavens I should hope not, no. It's just that sunset approaches quickly and food is already stretched thin for this winter, and-"
"Is my husband dead?"
"Mrs. Poole, I last saw your husband alive when he left from here more than a week ago. I pray for his recovery. What his health is at this instant I cannot say for sure."
"Has he sent you any notification of where he is currently staying?" Her frame became increasingly stiff as she asked the questions. Her lips pursed together as her vision narrowed, and she felt pressure in her mouth and jaw slowly accumulate.
"No, madam. Unfortunately we do not regularly receive mail here."
"what kind of injury did he sustain?"
"I did. I didn't directly see what happened, Mrs. Poole, but when he cried for help, he was injured to an extent that he could not stand up on his own power. He was chopping wood at the time.
Laurel turned her head to the side in sullen disbelief. She has never known Whitney to be inaccurate or unsafe with his use of tools.

tbc --->