"Here," Mrs. Kimmelmann said. "I have packed some sandwiches inside and a couple of pieces of my apple pie. Lord knows what you will find to eat between here and Denver."
My mother looked at Mrs. Kimmelmann and Aida and rose slowly from her chair.
"I want to thank you both for looking after William," she said. "In his letters, he mentioned your kindness."
"Billy is a good lad, Mrs. Battles," she said. "I am sure all this bad business will be straightened out eventually. We will miss him."
"Yes, we will," Aida said. "You are a true friend, Billy."
I rose from my chair and extended my hand to Mrs. Kimmelmann. "Thanks for everything," I said.
Then, turning to Aida, I extended my hand to her as well. But she didn't take it. Instead, she walked up to me and said, "Pshaw! You are like a br
