"Julian."

"Sorry, Lizzie. I'll try to look on the bright side for your sake."

They sat down around the food, and ate. Conversation was handled primarily by Kitty and Julian, who laughed and talked of everything that was of no interest to Elizabeth at all. Kitty was very animated, and it occurred to Elizabeth that while she may have once had hopes of Richard Todd, she had now most obviously shifted her attentions to Julian. Which was a very sad thing, for Elizabeth knew her brother well, and was sure he would not attach himself to Kitty. If he ever married, it would be a move calculated to make him comfortable, something not possible with Kitty. She wondered if there was any way for her to make Julian aware of the dangerous game he was playing, and then she realized that he knew full well. It was only the danger that interested him, after all.

"When will you be starting up the school, then?" Kitty was asking.

"It is most kind of you to take an interest. I think I can call school to session on Monday next.

"Oh, good," said Katherine. "That's good news, isn't it, Julian? You see, your brother and I wanted to talk to you about going to Johnstown. It's been two months or more since I've been, and I would like to see my friends the Bennetts, and see about fabric—"

"I can't go away, not now," interrupted Elizabeth.

"Oh, come along," said Julian, waving a hand in dismissal. "You need a little holiday before you start in on teaching, don't you think? A few days away might be just the thing."

While she ate, Elizabeth considered, letting them talk about the trip without committing herself. It was clear that Julian considered this trip to Johnstown a necessity; he would go, whether or not she came along. If she did accompany him, she might be able to keep him from getting into trouble. When Julian had spent or lost his own funds, he would appeal to her, or write notes on his father's credit.

Without her company, Kitty Witherspoon could not go to Johnstown, either. It was not possible for her to travel with Julian unaccompanied.

"I gather Father does not fancy a trip to Johnstown," Elizabeth said. "Or you would not be asking me."

"Oh, now you have struck me to the heart." Julian grinned. "Of course I would ask you. Who else could keep me out of trouble? So you will come?"

There was a soft knock at the door, and thankful for this interruption, Elizabeth jumped up immediately as the door opened.

"Many-Doves ," she said, surprised and a little flustered. "Abigail. How nice to see you. Do come in." Julian rose as the young woman came into the room, but neither he nor Katherine came forward.

"May I—" began Elizabeth, and then stopped, wondering how best to introduce her.

Many-Doves pushed her hood from her head and stepped toward them of her own accord, offering her hand.

"Good day, Miz Katherine."

Kitty nodded primly, her mouth turned down at one corner. In vexation at this interruption, or dislike, Elizabeth could not tell.

"My name is Many-Doves ," she said in her low voice, extending her hand to Julian. "But please do call me Abigail if you prefer."

Elizabeth tensed, waiting for Julian's reaction, and then looked into his face and was taken by surprise. Her brother was looking down at Many-Doves with a slightly puzzled expression. Absent from his face was any trace of hostility or amusement, two emotions which seemed to rule him at most times.

"Many-Doves suits you better," he said, and he smiled as Elizabeth had not seen him smile since he was a young boy.

* * *

When Many-Doves had accepted the seat offered to her as well as a bit of their lunch, a sudden and awkward silence followed. Uncharacteristically quiet, Julian let Katherine and Elizabeth tend to the conversation without his assistance. Many-Doves seemed to be content to sit and listen, although her attention shifted constantly to the bookshelves.

More nervous and agitated than usual, Katherine continued to look to Julian for confirmation and approval after every statement or question, but Julian himself was distracted. He kept his eyes on a piece of corn bread, which he slowly dismantled, grain by grain. Katherine was forced to carry on by herself; she addressed her comments primarily to Elizabeth, but then seemed to consider, and turned to Many-Doves .

"Julian and I were just talking to Elizabeth about a trip to Johnstown. We were hoping that she would join us for a few days. She seems to think that her school will suffer if she calls it to session later than she hoped."

"My family is going down the Sacandaga," said Many-Doves , causing both Elizabeth and Julian to look up suddenly. "Tomorrow."

"You are?" asked Katherine, amazed. "All of you?"

"No, not all." Many-Doves was suddenly uncomfortable, as if she had said too much. "Hawkeye and his father will stay behind to—" There was a slight pause in which Elizabeth imagined many things. "To look after the traps."

"What reason is there for all of you to travel so far in the winter?" asked Julian, speaking for the first time, but keeping his gaze fixed on his plate.

"The Uncle has come to announce the Midwinter Ceremony," Many-Doves said, although she did not explain what she meant by the Uncle. "We'll go to the long house of the Turtle on the Big Vly."

"How long will you be gone?" asked Elizabeth, feeling something strange and hollow when she thought of Nathaniel being away.

"Five days, I think, altogether." She turned to Elizabeth. "What I came to say was that Hannah will not be here if you plan to start school next week, but my mother gives me leave to say that we will come the week after."