35 Gray Boar had a Housekeeper/Cook, but Mountain
Glory soon took over all cooking. She was extremely skilled, and loved
to make good food. The Housekeeper didn't mind being relieved of some
of the work.
36 Mountain Glory's room was next to Gray Boar's and had an adjoining
door, which she often kept ajar at night, alert for any distress.
37 One night she heard a strange noise, silently slipped from her bed,
pulling her automatic from its holster, Someone was climbing in the
window! By the time the person straightened up, the barrel of the
pistol was on the back of her neck.
38 "Not a sound," whispered Mountain Glory as she slid the window shut
and latched it. "Through the door, and be quiet!" When they were in her
own room and the door shut behind them, Mountain Glory snapped on the
light. She was confronted by a young woman several seasons younger than
herself.
39 "I suppose you've got a letter on you somewhere," whispered Mountain
Glory, "from your village?"
40 The girl nodded and started to reach inside her coat. But when the
automatic came back up again, she froze, staring at the end of the
barrel. "Sorry, honey," whispered Mountain Glory, "I'm not being fresh,
and I'm in no mood to call a man in here. STRIP!"
41 Terrified, the woman obeyed. When she was bare, Mountain Glory threw
her a robe, had her sit down in a chair, and went through her clothes.
She didn't expect to find any weapons, but had to be sure. Finally, she
uncocked the automatic, and put it back in its holster.
42 "Won't you poor little things ever learn?" she remarked. "I must put
two or three of you on the trains a week, and I'm getting damned tired
of it. Don't you realize I could have killed you? Or, one of the Guards
could have shot you?" The girl just looked innocent and whispered she
only wanted the honor.