Some children were playing in the yard.

The way they ran at sight of Duane hinted of both the loneliness and the fear of their isolated lives.

Duane saw a woman come to the door, then a man.
The latter looked keenly, then stepped outside.

He was a sandy-haired, freckled Texan.
"Howdy, stranger," he called, as Duane halted.

"Get down, you an' your woman.