But he would have called up if he hadn't intended to come.

A little thing like hanging up her receiver would not bother him, she argued, and a little obstacle like long-distance toll never occurred to Mary V, whose idea of poverty was vague indeed.
He must have started this morning, at the latest.

And he should have been here before now.

To make sure that he had not come while she slept Mary V went to a window overlooking the open space between the house and corrals.

It was empty, but to make doubly sure she asked Bedelia.