They were quiet after a minute or so, and he did not call again.
The Kid was six, and he was big for his age; but he looked very little, there alone in that deep coulee that was really more like a canyon--very little and lonesome and as if he needed his Doctor Dell to take him on her lap and rock him.

It was just about the time of day when Doctor Dell always rocked him and told him stories--about the Happy Family, maybe.
The Kid hated to be suspected of baby ways, but he loved these tunes, when his legs were tired and his eyes wanted to go shut, and Doctor Dell laid her cheek on his hair and called him her baby man.

Nobody knew about these times--that was most always in the bed room and the boys couldn't hear.
The Kid's lips quivered a little.

Doctor Dell would be surprised when he didn't show up for supper, he guessed.

He turned to Silver and to his man ways, because he did not like to think about Doctor Dell just right now.
"Well, old feller, I guess you want your saddle off, huh ?" he quavered, and slapped the horse upon the shoulder.