AN APOLOGY AND A THREAT "Here, here, here!" roared the doctor in a commanding voice.

"What you-all trying to do here?
Haven't you got trouble enough on hand without looking for more, Jed Thompson?
Give me that gun." The doctor recovered the fallen rifle, drew the cartridges from its magazine, dropped them in his pocket and stood the gun in a corner.
Elfreda lowered her weapon, but did not immediately return it to its holster under her blouse.
"Thank you," she said, smiling over at the doctor.
"Listen to me, Jed," ordered the doctor.

"These young women came here to see what they could do for Sue and Liz.

If they hadn't, Liz probably would be dead this minute.

They saved her life, Jed Thompson.