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Percy just laughed some more, at Albie’s stricken misery than anything else. “Like she can talk. I’ve heard the noises coming out of their room.”
“Oh god,” Albie said, shrinking back. “Please don’t ever say that to her. For the love of a merciful god.”
Percy laughed so hard he snorted. Then he nodded to the plate and opened his mouth. “Some?”
Albie frowned. “You’re going to make me spoon-feed you?”
“Want me to tell Elsie you refused?”
He growled at Percy, but then scooped up a spoonful and fed it to him. “This may be my ship, but why do I feel like I’m not the captain? Heck, I’m not even second in command.”
Percy laughed some more, then opened his mouth for more food. Albie, of course, complied.
“Do you feel better?” he asked quietly. “Does the bath help?”
“Much. Though I’ve decided we need to practice more so I become accustomed to it.”
“Oh god,” Albie mumbled, his cheeks reddening. “Elsie put butter on the table and I almost died. How could she know that?” He shook his head, still clearly mortified. “I’m so grateful you weren’t there to see it.”
Percy burst out laughing. “I’ll ask for a double serving tonight.”
“Please don’t. Not in front of Des and Robert. I’ll die on the spot.”
Percy laughed some more, then opened his mouth for more stew.
* * *
The bath did his body wonders and Percy was feeling almost back to normal by supper time. He’d managed some chores in the afternoon while Albie took a bath after him, and by the time Des and Robert got back, it was barely time for them to wash up a little and sit down for dinner.
Percy told them all about their time in town, at the store, the bank, and then at the saloon where Bill Kelly had intervened. Then this morning at the saleyard and how McAllister’s respect held so much water in this town. Right or wrong, like it or not. It was proved today.
“Respect is one thing,” Des said quietly. “Trust is another.”
Robert nodded. “He’d sell his own mother if he thought it put him in front.”
“I’m not sure I hold much of either for him,” Albie said thoughtfully. “Respect, maybe. That he can run a business, make a profit. That takes grit out here. But trust him? No.”
“He only makes a profit by undercutting anyone who comes close,” Robert added. “People don’t respect him. They fear him. And that’s not a bed I’d wanna lie in.”
“True,” Percy allowed. “But those good-for-nothing men at the saloon now look at Albie a bit differently.”
Des pointed his fork at Percy as he chewed and swallowed his food. “They respect Bill Kelly. That’s true. He’s tough as nails, but he’s not always fair. He knows who pays his wages, so that’s where his loyalty lies. But he’s more honourable than McAllister, that’s for sure.”
Percy didn’t entirely agree with that, but he could appreciate Des’s perspective. When Percy thought of Albie and how much he respected him, and how much Des and Robert respected him, he wasn’t entirely sure it was because Albie paid their wages.
It was because he was an honourable man.
An honest man.
And that’s what McAllister wasn’t.
“Those men at the saloon can’t think for themselves,” Robert added. “I should know; I was one of them for a long time. They have a mob mentality, follow the herd, and do whatever will get them in favour for another beer. Don’t go thinking too much of their opinions.”
They were quiet for half a minute while they ate, and Des seemed to be thinking hard about something. “Speaking of a mob,” he said quietly. “That mob of brumbies was back.”
Percy and Albie both shot him a look. “When?” Percy asked.
“Just this afternoon,” Des answered.
