"It's all right, Ricky. I'm just pinned in. If I don't try to move I'm
safe." Quickly he tried to reassure her.
"Val, don't lie to me now--you're hurt!"
"It's not bad, really, Ricky--"
"Oh!" There was a single small cry and a moment of utter silence and
then a hurried rustling.
"Here." Her hand groped for his head. "I've wadded up my cape. Can I
slip it under your head?"
"Better not try just yet. Anything might send off the landslide again.
Just--just give me a minute or two to--to sort of catch my breath."
Catch his breath, when every sobbing gasp he drew was a stab!
"Can't we--can't I lift some of the stuff off?" she asked.
"No. Too risky."
"But--but we can't stay here--" Her voice trailed off and it was then
that she must have realized for the first time just what had happened to
them.
"I'm afraid we'll have to, Ricky," said her brother quietly.
"But, Val--Val, what if--if--"
"If we aren't found?" he put her fear into words. "But we will be.
Rupert is doubtless moving a large amount of earth right now to
accomplish that."
"Rupert doesn't know where we are." She had regained control of both
voice and spirit. "We--we may never be found, Val."
"I was a fool," he stated plainly a fact which he now knew to be only
too true.
"I would have come even if you hadn't, Val," she answered generously and
untruthfully. It was perhaps the kindest thing she had ever said.
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