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share the joke with her ranching hosts.

Chapter Two
    N ORA’S UNCLE WAS HOME in time for the evening meal, looking dusty and tired, but as robust and pleasant as ever. He welcomed her with his old enthusiasm. Later, while they sat together at the table, he passed along some worrying news to his family.
    â€œThere was some gossip today, about the West Texas combine not being pleased with my handling of the property. A visiting businessman from El Paso said that he knows the Culhanes and they have not gotten the results they expected from me,” Chester told the others, grimacing at his wife’s expression. “They must remember that I would have lost this ranch myself if they had not bought it—”
    â€œBecause of the low prices people were paying for our beef and produce,” his wife argued. “There is not enough money in circulation, and people are not buying agricultural products in enough quantity to letus make a profit. The Populists have tried so hard to effect change. And we have, after all, read that William J. Bryan has been nominated by the Populists to run against McKinley. He is a good man and tireless. Perhaps some changes will be made to benefit those of us in agriculture.”
    â€œPerhaps so, but that will hardly change our situation, my dear,” Chester said heavily.
    â€œChester, they would not have let you manage the ranch for so long had they not had confidence in you. You are not responsible for low market prices.”
    â€œIt might not seem that way to a wealthy family.” He glanced at his niece placatingly. “Not yours, my dear. The family I’m worried about is from West Texas, and the father and sons head the combine. The Culhanes are a second-generation ranching family—old money. I understand from Simmons that they don’t approve of the fact that I haven’t adopted any of the machinery available to help plant and harvest crops. I am not, as they say, moving quickly into the twentieth century.”
    â€œHow absurd,” Nora said. “These new machines may be marvelous, of course, but they are also very expensive, aren’t they? And with people needing work so badly, why incorporate machinery to take away jobs?”
    â€œYou make sense, my dear, but I must do as I am told,” he said sadly. “I don’t know how they learned so much about the way I run the ranch when no representative has been here to see me. I could lose my position,” he said starkly.
    â€œBut where would we go if you did?” his wife asked plaintively. “This is our home.”
    â€œMother, don’t fret,” Melly said gently. “Nothing is happening right now. Don’t borrow trouble.”
    But Helen looked worried. So did Chester. Nora put down her coffee cup and smiled at them.
    â€œIf worse comes to worst, I shall ask Mother and Father to help out,” she said.
    She was unprepared for her uncle’s swift anger. “Thank you, but I do not require charity from my wife’s relations back East,” he said curtly.
    Nora’s eyebrows rose. “But, Uncle Chester, I only meant that my parents would offer assistance if you wished them to.”
    â€œI can provide for my own family,” he said tersely. “I know that you mean well, Eleanor, but this is my problem. I shall handle it.”
    â€œOf course,” she replied, taken aback by his unexpected antagonism.
    â€œNora only meant to offer comfort,” Helen chided him gently.
    He calmed at once. “Yes, of course,” he said, and with a sheepish smile. “I do beg your pardon, Nora. It is not a happy time for me. I spoke out of frustration. Forgive me.”
    â€œCertainly, I do. I only wish that I could help,” she replied sincerely.
    He shook his head. “No, I shall find a way to placate the owners. I must. Even if it means seeking new methods of securing a profit,” he added under his breath.
    Nora noticed