Cassandra Austin by Hero Of The Flint Hills

pronounced a loud “Amen.”
    Emily echoed him quickly and slid her napkin into her lap.
    Lynnette gave her and Christian no more than a quick glance, afraid she would laugh aloud if either of them so much as grinned at her. Instead she turned to Arlen beside her. The urge to laugh quickly fled.
    Arlen’s expression wasn’t quite sour. Embarrassed perhaps, or disgusted, better described it. He appeared to watch Martha set the plates of thinly sliced beef and thick slabs of bread on the table. Christian and Arlen reached for the plate of meat at the same time. Christian held on with both hands, and Arlen gave it up, rolling his eyes.
    The moment they heard the kitchen door close behind Martha, Arlen spoke softly. “Quit acting like children.” He looked from Christian to Emily and back. “Our guest isn’t used to such foolishness.”
    “I don’t mind, really,” Lynnette said, then realized she probably shouldn’t be arguing with Arlen. “That is, they were just having some fun.”
    “You’re too forgiving,” Arlen murmured. He gave her an adoring look that disconcerted her more than his earlier irritation. She turned away to take the plate Emily passed her.
    Martha returned with a tray full of assorted pickles and relishes. The family quietly made their sandwiches until this last tray reached Lynnette. Arlen held the tray and told her what each was and recommended a mild relish and a sweet cucumber pickle. A few he dismissed with a warning that they were spicy. Lynnette wanted to try a little of each one, but with Arlen holding the tray, it seemed to take too long. Instead she took a sample of three and hoped the tray would come around again.
    The atmosphere seemed strained after Arlen’s scolding, and Lynnette was relieved when Emily asked her brothers what their plans were for the afternoon.
    Arlen explained that he had a few letters to write, and Christian said he was going to ride out and meet their father.
    “How will you find him?” Lynnette asked. From Arlen’s startled look, she decided it must have been a stupid question.
    “He’s checking the water levels on all the ponds and streams,” Christian said. “We talked about his route before he left. I’ll circle around the opposite direction, and we’ll meet wherever we meet.”
    “Will it take all afternoon?” Emily asked.
    “I doubt it. Pa could probably make the rounds himself before dark. It’s just that he’s not used to spending the day in the saddle anymore.”
    Emily grinned. “Did he just say Papa is old and decrepit? I think that’s what he said.”
    “I’ll deny it if you tell him,” Christian said.
    “Perry would normally do it, but he broke his leg last fall,” Arlen said.
    Lynnette nodded, feeling it wasn’t necessary to tell him that Christian had already explained about Perry’s leg.
    “So,” Emily asked Christian, “how long do you think it’ll take before you meet Papa?”
    Christian grinned at his sister. “Did you need me for something this afternoon?”
    “No,” she said quickly. “I just wanted to know what everyone was planning. Lynnette, what are you doing this afternoon?”
    Before Lynnette could chew and swallow the bite of sandwich she had just taken, Arlen answered for her. “I’m sure she will want to rest after her ordeal this morning.”
    Lynnette wanted to protest that while she might feel tired later, she would surely be able to spend some time with Emily. Emily, however, didn’t seem disappointed that everyone would be busy. She announced that she would spend the afternoon in her room reading. A few minutes later she excused herself and scampered up the stairs. Christian looked after her with narrowed eyes.
    Arlen didn’t notice anything amiss with his sister. He turned to Lynnette. “As soon as you’re finished, you should go up and lie down. I’ll get what I need out of my desk now and do my writing in Father’s study.” He stood and bent closer to Lynnette. “Will you need help