He slumped down into his chair and leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees, his fingers clasped loosely.

After a little he tilted his head and looked up at her.
"You better go to bed," he told her stolidly.

"And if you're going to live at the Quirt, Raine, you'll have to learn to keep your mouth shut.
I ain't blaming you--but you told too much to Al Woodruff.

Don't talk to him no more, if he comes here when I'm gone." He put out a hand, beckoning her to him, sorry for his harshness.

Lorraine went to him and knelt beside him, slipping an arm around his neck while she hid her face on his shoulder.
"I won't be a nuisance, dad--really, I won't," she said.