You’re plumb addled, stealin’ off like this from a…

““You’re plumb addled, stealin’ off like this from a Comanche husband. Don’t you got an inklin’ of what he’ll do when he catches you?” “Beat me senseless, I reckon, which is why I’m not planning to get caught.” “He’ll beat you all right, in front of the whole village. Your leavin’ is a dishonor to him. Why, he’s liable to be so mad he’ll hack your nose off! It ain’t like he’s white folk, Loretta Jane. You don’t go leavin’ a Comanche! Hunter’ll be so mad, he’ll chew rawhide clean in two.” “Shut up, Amelia Rose, before I paddle your hiney good.” “You ain’t big enough by half!” “Wanna bet?” Loretta challenged in a shaky voice. Amy gasped. “You’re scared, ain’t you?” “Spitless.” “Then why leave him?” “Because I have to, I have to. Now get walkin’. I’m the oldest. I know better than you what’s best.” Amy did as she was told, albeit reluctantly, describing with every step the dire fate that was in store for Loretta when Hunter caught her. “He won’t cut off my nose!” “Will so!” “Will not!” Loretta leaped across the wash and turned to help her cousin. “Now stop with trying to scare me.” “You’d best be scared. He’s a Comanche, Loretta! When a Comanche woman shames her man, there’s certain things he’s expected to do. He has to, to save face.” “Praise the Lord I’m not a Comanche woman, then, hm?” Loretta nudged Amy into a walk, falling in behind her. “Loretta Jane, we ain’t fixin’ to steal their horses, are we?” “You wanna walk?” “Hunter’s gonna flay us alive.””

— Catherine Anderson