“Almost; I had thought—nay, never mind.” “No, tell me. What did you think?” “I’m no goin’ to tell ye; ye’ll laugh at me.” “I promise not to laugh. Tell me.” He caressed my hair, smoothing the curls back from my ear. “Oh, all right. I didna realize that ye did it face to face. I thought ye must do it the back way, like; like horses, ye know.” It was a struggle to keep my promise, but I didn’t laugh. “I know that sounds silly,” he said defensively. “It’s just … well, ye know how you get ideas in your head when you’re young, and then somehow they just stick there?”
