He was thinking of moving on when it seemed like the women were seriously considering making the railhead town their permanent headquarters. He knew t...at the focus of the railroad would be to bring the beef on the hoof supply lines closer to the meat-packing centers and that the days of the "open range" were coming to a rapid close. He had thoughts of striking out further west into the gold fields and see what the land on the other side of the mountains held in store for him.It was a late. "Amanda? Is that you? It's Bob Crandall. Yeah. Sorry to call so late. Is Patti there?"She was there. Amanda went to fetch her, and Patti must have been asleep, or highly reluctant, or maybe down the block having a beer, because I waited for a long, long time.I could hear a fairly harsh exchange of comments going on between mother and daughter, well away from the phone. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but it sounded as if Amanda was insisting that Patti take my call."Hello?" Patti.". “My name is Tess-”“Sorry, Tess. I need to tell you. My son went away for the near future, possibly as long as two years. I want to hear your story, but I don’t know if I’m worthy to listen.”Tears formed in her eyes. She struggled to keep her face neutral She failed and burst out, “I hate you!”I expected her to run, but she stamped her foot and shook her fist at me. “Why you? You weren’t even that troubled! You don’t deserve to be here.”“I’ll leave.”“NOO!” She wailed. “I don’t have anyone. This continued for about a minute before Amelia spoke softly.“Now, Sweetie. We’re almost done – just the caning to come and then you’re forgiven.” Miss Marks took up her position at Amber’s left-hand side.Amelia smiled as she adjusted her feet, placing her left foot in front of her right and placing her left hand on her left hip. She continued tapping the bottom lying in front of her with the cane.“I want you to count each stroke for me, lovely and reply, “If I act like a slut then I will have.