"Now, time to collect the men's under-things." she told me with a determined look. "Go on and tell them that their clothes are on the line and they won't get any breakfast or the return of their clothing until they are all clean-shaven and have turned over their under-things. Go on now." Milly ordered, shooing me toward the stairs. I gave her a look before doing as she said, moving up the stairs and knocking on the door. "Good morning boys, Milly has told me to tell you that your clothing is on the line and I need to collect your under-things presently." I called through the door. "Our underwear?" I heard one exclaim. "Yes, your underwear. Now had them over so that I can deliver them to Milly." I ordered. I heard the men scuffle for a moment.
"Where's Adam? We want to talk to Adam!" a voice yelled angrily. I felt my anger rise as I pursed my lips, grabbed the door handle, and threw it open, seeing the six men scramble backwards in shock. "Now you men see here! I will not be shouted at nor spoken to in such a manner! I've cleaned out a bar filled with twice as many of you and twice as large as you lot! Now, you are going to hand over your under-things so I can get them to Milly or none of you will get any breakfast and will have to explain to your brother why none of the chores are done and why none of you have any clothes to do anything in!" I yelled, advancing on the men, sending them scrambling for the other side of the room before I turned on my heel and marched out, closing the door.
"Your under-things! Now! Do not make me come in there and strip you all myself!" I yelled. "Hold on boys, she wouldn't dare-" "OH I WOULDN'T, WOULD I?" I yelled grabbing the door and almost entering the room when the door was forced shut and I heard the men scrambling to pile against it. "I also want all of you cleanly shaven when you come out, you hear?" I called as a hand reached out the door, holding six pairs of long-johns.
I heard the men grumbling as I took the under-things and carried them downstairs to Milly. "Here, be a dear and take these blankets up to the boys, would you, Kitty?" Milly asked as I handed her the clothes, taking a large stack of long, mended blankets from her. I grumbled at her, giving my older sister the 'stink-eye' before heading back upstairs. "Here are some blankets to wrap around yourselves so that you can come down to eat." I called opening the door a bit and sticking my arm inside, feeling someone take the stack.
"Thank you." I heard one of the men reply as I closed the door and went back downstairs. "Milly, where is Moonshine?" I asked softly as I grabbed a biscuit from the stack on the table. "The barn corral." Milly replied, handing me a green apple as well as I passed her, heading for the door. "Thanks, I think I'll go and see her." I told my sister softly as I headed out the door, spotting the mare right off as she nickered at me. I smiled softly and moved toward the corral.
"Morning girl, you feeling better? We both had quite a scare yesterday." I told the mare gently as I climbed onto the fence and let her nibble on the apple. The mare crunched happily and nudged me gently with her nose. "I know, I understand and forgive you." I told the mare softly before I felt eyes on me, causing me to glance back at the house to see someone dart away from the second story window. I rolled my eyes and turned back to Moonshine, rubbing her face lovingly as I nibbled on my biscuit. "Kitty! Breakfast is ready!" I heard Milly call from the porch.
"I'm coming Milly." I called back, kissing Moonshine's nose before leaving the corral and heading back to the house. "Sit down now." Milly told me gently as I entered the room to see six very handsome men, all covered with blankets sitting down at the table. "I think I'll wait, sister." I replied, giving the men a weary look. "Kitty, I said sit down." Milly ordered in a stern voice. I gave her a withering look and she returned it, causing me to grumble and sit at the opposite end of the table, folding my hands and bowing my head as Milly said grace.