Ben and Joe were looking around the Hendricks property, for what, Ben hadn't a clue. But apart from the signs that Hoss and Adam were there, it didn't look like anyone had been there for a while.
Ben was in the kitchen, trying to strain his ears, trying to hear anything that might come close to a baby's cry. So far he was unsuccessful. He looked down at the blanket in the old cradle. It was lovingly folded and placed on the straw mattress. Fanny must have done that before she left, Ben thought. Joe suddenly appeared at the back door, interrupting Ben's reverie.
"Didn't see or hear anything out here, Pa. But it looks like some sort of animal might be disturbing Baby David's grave." Joe told Ben.
Ben sighed and went out to the gravesite. There were the four little stones for the babies that didn't last for more than an hour, and David's tombstone. There were signs of it being disturbed. Fanny and Frank had put little stones over the grave, but it looked like it was more for decoration, than anything else. Probably all Frank could manage at the time. There were bigger stones outlining the walk and the garden Fanny had put in during happier times.
"They should be big enough to discourage any animals," Ben thought.
While moving some stones from an old flower garden, over grown with weeds, Ben came across a wooden, crudely lettered sign. "David's Garden," it read.
"Garden of Broken Dreams, more like," Ben thought while lifting another stone to put on the grave. At last they were finished, and Joe put some of the blooming lilac branches he had cut on the grave. Fanny had a large lilac bush brought from the east and had it placed at the corner of the house. It was her pride and joy.
"I guess that'll do it, Pa." Joe said solemnly.
"Yes, well, let's get out of here, we still have to check on that fencing." Ben clapped Joe on the shoulder, eager to get away from the sad little grave.
