Cass woke up lying face-down on the bed and the first thing she saw was Ben's face smiling down at her. She started crying because of her stripes and he gently shushed her.

"There, there, honey."

"It hurts, Mr Cartwright!"

"I thought we agreed? Uncle Ben."

"Sorry. Uncle Ben."

He went to the landing. "Joseph?"

It was nearly seven and there was still no sign of him.

"JOSEPH!"

There was a bump from the twins' room, a yelp and a curse which Ben wisely chose to ignore. Joe came out, his hair wild, his nightshirt rucked up and his face bleary.

"Yes, Pa?"

"I'd like you to go down and get that ointment for Cassie. Then get a glass of milk. I've got to get that child up because I've no idea when the sheriff's coming."

"Right, Pa." Joe gave a jaw-splitting yawn and scratched himself on the back, ruching his garment up even more. "I fell out of bed."

Ben could not help but laugh. "Pull your shirt down, Joe!" he cried, giving it a tug. "My, you're not a pretty sight in the morning, are you?"

"I'm tired," he replied, yawning again. "Anyway why couldn't you do it? Or Scamp?"

Ben tapped his bottom as the boy laughed. "One, because I'm trying to help Cassie and two, because Scamp's even harder to get up than you are. Go on, son. The poor little lass is crying and those welts are still very angry. And hurry up. You've got to be off in half an hour."

"OK." Joe hurtled down the stairs, half-way down swinging onto the banister and swishing down to the bottom.

"And get off the banister!" Ben shook his head as he heard the bang and yet another yelp. He made his way back and helped Cassie out of bed. "Joe's gone to get the ointment and a nice glass of milk."

"My bottom hurts! And my back!"

"I know, sweetheart." Ben found himself cursing Will Sullivan for the hundredth time. He comforted her as she sobbed and writhed in pain. "You stay in your nightshirt this morning, eh? We haven't got anything for you to wear except that huge shirt of Scamp's anyway. I'll get her to come in in a minute and she'll help you wash and bring you down. Alright?"

"Yes, sir."

"I bet you're hungry?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Adam went out to see the Sheriff last night and they saw your father."

Cass started in horror. "Was he angry?"

"No." He did not tell her he was drunk. "He knows where you are but we will not let him take you back. Sheriff Coffee is going to contact the magistrate."

"What's going to happen to me, Mr Cartwright? Can I - "

"Uncle Ben."

"Uncle Ben. Can I stay here?"

"For a little while, honey. Until everything's alright again."

"People are nice to me here. It's warm and there's lots of food and people don't beat me."

He kissed her. "Don't worry, sweetheart. The sheriff and the doctor are coming over this morning and they'll want to talk to you."

She looked fearful. "I don't want to see them!"

"Cassie, honey, you've got to. Now, I'll be here so there's no need to be frightened."

"But, but..."

"It's because we're looking after you, you see. They need to know you're OK and that we're caring for you properly. Do you understand?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Well, just do it because I say so, then. I'll be there and no-one'll hurt you."

"I...I want to be...be what's that word you said? Like do as I'm told?"

"Obedient."

"Obeed-ent."

"You are obedient. You're a very good little girl. And tell the sheriff and the doctor the truth. They're very nice and they want to help you."

"Will Little Joe be there?"

"Unless they come very within the next half hour, no! And I hope they don't, we're running late as it is." He suddenly bellowed so loudly he could have woken the dead and might even stir his daughter. "SCAMP?! Get UP!" Cassie jumped out of her skin. "Little Joe and Scamp have got to go to school, love."

"Oh."

"And when you're better you'll have to go back, too."

"I don't like school."

"Why not?"

"Those girls are horrible to me."

"Well, you just ignore them. And if they're horrible to you, just tell Miss Jones or Scamp or Joe. You liked Miss Jones, didn't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"And later on I'll go to town and get you something to wear. Plus a big doll. I promised you, didn't I?"

She laughed. "Yes, sir."

"JOSEPH? Get a move on! Why is everyone so slow this morning? I'd better get moving myself. Now you stay here and wait for Joe and Scamp. And try not to cry, honey."

As the night before Cassie half knelt on the cushion on Ben's lap and gobbled up her porridge with gusto. He was so thankful her appetite was healthy. "Can I have another one, Uncle Ben?"

"May I have another one, please?"

"Pardon?"

"That's what you say. 'May I have another one, please?' "

"May I have another one, please?"

"Yes, you may."

"Uncle Ben?" Hoss laughed.

"I told her to call me that last night. I thought Mr Cartwright or sir was too formal."

"She will burst at the seams if she doesn't stop eating," said Adam.

"Do her good. Build her up."

"She is a skinny little thing."

"Half-starved, more like. Blast that man. So you met him. What's he like?"

"A pig."

"Adam..." Ben grunted, jerking his head towards Cassie.

"I'm sorry, Cass." She seemed completely unconcerned as she was too busy filling her mouth with porridge. "I'll tell you later, Pa."

"You two? Have you got your stuff?"

"Yes, Pa."

"Yes, sir."

"You'll have to go. Now. We're running very late this morning and you won't get to school on time."

"But, Pa, we haven't finished eating!"

"Take something with you – and get going! Miss Jones'll have your hides if you're late. Hoss was kind enough to saddle your horses so march!"

As the children hurried to the door Cass scrabbled down and darted after her idol. "Little Joe!"

"I'll see ya later, Cass."

"I don't want you to go."

"I don't, either. I don't like school. But I've got to."

"Uncle Ben said people are coming this morning and I don't wanna see them."

"The sheriff and doctor are alright, Cass. They won't hurt you and Pa'll be here. I'll get home as quick as I can and you can tell me what they said. You be a brave girl for me, eh? Think you can do that?"

"I guess so," she answered doubtfully.

He smiled at her and gave her the wink she so adored. That he would take care of everything and take away her troubles. She relaxed slightly and gave him a small smile. He laughed and kissed her. "Say good-bye to Scamp, Cassie."

"Bye, Scamp."

"Bye, Cass," she replied, picking her up. "You're great. You're gonna be just great, hear me?"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Come on, chop chop!" Ben cried, hastening them through the door.

The truth was, it warmed his heart to see how gentle and kind his youngest children were. He felt proud of them.