“Almost,” he whispered as he watched the countryside passing. He’d been an “almost” when he’d joined the army. Now, at twenty-four, he felt like an old man. He’d seen enough fighting and dying to last him ten lifetimes.

He smiled. Widow Adams would take care of the girls and One could drive when he circled back to make sure they weren’t being followed. This trip was going to be easy.

He heard the girls in the back singing songs. Farms spotted the land, and now and then a farmer waved from the winter fields. This was going to be the easiest money he’d ever make.

An hour later Trapper wasn’t so sure. Number Four poked her head out of the canvas cover. “I have to stop to take care of private things, Mr. Tapper.”

“Trapper,” he corrected.

“I need to take care of private things, Mr. Tapper!”

She wasn’t listening to him and he wasn’t understanding her.

When Trapper raised his eyebrows, Mrs. Adams whispered, “Chamber pot.”

“I didn’t bring one.” He started wondering if he needed to drive back to get one. He’d never been around women. He’d talked to girls in grade school when his dad let him go, and he’d managed to have a few conversations with ladies over the years, but he’d never asked about how they handled private things. In fact he’d never seen the nude body of a woman except in pictures over a few bars. Even if he’d wanted to court a girl after the war, none would have been interested in him.

To his surprise, all the girls looked confused including the little widow.

Number Five helped him out as her little hand patted him on the shoulder. “Please stop and help up us down, Mr. Tapper. We know what to do.” The mispronouncing of his name was spreading.

“All of you?”

“Yes,” Five answered. “If one goes, we all do. I think it’s a rule written down somewhere.”

Mrs. Adams took over. “We’ll all have to make a circle, Mr. Trapper. It’s a lady’s way.”

“Oh,” he said, pulling up the horses though he didn’t understand at all.

The girls nodded as he helped each one out of the wagon.

They walked over near a stand of trees and formed a circle, with Number Four in the center. Then they did the strangest thing. They turned their backs to her, held out their skirts, and waited.

One by one, each took her turn in the center, then laughed as they all ran back to the wagon. He climbed down and helped each one up, counting as he loaded.