In the Lone and Level Sands Read Online Free Page A

you let me help you?”
    “Of course! We can’t thank you enough.” Charlotte
smiled, and she and Ben climbed into the seat next to the man as
soon as he opened the door for them. As he pulled the gearshift
down to drive, he took a puff of his pipe and blew another smoke
cloud, out the window this time. “I can’t tell you how grateful we
are, sir!” Charlotte said.
    “It’s nothing, Mrs.…”
    “Hopper. Oh, but you can call me Charlotte.”
    “So, whose idea was the town’s name?” Ben asked.
    “Ben!”
    “Oh, it’s perfectly all right. I’ve lived here for
quite a few years now, it’s a pleasant little town, peculiar name
aside. Not much goes on here, and we don’t get too many visitors,
either.” He pulled into a parking space in front of a dark brown
building and shut off the pickup. “We’re here. Let’s go meet Dr.
Barnum. He’ll patch you up in a jiffy, Mr. Hopper!”
    Dr. Barnum, who was every bit as nice as the man in
the pickup had been, was able to see them immediately. It took
about an hour for the doctor to give Ben some stitches for the gash
in his chest and treat his other cuts, check for internal bleeding,
and search for any other damage. Unfortunately, he had little
information to offer on the topic of amnesia. Dr. Barnum moved on
to Charlotte, and when all was said and done, both of them had
walked away from the accident with only minor physical wounds.
    The two left the building and were surprised to find
the truck driver still outside, leaning on his truck. He
straightened when he saw them.
    “Say, you both should stay at my house for the
night,” he said. “We have plenty of room, and it’s not far.” He
pointed up the dirt road. “Look, with the lights on you can see it
from here. I think the Mrs. is making her famous beef stew!
Mmm-mmm!” He rubbed his stomach. Charlotte waved her hand.
    “Oh, we don’t want to impose! We can just stay at
the motel across the street.”
    “It would be no imposition. I insist.”
    Charlotte looked at Ben, who made no protest.
    “Okay. Thank you very much!” Charlotte smiled.
    The three got into the truck and drove down the
street.
    “The name’s Frederick Samson, but you just call me
Fred.” The smile he flashed showed his tobacco-stained teeth. His
upper lip was occupied by a big gray caterpillar mustache that
curled upward when he smiled.
    “I’m Ben.”
    “Glad to meet you. I just wish I could do something
to help you guys out more.”
    “Your hospitality is just fine. You don’t need to do
anything else. We’re glad you came along when you did.”
    “It’s nothing, really!”
    It wasn’t long before they pulled up the gravel
driveway before the farmhouse. To the left of it was a corn field,
and to the right was a big red barn, faded from the sun and
chipping from the rain. Fred parked to the right of a minivan and
killed the engine. When they got inside, Fred hung his keys on a
little plaster barn by the front door, then led the couple into the
sitting room. The air was thick with beef, broth, and a multitude
of vegetables. There was a candle by Mrs. Samson, who was rocking
in a squeaky chair and knitting a pair of socks. The old woman
looked up, set her project down, and wiped a strand of white hair
out of her face.
    “I brought some visitors, Sara.” Fred took his hat
off and threw it onto the couch behind him.
    “Why, hello there!” Sara said, but her face flushed
when she saw the bandages and bruises decorating the two. “Oh my
gosh! What happened to you?”
    “We had an accident,” Charlotte said. “Your husband
was nice enough to help us out, and he’s invited us to stay the
night.” Charlotte suddenly wondered if Fred’s wife would be as
happy to have them as Fred was.
    “Well, you both will definitel y be staying
here tonight. I’m Sara. I hope you’ve come with an appetite!” She
stood up, pointed at the big pot of stew in the kitchen, and
winked.
    “Yeah, I’m starved!” Ben said.
    “I’m