beth sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose trying to ward away the coming headache . maybe she 'd want neither and she 'd just walk away . she stopped scrubbing on the wash board . straight-shot , she was certain , was no different . be you old and grey , bent or broken , i will take you in and welcome you . there was much more thinking before speaking . they continued along a path , which ran up toward the back side of the wave formation . bill looked at amelia as if she 'd turned into a baboon . 