text: 11
  
  "It appears that you've contacted the family, and they've abrogated their responsibilities to care for the child, so I think we could make a good case for adoption," Simon Cloud told them. Cloud was an attorney who had an office over Tallcott's Drug Store.
  
  Grit looked at Colleen and said, "Yes, that's what we'd like to do."
  
  "I know the judge, and we should be able to get this done fairly quickly," Cloud said.
  
  "How quickly?" Grit asked.
  
  "I'd say a month or so," Cloud replied.
  
  "No way we can get it done today?" Grit asked.
  
  Cloud laughed. "No, I'm afraid not. The process for adoption takes a while. We'll have to advertise in the local papers."
  
  "How much is your fee for this?" Grit asked.
  
  "My fee is $35, but there'll be some court costs and advertising costs. Fifty dollars should cover it."
  
  "Okay," Grit said. "We've spent all our money on supplies, but we have a bank account, and I'll withdraw sufficient to cover all this."
  
  When they got back to the wagon where Astrid and Paulie were waiting, Grit asked, "How much money have we got, Paulie."
  
  "Sixteen dollars and some change," Paulie said. "Why?"
  
  "I have to get $50 for the lawyer," Grit said. "I'll run over to the bank and get $200. That'll still leave enough for your college expenses. And by the way, we should write to the college at Lincoln and confirm to them that you'll be coming."
  
  "You're determined to get rid of me, aren't you?" Paulie asked.
  
  "You know it's not that," Grit said. "Listen, Paulie, I never took to that Catholic religion although I got a bellyful of it in parochial school, but if I've got a religion, it's education. It's the way to a more prosperous life, believe me, and that's what I want for you. You've got a first-class mind, and you shouldn't be lookin' at a future as a woodcutter."
  
  "Well, what about you?" Paulie asked.
  
  "In due time, when I have the money, I'd love to go to college, but it's not my time. It'll be your time in the fall. Don't you wanna go?"
  
  "Well, I do... and I don't."
  
  Grit stared at him. "Explain that to me."
  
  "I'd like to study and get an education, but I love being part of the family."
  
  Grit nodded and said, "I understand that. You'll always be a big part of this family, and it's your decision, Paulie, but the money will be there if you do wanna go."
  
  As Grit turned to go to the bank, he heard a man's voice that stopped him in his tracks. "Hey, ain't you the laundress at Fort Sully?"
  
  Colleen said in her usual pleasant voice with a little Irish lilt, "Used to be, some time back."
  
  "Well, why don't you come over and have a drink with us," the man said.
  
  "No," Colleen said, "I never was much of a drinker."
  
  "Aw, c'mon just a wee drink," the man said.
  
  "Nope, sorry, can't do it. I'm a married woman."
  
  "Married? You're makin' that up. Atlock said you's quite a tiger in bed."
  
  Colleen was too stunned to speak.
  
  "Hey, talk like that could get you hurt bad," Grit said as he walked back toward Colleen. "You said it right, she's too good for the likes of you, so quit botherin' the lady."
  
  "And who might you be?" the man asked.
  
  "I'm her husband," Grit said.
  
  "Oh, her husband," the man said. He looked over his shoulder and smirked at his pals by the hitching post. "I heard she was quite the little tart at Fort Sully."
  
  Grit reacted without thinking. His left uppercut to the chin set up the man's face for the right cross that fractured his cheekbone. The man was catapulted back, hit so hard he landed on his back with a whoosh of lost air from his lungs. The man's five friends rushed toward Grit, all of them ready to fight.
  
  Paulie, sitting up on the wagon seat with Astrid, said, "You stay right here, little sis. Don't go anywhere."
  
  He jumped to the ground without thought for his own safety. When the men came, Grit and Paulie struck fast and hard, but five against two was hard to defeat. Some of the men's blows got through, but Grit and Paulie's blows, powered by steel-hard muscles, were brutal and devastating. In a short time, all six of the men lay in the dust of the road.
  
  Paulie turned to Grit, blood streaming from his nose. He smiled and said, "My first real fight. How'd I do?"
  
  Grit reached out with one arm and hugged Paulie. "You did just fine. They mighta got the job done on me if you hadn't joined in."
  
  "Nah, never happen," Paulie said. "You didn't need me, but I was glad to be part of it."
  
  Colleen came over and said, "Well, I never knew those boxing lessons in the barn would come in so handy! I don't have to worry about havin' a man around to take care of me, do I?" Grit and Paulie both laughed.
  
  "No you don't," Grit and Paulie said at the same time.
  
  After paying the lawyer, they loaded up and headed home. Grit sat on the wagon seat with Colleen, and Paulie rode the bay horse with Astrid sitting in front of him. She was excited and kept pointing at things they passed along the trail. About an hour out, Paulie felt Astrid's little blonde head go limp, and knowing she was asleep, he rode up and Grit stopped the wagon. Paulie handed Astrid to Colleen who lay her on one buffalo robe and covered her with a blanket and another buffalo robe.
  
  "It's been a long trip for our little darlin', and she's tired," Colleen said.