"Everybody move away!" Maria started to lift Amanda from the floor, but found the task difficult for a short old woman like herself.

"Need some help, Maria?"

"Yes, Amos, please help me lift her," she was immediately grateful that Amos appeared.

But as Amanda was being hoisted off the floor, her eyes opened. Grabbing Maria's jacket collar, she gasped. "What happened?"

"You fainted, dear," Maria helped Amos walk Amanda to a nearby chair, thankful the crowd was dispersing.

Amanda slumped into the chair, her head feeling tingly and heavy. Embarrassed, she hid her face behind her hands. "I can't believe it...."

"Don't worry, everyone's already forgotten by now," Maria smoothed her hand over Amanda's hair.

"Miss Brookfield, don't think nothin' of it," Amos bent down and whispered. "I fainted once. In front of the other ranch hands! Woah! But they understood, on account that I was all feverish and all."

"Thank you, Amos," Amanda managed a smile.

"See ya later," he nodded bashfully.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Maria sat on a chair beside her and held her hand. "You might be coming down with something."

"No, no, I can drive home," her head was throbbing with a sharp ache as she remembered clearly what had caused her to faint. She anxiously looked around the hall for Mr. Ellinger.