13.3 “I have no questions at this time.”

 “And, your husband, Mr. Dibbens, came home to this group of men?”
Mum nodded. “Yes, maybe half an hour later. I could see through a crack at the edge of the door. The shouting got louder as he drove into the yard, and someone in the crowd held a rope….” Mum put the handkerchief up to the corner of one eye.
“Take your time.”
Mum started again. “Someone… I believe it was our neighbor to the south…  held a rope over their head.”
“You recognized someone.”
Mum cleared her throat. “At the time, I wasn’t sure, but when I saw the man in town a week later, I knew it was Mr. Mason I saw that night.”
A rumble rippled through the room.
“He held a rope above his head?”
“Lies!” ARJ heard a man say, nearly under his breath.
She looked down at the handkerchief in her lap as she spoke. “He held it up, stretched over his head, and yelled “String him up!” several times.”
“At that point, what were you thinking?”
Mum looked over at ARJ, then leaned forward, speaking more softly. “I was afraid the men were getting angrier, and it might escalate into a horrible outcome for Arthur, with his children just inside.”
“Could you hear what was said in the farmyard?”
“I heard some of it, but the men blocked him from getting to the cabin. At that time, the wind picked up and drowned out their voices. Soon after, he walked toward the shed with the horses, followed by some men. It was an hour or more before Arthur came through the door.”
“When your husband entered the cabin, did he tell you what had happened?”
“He told me they demanded that he relinquish his claim on the land. He finally agreed because they told him it was the only way they would let him pass.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dibbens. I have no further questions, Your Honor.”
Mr. Howitt walked toward his seat. The judge looked over at Mr. Sluss, who was scribbling something on paper.
“Does the State have questions for Mrs. Dibbens?”
Mr. Sluss stood halfway and spoke. “I have no questions at this time.”
The judge glanced at his pocket watch. “In that case, Mrs. Dibbens, you are excused, and I’ll remind the jury not to discuss the case with anyone. We’ll take a thirty-minute recess.” Judge Campbell dismissed the crowded room with his gavel.
Mum looked over at Dad, exhaustion clouding her eyes. Uncle Albert was already moving to help her from the chair. ARJ reached his arms around Dad’s neck from behind. Dad grasped both hands in one of

his for a moment without turning to look at him.
“You stay with your mum, son. She needs you.” Dad patted his hands and let go. He turned to his brother.
“Albert, please see that Anna rests the remainder of the day… and all day tomorrow, at least until the jury returns. Mr. Howitt believes there’ll be a verdict by sometime late afternoon.” Mum waved her hand in Dad’s direction to say she was fine, but Uncle Albert nodded.
Dad continued, “Rachel and the children, they’re doing alright?”
“They’ve been doing fine. They’re anxious to have all of us home again.”
Dad nodded in agreement.
Mum slowly rose from the chair, grasping Uncle Albert’s arm as she took one slow step forward. She glanced over at Dad, who gave her half a smile, holding her eyes for a long moment.
“You did FINE today, Anna.”
Uncle Albert pulled her forward as the crowd dissipated in front of them. Her chin held high, the three of them moved to the door. ARJ clutched Mum’s fan tightly in his hand. He turned to look back at Dad before he went through the door. Dad sat watching them go, looking small and far away.