The Steward of the Land: a short story

She removed the pig sticker from its bracket on the wall and passed it around the dinner guests. The weight, you see, she said, balanced here in the hand. Her grip on the instrument was impressive. Mother, said Billy, Please. To which she added, From horseback naturally. Aim between the shoulder blades. She had herself, it was said, as a girl, on the least biddable mare, while her parents presided over partition. One had found her admirable, it was also said. Dinner is served, said a girl, appearing from a dark corner of the room. The guests followed in a solemn line.