The disappointment didn't go unnoticed by Samuel. His brows furrowed and he frowned, glancing at his sister briefly. "No. This is my sister's home." As a widow she had a bit more freedom. She could live where she pleased, have a job to support herself and generally get by without a husband. That was why her family was angry when he man she had been courting had shown his true colors. She would have been a married woman again, and thus safe. When it was hinted that she needed someone to make sure she was safe, Samuel still had to object to William being the one to stay. 

Keziah resented the idea entirely. She didn't need to be protected. She'd been doing fine on her own for five years, well three technically. She had moved back in to care for her sickly mother. After her husband's death she needed tp be kept close to family, people who could assure her that things would be alright, and that God was keeping him safe. Her eyes flickered to William and she frowned a bit whe  he movedto the door. Honestly he should stay because....he was wounded, yes, that was why he needed to stay - [i]not[/i] because she needed protecting. Oh who was she kidding? There was something about the man that had her curious.  She just needed some time to figure out what it was. 

Once their guest was gone, Samuel and Keziah began to argue. Their patient on the table was out cold, a screaming match wouldn't wakehim. Their arguing got loud enough that the heavily pregnant Elizabeth came waddling between them. Sam had over a foot of height on his sister but she stood up to him like a man woild. Elizabeth demanded that they stop and they did, if only to please her. Samuel went to check on the patient and Keziah busied herself with checking dinner and getting bowls out. They ignored each other until the soldiers came back. Keziah didn't want to move the man, he could stay for a few days because he'd need someone to tend to him, but Sam thouht it was best if he went home to his family. They needed to be close in case he didn't make it. The soldiers hgave quick thanks when she handed them bowls as well. She was a woman of her word after all. 

They all turned to the strange man, the soldiers whispering that he was crazy. Keziah on the other hand wanted to know what he was getting at. It would surely be something new. She set a pot to boil over the open fire and she waited, going to check on Elizabeth in the mean time. Elizabeth had gone into the bedroom, furious at her husband and his sister.

"I do not know why you and Samuel had to argue. He is a stranger. We know nothing of him." Elizabeth said, trying to roll over to face Keziah. The other woman sighed softly and sat nextto her on the bed.

"He is injured. He can stay here." Keziah pointed out. Samuel had ignored this part of her argument. He knew that it was a valid reason, even if it was only a flesh wound. Keziah was a very good nurse, caring almost to the point of fault. She had once taken in a young boy who'd fallen ill when his family couldn't afford his treatments. He got better and moved back home a few months later. However, he died the following year in an accident. Keziah had grown quite fond of the boy, thinking of him as a brother of sorts. Samuel had gotten angry when she grieved for the boy like she had her husband. 

They talked for a little while longer. It became apparent that Elizabeth held her husband's views but knew nothing was going to stop Keziah. The brunette returned to the main room and pulled the water off the fire and cooled it. She listened to William talk. They changed bandages once a day or every other day depending on the severity of the injury or their supplies. Sometimes they'd boil the bandages and reapply them but that was time consuming and it often meant that wounds were left uncovered for long stretches as the bandages were dried. 
Keziah watched in interest, Samuel did too. 

"See brother, he is useful...and I might need help changing in his bandages." Keziah said softly. She already argued that William was injured but Samuel didn't care. 

The soliders left after another bowl of soup each. Things fell quite as Samuel weighed his options. Keziah had gone to help Elizabeth with her hair so she and Samuel could journey home. The sun was beginning to dip beyond the horizon and soon they'd need a lantern in order to find their way home. Samuel just watched William, studying him in detail. "My sister seems to think that you can be useful." He said. Samuel didn't mean to be rude but he couldn't allow this man to be left in a home with his sister, unsupervised. He'd feel bad if they took Keziah's bed (again). 
"Why should you be allowed to stay here? We know nothing of your intentions oe who you are...where you came from."