Joshua growled at the command his father issued to stay away from the saints. He was weak now, however, and he couldn't help but agree it was a good idea, even if it pissed him off to admit it. The idea of being dragged to Kansas and possibly killed was not something that sounded at all pleasant and he would avoid it at all costs.
He shovelled more of the food into his mouth and then he faced his mother and said the most loving words he had ever uttered to her. "I'm glad to be home."
Even so, he still said it with a slightly grudging tone.