Just lost? Stolen? Without any trace? Just like that, could that be? Or squandered? Or were did they not actually have that farm but were mere labourers on it, keeping up a fantasy that made them feel better? He did get the feeling the boy wasn't telling him the whole truth.

He cracked a smile at the girl. "That's a good way of lookin' at life, and that will get ye far, lass. Never lose that."