human
You here alone? he inquired, stooping slightly to peer past her into the cabin,
gpt
No, Dad's here, she answered,
human
Got any oats? he asked, as he turned toward the corral.
gpt
Blue's a good horse, an' I'd like him to have more'n just hay. I may ride him hard, tomorrow.
human
Yes--wait. The girl turned back into the cabin and came out with a lighted lantern.
gpt
I'll go with you. They're in the stable.
human
Got a halter? I ain't goin' to turn him in with the others. They'd nose him out of his oats, or else worry him so he couldn't eat comfortable.
gpt
Blue's never been in the stable--and he's never eaten oats. He don't know what they are.
human
It's time he learnt, then, he smiled,
gpt
Like women, aren't they?
human
Think so? he countered,
gpt
At the door of the stable the horse paused, sniffed suspiciously, and pulled back on the halter rope.
human
Just step away with the lantern so he can't see what's ahead of him, an' he'll come--won't you, Blue?
gpt
They wouldn't any of them come if they could see what's ahead, would they?
human
Maybe not, he agreed,
gpt
I expect it's a good thing for all of us that we can't see--what's ahead. The man abruptly transferred his attention to the horse; gently slapping his neck and pulling playfully at his twitching ears. His voice dropped into a soothing monotone:
human
Come on, you old Blue, you. You old fraud, tryin' to make out like you're afraid. Come on--take a chance. There's oats, an' hay, an' beddin' a foot thick in there. An' a good stall to stand in instead of millin' around a corral all night. The rope slackened, and securing a firm grip on the halter, the Texan edged slowly toward the door, the horse following with nervous, mincing steps, and nostrils aquiver. From her place beside the corral, the girl watched in astonishment as man and horse passed from sight. From the black interior of the stable the voice of the Texan sounded its monotonous drone, and presently the man himself appeared and taking the lantern returned to attend to the horse. Alone in the darkness, Janet wondered. She knew the big blue roan, and she had expected a fight. A few minutes later the man reappeared, chuckling:
gpt
He's learnt what oats are, he said,
human
And then--what? asked the girl after a moment of silence. She received no answer, and with a trace of impatience she repeated the question.
gpt
What would you do then?
human
Why--then, answered the man, abstractedly,
gpt
I don't know. I was just thinkin' maybe it ain't such a good thing after all we can't see farther ahead.
human
Did you find your friend?
gpt
No.