human
We're not far away now, he said.
gpt
Reckon we oughtn't get too close till they come to th' hole an' get settled down. Some of 'em may have to ride far an' wide if th' herd's ornery, an' run onto us. We've got th' trumps, an' they're worth twice as much if they don't know we got 'em. They shoot off their mouths regardless out here.
human
Never felt more like smokin' than I do now, he chuckled.
gpt
Got any chewin'?
human
It's got too many stems in it; but bein' th' first chew I've had since I got married I ain't kickin', he complacently remarked.
gpt
Margaret says it sticks to me for hours.
human
Gettin' to be real lady-like, ain't you? he jeered.
gpt
Put perfumery on yore shirt bosom?
human
I would if she wanted me to, retorted his companion.
gpt
I don't just know what I wouldn't do if _she_ wanted me to.
human
That so? he demanded, pugnaciously.
gpt
Reckon she might like to know what yo're doin' down here, how much longer you aim to stay, an' if yo're still alive--an' other little foolish things like that. Let me tell you, Kid, you don't know how big a woman fills up yore life till you've lost her.
human
I can imagine what it would be without her, said Johnny, slowly and reverently, his heart aching for his friend's loss.
gpt
She knows all about it; nearly all, anyhow. I've writ to her every third day, when I could, an' sometimes oftener. She may be worryin', but I'm bettin' every cent I'll ever have that she ain't doin' no cryin'! There ain't many wimmen like her, even in this kind of country.
human
Then she's shore got Red an' me figgered for a fine pair of liars, murmured Hopalong;
gpt
he announced.
human
When did you tell her all about this scrambled mess?
gpt
When I found that I couldn't tell how much longer I'd have to stay here, confessed Johnny.
human
I couldn't write letters an' lie good enough to fool her; an' I had to write letters, didn't I?
gpt
I'll take everythin' back, Kid,