human
Some people you used to know; I suppose you've forgotten all about 'em, eh? His eyes narrowed; there was a spark of something akin to dread in them.
gpt
Kate Cumberland?
human
Kate Cumberland? he repeated.
gpt
How is she, Buck? Lately, I been thinkin' about her every day.
human
Kate? he repeated.
gpt
Oh, ay, she's well enough. But Joe Cumberland ain't.
human
No?
gpt
He's dyin' Dan.
human
He's kind of old, I s'pose.
gpt
Old? said Buck, with a sort of horror.
human
Yes, he's old, right enough. D'you know why he's dying? It's because you went away the way you done, Dan. That's what's killin' him.
gpt
Maybe I understand, he said slowly.
human
If I was to lose Satan, or Bart-- here the great dog whined at the mention of his name, and Barry dropped a slender hand across the scarred forehead of his servant.
gpt
If I was to lose 'em, I'd sort of mourn for 'em, maybe.
human
I don't suppose it seems possible, he said,
gpt
Don't you figure on doin' nothing about it?
human
What could I do?
gpt
My God A'mighty, ain't you got no human feelin's?
human
I dunno what you mean,
gpt
This! Can't you git on your hoss and ride back with me to Cumberland Ranch? Stay with the old man till he gets back on his feet. Ain't that easy to do? Is your time so damned valuable you can't spare a few days for that?
human
But I am goin' back, answered Dan, in a rather hurt voice.
gpt
They ain't no need for cussin' me, Buck. I been thinkin' of Kate, every day, almost.
human
Since when?
gpt
I dunno. Dan stirred uneasily. He looked up, and far above Buck, following the direction of Dan's eyes, saw a pattern of wild geese.
human
I been sort of driftin' North towards the Cumberland Ranch and Kate, went on Dan. He sighed:
gpt
I been thinkin' of her eyes, which is blue, Buck, and her hair, and the soft sound of her voice. They been hangin' in my ears, stayin' behind my eyes, lately, and I been driftin' up that way steady.
human
Why, man, cried Buck,
gpt
I will! said Dan, full as eagerly.
human
We'll start full speed.
gpt
Come on, then.
human
Wait a minute! said Dan, his voice growing suddenly cold.
gpt
I been forgettin' something.
human
I got to wait here for something.
gpt
What's that?
human
They's a man in town that may want to see me.
gpt
Mac Strann! I've heard about him. Dan, are you goin' to let Joe Cumberland die because you want to stay here and fight it out with a dirty cutthroat?
human
I don't want to fight, protested Barry.
gpt
No, there ain't nothin' I like less than fightin'!
human
Dan, he said,
gpt
Stop! he commanded softly, and raised his slender hand.
human
Don't keep on talkin' about it. It makes me sick--all through. Oh, Buck, they's a tingle in the tips of my fingers still from the time I had 'em in his throat. And it makes me feel unclean--the sort of uncleanness that won't wash out with no kind of soap and water. Buck, I'd most rather die myself than fight a man!