human
Huh! You an' Dave must 'a' gone to th' same school!
gpt
We have, I reckon. Experience is a good school, too.
human
Th' lessons stick,
gpt
Cuss it! I'll shore hate to stop at that waggin. I'm sayin' Mesquite is goin' to be terrible upset some day soon. Why _ain't_ I got whiskers? I'd like to see his face when he sets eyes on you fellers. Bet he'll jump up an' down an' yell!
human
Mebby, said Hopalong,
gpt
If I wasn't so fat, I'd go with you! I'm beginnin' to see why he thought so much of you fellers. Here--it's time for a drink.
human
What are we goin' to tell Margaret? asked Arnold.
gpt
She may get suspicious if you leave so suddenly.
human
You just keep repeatin' that letter to yoreself, laughed Red,
gpt
Shucks! About daylight it'll take Fanning that long to get me out of bed--oh, well, he sighed, resignedly.
human
I'll be at th' ford, waitin' for you to come along. Come easy, in case I'm asleep.
gpt
South of here, on this trail? asked Red.
human
Thought so. All right. So-long,
gpt
Hey! he shouted.
human
Hadn't I better send him that check, anyhow? He may need it before you get there.
gpt
When does th' mail leave?
human
Day after tomorrow,
gpt
You must 'a' played hookey from that school, Dave,
human
He's fat clean to th' bald spot, shouted Arch.
gpt
Come on in, Dave. We ain't got time to hold back for no mail to get there first. He stuck his head out of the window.
human
So-long, fellers! See you at th' ford.
gpt
I never did really doubt th' stories Nelson told about that old outfit, but if I had any doubts I ain't got them no more. Did you see th' looks in their eyes when you was tellin' about Nelson?
human
I did! snapped Arch.
gpt
Why in h--l ain't I got whiskers?
human
Think it'll reach him in time?
gpt
Ought to. Slim said he would mail it at Highbank as soon as he got there,
human
I shore hope so, said Red.
gpt
I'd hate to have that ride for nothin' an' it would just be our luck to pass him somewhere on th' way, an' get there after he left.
human
He'd likely foller th' reg'lar trail up, anyhow, said Hopalong.
gpt
It ain't likely we'll miss him.
human
What are you boys talking about?
gpt
Only wonderin' if yore father's letter will get to Johnny in time to catch him before he leaves, said Hopalong.
human
Dave says it will as long as that Slim feller is takin' it to Highbank with him. Slim live down there?
gpt
No; goin' down for th' Double X, I suppose, replied Arnold.
human
Supper ready, Peggy?
gpt
Not until I learn more about this, retorted Margaret, determinedly.
human
What letter are you talking about?
gpt
Oh, I told Johnny to look around and see if he could pick up a good herd of yearlings cheap,
human
The table is waiting for you. I've had to keep the supper warm,
gpt
Men-folks are shore a trial an' tribulation,
human
Hadn't ought to take him very long, I suppose?
gpt
You don't know him very well, yet, he replied.
human
Give him a chance to dicker over a herd an' he's happy for a week or more. He shore does like to dicker.
gpt
I never saw anything in his nature which would indicate anything like that, said Margaret, tartly.
human
He always has impressed me with being quite direct. Perhaps I did not understand you correctly?
gpt
Peggy! Peggy! reproved her father.
human
It means bread and butter for us.
gpt
I can eat my bread without butter, she retorted.
human
As a matter of fact I've seen very little butter out in this country.
gpt
I don't reckon you've ever seen him buyin' a herd, ma'am?
human
You are quite right, Mr. Connors. I never have.
gpt
I reckon it's his love for gamblin',
human
Gambling? snapped Margaret, her eyes sparking.
gpt
Did you say gambling?
human
Red is referrin', I reckon, to th' love of gamblin' that was born in yore husband, Margaret. It allus has been one of his, an' our, fears that it would get th' best of him. But, he said, proudly and firmly,