human
You know, I hate to mention little worries before your mother, he said.
gpt
Those pathetic eyes of hers make me ashamed to bother her with a thing. But I am worried, Miss Louise. I came over to ask you if you've seen anything of four calves of ours. I know you ride a good deal, through the hills. They disappeared a week ago, and I can't find any trace of them. I've been looking all through the hills, but I can't locate them.
human
I don't see how they could get away from your Cove, she said,
gpt
The bars were all right. It was last Friday, I think. I'm not sure. They were in the little meadow above the house, you see. I was away that night, and Aunt Martha is a little hard of hearing. She wouldn't hear anything unless there were considerable noise. I came home the next forenoon--I was over to Seabeck's--and the bars were in place then. Aunt Martha had not been up the gorge, nor had anyone come to the ranch while I was gone. So you see, Miss Louise, here's a very pretty mystery!
human
I must have made a mistake and bought mountain sheep instead of calves, he said and laughed again.
gpt
They couldn't have gone through those bars or over them; and I did have a spark of intelligence and looked along the river for tracks, you know. They had not been near the river, which has soft banks along there. They watered from the little creek that comes down the gorge. Miss Louise, do you have flying cattle in Idaho?
human
You think they were driven off, don't you?
gpt
Miss Louise, I'd work every other theory to death before I'd admit that possibility! I don't know all of my neighbors so very well, but I should hesitate a long, long time--
human
It needn't have been a neighbor. There are lots of strange men passing through the country. Did you look for tracks?
gpt
I--did not. I didn't want to admit that possibility. I decline to admit it now. The chin of Charlie Fox squared perceptibly, so that Billie Louise caught a faint resemblance to Marthy in his face.
human
I saw a man accused of a theft once, he said.
gpt
The evidence was--or seemed--absolutely unassailable. And afterward he was exonerated completely; it was just a horrible mistake. But he left school under a cloud. His life was ruined by the blunder. I'd have to know absolutely before I'd accuse anyone of stealing those calves, Miss Louise. I'd have to see them in a man's corral, with his brand on them--I believe that's the way it's done, out here--and even then--
human
Where have you looked? There were reasons why this particular subject was painful to Billy Louise.
gpt
And are you sure they didn't get out of that pasture and wander on down the Cove, among all those willows? It's a perfect jungle, away down. Are you sure they aren't with the rest of the cattle? I don't see how they could leave the Cove, unless they were driven out.