human
Ward Warren, for heaven's sake, what are you doing? You couldn't have told from her tone that she had been crying, a mile back, from sheer anxiety, or that she
gpt
I'm trying to sink my loop on this damned buzzard-head of a horse, Ward retorted glumly.
human
I've been trying for about an hour,
gpt
Well, it's a lucky thing for you he won't let you, Billy Louise informed him sternly, stooping to crawl under the bottom wire.
human
You've got about as much sense as-- She did not say what.
gpt
Give me that rope, and you take yourself and your crutches out of the corral, Mr. Smarty. I just had a hunch you couldn't be trusted to behave yourself.
human
Brave Buckaroo got lonesome, Ward said, looking at her with eyes alight, as he hobbled slowly toward her.
gpt
You'll have to open the gate for me, William. Rattler'll make a break for the open if he sees a crack as wide as your little finger.
human
Oh, William girl, I'm sure glad to see you once more. I got scared. I thought maybe I just dreamed you were here; so I tackled--
gpt
You tackled more than you could handle, Billy Louise finished with her lips close to his.
human
You haven't got any sense at all. You might have known I'd come the very first minute I could.
gpt
I know--I know.
human
And you ought to know you mustn't try to ride Rattler, Ward. What if he'd pitch with you?
gpt
In that case, I'd pile up, I reckon. Say, William, a broken leg does take a hell of a time to get well. But all the same, I'll top old Rattler, all right. I'd top anything rather than spend another night in that jail.
human
You'll ride Blue, Billy Louise told him calmly
gpt
I'm going to ride Rattler myself.
human
Yes, you are--not!
gpt
Do you mean to say I can't? Do you think--
human
Oh, I guess you can, all right, but--
gpt
Well, if I can, I'm going to. If you think I can't handle a measly old skate like that--
human
He's been running out for nearly two months, Wilhemina--
gpt
And look at his ribs! If you'll just kindly go in the house while I saddle--
human
I'll kindly stay right here, lady-girl. You don't know Rattler--
gpt
And you don't know Billy Louise MacDonald. She wrinkled her nose at him and turned back to unsaddle Blue.
human
I really didn't intend to go back right now, she said,
gpt
Then she added:
human
We're only going as far as the Cove, anyway; and I really ought to hurry back to look after Marthy. Charlie Fox and Peter pulled out and left her there all solitary alone. I've been staying with her since I left here. I told her we'd be down there, and stay till--further notice.