human
Hello, Nelson!
gpt
Hello, Ridley! replied Johnny.
human
Glad to see you again. Thought I'd bring 'em down to you, an' save you goin' up th' trail after 'em. Why don't you paint out that glarin' question-mark on th' side of th' house?
gpt
Has it got you, too?
human
Not as much as it would before I got married, replied Johnny.
gpt
I'm beginnin' to see a reason for livin'.
human
Good! exclaimed Ridley.
gpt
If I ever meet yore wife I'll tell her somethin' that'll make her dreams sweet. The expression of his face changed swiftly.
human
Do you know-- he considered, and changed the form of his words.
gpt
You'd be surprised if you knew th' number of people hit by that painted question-mark. I've had 'em ride in here an' start all kinds of conversations with me; th' gospel sharps are th' worst. One man blew his brains out in Quayle's hotel because of what that sign started workin' in his mind. Go look at it: it's full of bullet holes!
human
I don't have to, replied Johnny, and quickly answered his companion's unspoken challenge.
gpt
An' I can sleep under it, an' smile, cuss you! He glanced at the distant cattle.
human
Have you looked 'em over?
gpt
They're in good shape. Ready to count 'em now?
human
Be glad to, an' get 'em off my han's.
gpt
Bring 'em up in front of th' pasture, an' I'll wait for you there,
human
What kind of fellers are Corwin an' Trask?
gpt
Why?
human
Oh, nothin'; I was just wonderin'.
gpt
As long as you ain't aimin' to stop around these parts for long, th' less you know about 'em th' better. I'll be waitin' at th' pasture.