been doing?" she asked as they pushed along the firm, hard trail.
"Punchin' for th' Bar-20, southwest of here. I would n't 'a' been here today only I let th' outfit ride on without me. We just got back from Kansas City a couple of days back. But let's get at this here Joe Worth prop'sition. I 'm plumb curious. How long's he been pesterin' you?"
"Nearly two years—I can't stand it much longer."
"An' th' outfit don't cut in?"
"They 're his friends, and they understand that father wants it so. You 'll not know father, Dick: I never thought a man could change so. Mother's death broke him as though he were a reed."
"Hum!" he grunted. "You ain't carin' how this coyote is stopped, just so he is?"
"No!" she flashed.
"An' he 'll be waitin' for you?"
"He usually is."
He grinned. "Le 's hope he is this time."
