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And thus he sat disarming his accusers until they began to lunch upon the copious remnants of the barbecue. He did not join them at this meal. In telling you that Mrs. Dow was the only lady absent upon this historic morning, I was guilty of an inadvertence. There was one other. The Virginian rode away sedately through the autumn sunshine; and as he went he asked his Monte horse a question. Do yu reckon shell have forgotten you too, you pie-biter? said he. Instead of the new trousers, the cow-punchers leathern chaps were on his legs. But he had the new scarf knotted at his neck. Most men would gladly have equalled him in appearance. You Monte, said he, will she be at home? It was Sunday, and no school day, and he found her in her cabin that stood next the Taylors house. Her eyes were very bright. Id thought Id just call, said he. Why, thats such a pity! Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are away. Yes; theyve been right busy. Thats why I thought Id call. Will yu come for a ride, maam? Dear me! I-- You can ride my hawss. Hes gentle. What! And you walk? No, maam. Nor the two of us ride him THIS time, either. At this she turned entirely pink, and he, noticing, went on quietly: Ill catch up one of Taylors hawsses. Taylor knows me. No. I dont really think I could do that. But thank you. Thank you very much. I must go now and see how Mrs. Taylors fire is. Ill look after that, maam. Id like for yu to go ridin mighty well. Yu have no babies this mawnin to be anxious after. At this shaft, Grandmother Stark flashed awake deep within the spirit of her descendant, and she made a haughty declaration of war. I dont know what you mean, sir, she said. Now was his danger; for it was easy to fall into mere crude impertinence and ask her why, then, did she speak thus abruptly? There were various easy things of this kind for him to say. And any rudeness would have lost him the battle. But the Virginian was not the man to lose such a battle in such a way. His shaft had hit. She thought he referred to those babies about whom last night she had shown such superfluous solicitude. Her conscience was guilty. This was all that he had wished to make sure of before he began operations. Why, I mean, said he, easily, sitting down near the door, that its Sunday. School dont hinder yu from enjoyin a ride to-day. Youll teach the kids all the better for it to-morro, maam. Maybe its your duty. And he smiled at her. My duty! Its quite novel to have strangers-- Am I a stranger? he cut in, firing his first broadside. I was introduced, maam, he continued, noting how she had flushed again. And I would not be oversteppin for the world. Ill go away if yu want. And hereupon he quietly rose, and stood, hat in hand. Molly was flustered. She did not at all want him to go. No one of her admirers had ever been like this creature. The fringed leathern chaparreros, the cartridge belt, the flannel shirt, the knotted scarf at the neck, these things were now an old story to her. Since her arrival she had seen young men and old in plenty dressed thus. But worn by this man now standing by her door, they seemed to radiate romance. She did not want him to go--and she wished to win her battle. And now in her agitation she became suddenly severe, as she had done at Hoosic Junction. He should have a punishment to remember! You call yourself a man, I suppose, she said. But he did not tremble in the least. Her fierceness filled him with delight, and the tender desire of ownership flooded through him. A grown-up, responsible man, she repeated. |
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