I need men. I'll hire this chap Gale if he'll stay.
Let Nell take her chance with him, just as she'll have to take
chances with men when we get out of the desert. She'll be all
the better for it."
"I hope Laddy's not mistaken in his opinion of this newcomer,"
replied Mrs. Belding, with a sigh of resignation.
"Shore I never made a mistake in my life figger'n' people," said
Laddy, stoutly.
"Yes, you have, Laddy," replied Mrs. Belding. "You're wrong about
Tom....Well, supper is to be got. That young man and the girl will
be starved. I'll go in now. If Nell happens around don't--don't
flatter her, Laddy, like you did at dinner. Don't make her think
of her looks."
Dick heard Mrs. Belding walk away.
"Shore she's powerful particular about that girl," observed Laddy.
"Say, Tom, Nell knows she's pretty, doesn't she?"
"She's liable to find it out unless you shut up, Laddy. When you
visited us out here some weeks ago, you kept paying cowboy
compliments to her."
"An' it's your idea that cowboy compliments are plumb bad for
girls?"
"Downright bad, Laddy, so my wife says."
"I'll be darned if I believe any girl can be hurt by a little sweet
talk. It pleases 'em....But say, Beldin', speaking of looks, have you
got a peek yet at the Spanish girl?"
"Not in the light."
"Well, neither have I in daytime. I had enough by moonlight.
Nell is some on looks, but I'm regretful passin' the ribbon to the
lady from Mex. Jim, where are you?"
"My money's on Nell," replied Lash.
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