Part 10 (1/2)
”Sure, that's right, Mrs. Patten. They _are_ kind hearted even if they are ignorant,” broke in Maude Wicks, her sharp little eyes s.h.i.+ning out from the depths of her fat cheeks.
Kit at that moment made a face behind the back of Kie Wicks and Bet smothered a giggle and hastily left the veranda, motioning the girls to follow her. Once outside they ran far enough away to indulge in a good laugh.
”Where's Tommy?” asked Enid suddenly. ”He disappeared and I can't find him anywhere.”
”We're looking for Tommy Sharpe,” called Kit to a boy who stood near the ranch house. He was dark-skinned and handsome.
The boy turned and Joy gasped with surprise. ”Who is he?” she whispered to Kit. ”Who is that boy?”
”Oh, just one of the cow hands,” answered Kit.
”You mean a cowboy?”
”Sure.”
”But Kit Patten, you said there were no _handsome_ cowboys! Did you notice his eyes?” Joy pulled at Kit's arm to stop her. ”He's wonderful! So romantic!”
”Come along, Joy Evans, and don't be a little fool. That's just a Mexican boy and I don't see anything romantic about him at all.”
”But his eyes!” thrilled Joy. ”I don't think I ever saw such beautiful eyes. Can't I speak to him?”
”No!” snapped Kit. ”Not now! Wait until you get a little bit of sense. We don't make friends with the Mexican laborers.”
Joy turned reluctantly away. ”Just my luck!--when I find a handsome cowboy to be told I can't make friends with him.”
”Oh, come on, Joy. You're silly!” laughed Bet.
”Don't _you_ think he's handsome, Bet?” asked Joy.
”Well, maybe, a little bit. But if Kit says you're not to be seen talking to him, that goes. Kit knows the ways of the mountains.”
”Yes, and like as not she'll introduce me to some man as ugly as that fellow who just called on the Judge, and I'll be expected to be satisfied with that.”
”Who is that man, Kit?” demanded Bet. ”I don't like him!”
”Few people do like him and those who do are not the kind to chum around with,” answered Kit. ”I've known Kie Wicks ever since I was a little girl, and I've never yet heard any good of him.”
”He looks crafty,” said s.h.i.+rley.
”Like a cat that's just eaten the canary,” added Enid.
”Well, let's not spoil our day by thinking up mean things about that man. Let's nail down the furniture and anything that can be carried away.” Bet laughed merrily as she strode toward the center of the court. ”Come on, let's find Tommy.”
”Oh, look at that lovely dog!” cried Enid. A large collie was coming toward them leisurely. ”He looks like the owner of the ranch.”
”He is! Judge Breckenridge told me about him one day when we were comparing him with Smiley Jim, my own dear dog. I get lonesome for Smiley some days. I do hope Auntie Gibbs is looking after him all right.” Bet patted the head of the collie.
”What's his name?” Enid stooped to examine the bra.s.s plate on his collar. ”It's Rex. That's a nice name for a dog.”
Rex showed his friends.h.i.+p by waving his tail around and going from one to the other of the girls. But a moment later he growled menacingly when Kie Wicks and his wife appeared.