Part 5 (1/2)
”But he wouldn't even draw. Said he wouldn't take a chance!”
”I know. He appeared not to give a hang for the job, but he's a funny man. He an' I never got along any too well. We don't hitch.”
”Is he a good worker?”
”If he wants to be. He don't say much, but he always.... Why, he always seems to be laughin' at everybody and everything.”
”I think _I_ could persuade him to want to work for me.”
”Perhaps. But then, too, he's hot tempered. In kind of bad with some of the boys over trouble he's had.”
”What trouble?”
”Why, princ.i.p.ally because he beat up a man--Sam McKee--on the beef ride last fall.”
”What for?”
”Well.... He thought this man was a little rough with his horse.”
”And he whipped him because he had abused a horse? That, it seems to me, isn't much against him.”
”No; maybe not. He beat him a sight worse than he beat his horse,” he explained, moving uneasily. ”Anyhow, he's settled that. Here he comes now, after his time.”
Jane stepped nearer the window. Beck approached, whistling softly. He wore leather chaps with a leather fringe and great, silver conchos. A revolver swung at his hip. His movements were easy and graceful. She opened the door and, seeing her, he removed his hat.
”I've come for my time, ma'am,” he explained.
”Won't you come in? Maybe you're not going to go just yet.”
He entered and she thought that as he glanced at Hepburn, who did not look up, his eyes danced with a flicker of delight.
”I don't know as I can stay, ma'am. I told your foreman a little while ago that I'd be going. Somebody's got to go, and it may as well be one as another.”
”Don't you think my wishes should be consulted?” she asked.
He twirled his hat, looking at her with a half smile.
”This is your outfit, ma'am. I should think your wishes ought to go, but it won't do for you to start in with more trouble than's necessary.”
”But if I want you and Mr. Hepburn wants you, where is the chance for trouble? You _do_ want him, don't you, Mr. Hepburn?”
The older man looked up with a forced grin.
”Bless you, Miss Hunter, yes! Why, Tom, the only reason I thought we might as well part was because I figured you'd be discontented here.”
”Now! You see, your employer wants you and your foreman wants you. What more can you ask?” the girl exclaimed, facing Beck.
”Nothin' much, of course, unless what I think about it might matter.”
Her enthusiasm ebbed and she looked at him, clearly troubled.