"'I'm Bill Joyce, your husband's pardner. Old Tarantula Bill, that
don't fear no man, woman, or child that roams the forest. I'm here
to find what ails you--'

"'Leave this house, sir!'

"'Well, not to any extent. You're a good girl; I knowed it when I
first seen your picture. Now, I want you to tell me--'

"'Insolent! Shall I call the police?' Her voice was icy, and she
stood as solid as stone.

"'Madam, I'm as gentle as a jellyfish, and peaceful to a fault, but
if you raise a row before I finish my talk I'll claim no
responsibility over what occurs to the first eight or ten people that
intrudes,' and I drawed my skinnin' knife, layin' it on the planner.
'Philanthropy is raging through my innards, and two loving hearts
need joining!'

"'I don't love him,' she quotes, like a phonograft, ignoring my
cutlery.

"'I'll take exception to that ruling,' and I picks up a picture of
Justus she'd dropped as I broke in. She never batted an eye.

"'I nursed that lad through brain fever, when all he could utter was
your name.'

"'Has he been sick?' The first sign of spring lit up her peaks.