ever he has to Peets, an' thar's no professional hobbles on the lady;
she's footloose, an' free to speak.'

"'We waits on you, Marm,' says Enright, when ten minutes later Boggs,
Cherokee, Texas Thompson an' he is in the kitchen of the O. K.
Restauraw where Missis Rucker is slicin' salt hoss an' layin' the
fragrant foundations of supper; 'we waits on you-all to ask your
advice. Dave Tutt's been carryin' on in a manner an' form at once
doobious an' threatenin'. It ain't too much to say that we-all fears
the worst. We comes now to invite you to tell us all you knows of Dave
an' whatever it is that so onsettles him. Our idee is that you
onderstands a heap about it.'

"'See yere, Sam Enright,' retorts Missis Rucker, pausin' over the salt
hoss, 'you ain't doin' yourse'f proud. You better round up this herd
of inebriates an' get 'em back to the Red Light. Thar's nothin' the
matter with Dave; leastwise if it was the matter with you, you'd be
some improved. Dave Tutt's a credit to this camp; never more so than
now; the same bein' a mighty sight more'n I could say of any of you-all
an' stick to the trooth.'

"'Then you does know, Missis Rucker,' says Enright, 'the secret that's
gnawin' at Dave.'

"'Know it,' replies Misses Rucker, 'of course, I knows it. But I don't
propose to discuss it none with you tarrapins. I ain't got no patience
with sech dolts! Now that you-all is yere, however, I'll give you
notice that to-morry you can begin to do your own cookin' till you
hears further word from me. I'm goin' to be otherwise an' more
congenially engaged. Most likely I'll be back in my kitchen ag'in in a