about it. You don't seem to care whether you ever get married or not.
And I'm sure I wasn't the one that did the proposing. Why, it will
take years and _years_ to square up with dad, if you insist on doing it
in a regular business way--"

Johnny's harsh laugh stopped her. "You see, you do know where I stand,
after all. If I let it slide, the way you want me to, that's exactly
what you'd be thinking after awhile--that I never had squared up with
your dad. You'd look down on me, and so would your father and your
mother. They'd always be afraid I'd do some fool thing and sting your
dad again for a few thousand."

"Well, of all the crazy talk! And I've gone to the trouble of coaxing
dad to give you a share in the Rolling R instead of putting it in his
will for me. And dad's going to do it--"

"Oh, no, he isn't. I don't want any share in the Rolling R. I'd go to
jail before I'd take it."

Mary V produced woman's final argument. "If you cared anything at all
for me, Johnny, when I ask you to come back and do what dad is willing
to have you do, you'd do it. I don't see how you can be stubborn
enough to refuse such a perfectly wonderful offer. You wouldn't, if
you cared a snap about me. You act just as if you were sorry--"

"Aw, lay off that don't-care stuff!" Johnny growled indignantly.
"Caring for you has got nothing to do with it, I tell you. It's just
simply a question of what kinda mark I am. You know I care!"

"Well, then, if you do you'll come right over here. If you start now