"Yes; she is prouder of it than there is really any need of, though I
think probably her pride is unconscious and a matter of habit."

"I haven't been able to make out yet whether you like her," he laughed.

"I don't see what my liking has to do with it."

"I expect to meet her, and I want to use your judgment to base mine on."

"Oh, you expect to meet her?"

She said it lightly, yet with a certain emphasis that he noted.

"Don't you think she will let me? Do I have to show blue blood before I
can be presented? One of my ancestors came over on the _Mayflower_. Will
that do?"

Her raillery met his.

"That ought to do, I should think. I suppose you have brought
genealogical proofs with you?"

"I clean forgot. Won't you please get on and ride now? I feel like a
false alarm, playing the invalid on you, ma'am."

"No; I'll walk. We're almost at the ranch. It's just under this hill.
But there's one thing I want to ask of you as a favor."

"It's yours," he replied briefly.