neither."

"I used to think she might be foolish about Wilfred Compton--but
Lahoma, she ain't foolish about nothing. Nevertheless, Bill, it
ain't right. Settlers is settlers, and what she yearns for is the
big world. I would long since of took her out to see it, but
dassn't from a liability to be catched up for divers deeds that was
unlawfully charged to me in times past. You could have guided her
along the city trails, but was too cussed obstinate."

"She's your cousin," retorted Bill, "and it wasn't for me to act
her guardian. Besides, did you want to lose her? You couldn't take
Lahoma where she'd be seen and known, and expect to get her back
again. Maybe it isn't exactly fair to keep her boarded up--but the
times are changing all that, and sorry am I to see it. Do you know,
Brick, I once thought you and me and Lahoma could just live here in
the cove till time was no more, reading our books, and smoking our
pipes, and taking peaceful morning trips like this--to see whether
we'd caught a coyote in our traps, or a bobcat, or a skunk."

"Yes, that's all right for us; but Lahoma ain't smoking no pipe,
nor is her interest in skunks such as ours."

"Just so--but see how Greer County is getting settled up--that's
what's going to save us, Brick--civilization is coming to Lahoma,
she won't have to go out gunning after it."

"Of course I've thought of that. I ain't got your grammar, but my
mind don't have to wait to let in an idea after it's put its clothes
on. Maybe they comes in nothing but a nightshirt, but I ain't ever