devoted adherents with the same unostentatious, undemonstrative,
matter-of-fact manner that distinguished his ordinary business.
The men had received it with something of the same manner. A half-
humorous "Thank you, sir"--as if to show that, with their patron,
they tolerated this deference to a popular custom, but were a
little ashamed of giving way to it--expressed their gratitude and
their independence.

"I reckon that the old lady and Mamie are having a high old time in
some of them gilded pallises in St. Petersburg or Berlin about this
time. Them diamonds that I ordered at Tiffany ought to have
reached 'em about now, so that Mamie could cut a swell at Christmas
with her war-paint. I suppose it's the style to give presents in
furrin' countries ez it is here, and I allowed to the old lady that
whatever she orders in that way she is to do in Californy style--no
dollar-jewelry and galvanized-watches business. If she wants to
make a present to any of them nobles ez has been purlite to her,
it's got to be something that Rough-and-Ready ain't ashamed of. I
showed you that pin Mamie bought me in Paris, didn't I? It's just
come for my Christmas present. No! I reckon I put it in the safe,
for them kind o' things don't suit my style: but s'pose I orter
sport it to-morrow. It was mighty thoughtful in Mamie, and it must
cost a lump; it's got no slouch of a pearl in it. I wonder what
Mamie gave for it?"

"You can easily tell; the bill is here. You paid it yesterday,"
said Slinn. There was no satire in the man's voice, nor was there
the least perception of irony in Mulrady's manner, as he returned
quietly,--