"Honest, I didn't mean to tell you, Steve. It slipped out."

"I won't hold it against you."

"She sent for me last night, and this morning I dropped round. Now,
what do you reckon she wanted with me?"

"Give it up."

"I'm to take a day off and ride around among the boys, so as to see
them before Jed does. I'm to load 'em up with misrepresentations about
how you and the sheriff happen to be working in cahoots. I gathered
that the lady is through with you, but she don't want your scalp
collected by the boys."

"I'm learning to be thankful for small favors," Fraser said dryly.
"She figures me up a skunk, but hates to have me massacreed in her
back yard. Ain't that about it, Dick?"

"Somewheres betwixt and between," France nodded. "Say, you lads going
to the dance at Millikan's?"

"Didn't know there was one."

"Sure. Big doings. Monday night. Always have a dance after the spring
round-up. Jed and his friends will be there-- that ought to fetch
you!" Dick grinned.

"I haven't noticed any pressing invitation to my address yet," said
Steve.