Duffy shuffled his feet, then looked at Nona and at Rock.
“No hard feelin’s about that hangin’ expedition?” He inquired diffidently.
“None whatever.” Rock shook his head. “You spoke for me like a man, Elmer, when you were satisfied who I was. I thank you for that.”
“Well, shake on it.” Duffy suddenly held out his hand. “You never bamboozled me, anyway. I respect you enough to admit I’d rather be friendly than fight.”
“Same here,” Rock agreed heartily.
“Guess I’ll step out an’ say hello to Uncle Bill,” Duffy said quietly. “Then I guess I’ll split the breeze. So long. So long, Nona.”
So he went. As he stepped out, Alice Snell from somewhere about the house espied the elderly gentleman from Fort Worth and ran to meet him with welcoming shrieks. The three of them stood in a knot talking.
“So it was you that Charlie went off with!” Nona exclaimed.
Rock nodded.
“Say, mind if I camp myself in a chair, Nona? I’ve got a game leg, and I’m more or less caved in otherwise.”