He nodded approvingly and Billy sat staring, for her world had gone topsy-turvy again. She had wanted to leave Jail Canyon and go out into the world, but was it possible that there existed a state of society where there was no right and wrong? 36She sat thinking a minute, her head in a whirl, and then she came back again.
“But when you covered up this mine and tried to keep it for yourself, he–had Mr. Eells ever done you any harm?”
“Well, not yet, kid–that is, I didn’t know it–but believe me, his intentions were good. The time hadn’t come, that’s all.”
“He was your friend, then,” contended Billy, “because Dusty Rhodes said─”
“Dusty Rhodes!” bellowed Wunpost and then he paused. “Go on, let’s get this off your chest.”
“Well, he said,” continued Billy, “that Mr. Eells gave you everything and that you lived off his grubstake for two years; so I don’t think it was right, when you finally found a mine─”
“Say, listen,” broke in Wunpost leaning over and tapping her on the knee while he fixed her with intolerant eyes, “who’s your friend, now–Dusty Rhodes or me?”
“Why–you are,” faltered Billy, “but I don’t see─”
“All right then,” pronounced Wunpost, “if I’m your friend, stay with me. Don’t tell me what Dusty Rhodes said!”
“That’s all right,” she defended, “didn’t I make him apologize? But I’m your friend, too, and I don’t think it was right─”