The cowboys mumbled greetings which Carolyn June and Ophelia graciously acknowledged.
Sing Pete had laid two extra covers.
"You boys can take your regular places—all except you, Parker," Old Heck said, "—you set at that side on this end," pointing to the seat at the left next to the head of the table. "Carolyn June, you can set at that end and Ophelia at this end—I'll set here," taking the seat at the widow's right and directly across from Parker.
This placed Old Heck, Bert Lilly, Pedro and Skinny Rawlins on the right of the table in the order named, Skinny sitting at the end on Carolyn's left. On the opposite side sat Parker, Chuck Slithers and Charley. Next to Charley, at the right of Carolyn June, and opposite Skinny, was a vacant chair.
"Who is this for?" Carolyn June inquired, indicating the unoccupied seat.
"That's th' Ramblin' Kid's place," Old Heck replied; "he may come in and again he mayn't—"
"It was him you saw to-day," Skinny added, "riding down toward the
Narrows when we was coming from Eagle Butte."
"Do you know; where he went, Parker?" Old Heck asked.
"No. When we started over to the Springs he was here. Said he reckoned we could get along without him and he wouldn't go—"
"He's just got one of them lonesome spells," Bert said, "and wanted to get off by himself somewhere."