“Where?”
“Why, here.”
“Here? What d’ y’ expect anybody to do here?”
“Isn’t there a camp just over yonder?”
“Up in the hills. Yep, there’s a camp there all right.”
“Nothing in it, though?”
“Plenty. Things are boomin’ out there. Thought you meant here.” And he looked past the new arrivals in an unpleasant, shifty fashion.
They exchanged glances. Hildegarde was so sure Louis wouldn’t go away and leave such an individual hanging about that she felt no surprise at hearing him offered money “to come along and show the way.”
When the two had agreed on the price of this service, Cheviot said: “I’ll be ready in a minute. I want to find a more comfortable seat for this lady,” and off he bolted toward the rocks.
The man eyed Hildegarde askance, and made some observation.