Maudie made a low sound of impatience, and pushed her empty glass aside.
"Oh, very well, go your own way! Waste the whole spring doin' Si's assessment for him. And when the bottom drops out o' recordin', you'll see Si gettin' some cheechalko to buy an interest in that rottin' hole o' his—"
Her jaw fell as she saw the Colonel's expression.
"He's got you too!" she exclaimed.
"Well, didn't you say yourself that night you'd be glad if McGinty'd let you a lay?"
"Pshaw! I was only givin' you a song and dance. Not you neither, but that pardner o' yours. I thought I'd learn that young man a lesson. But I didn't know you'd get flim-flammed out o' your boots. Thought you looked like you got some sense."
Unmoved by the Colonel's aspect of offended dignity, faintly dashed with doubt, she hurried on:
"Before you go shellin' out any more cash, or haulin' stuff to Glory Hallelujah, just you go down that prospect hole o' McGinty's when McGinty ain't there, and see how many colours you can ketch."
The Colonel looked at her.
"Well, I'll do it," he said slowly, "and if you're right—"