"They all come and tell me their troubles. It's because I got red hair and a open countenance."
"Tell me, what's my girl confided to your red hair and open face?" says he. "I'd like to know."
"You notice a good many flowers around the last few weeks?" says I.
"I haven't noticed nothing else," says he.
"And that didn't make nothing occur to your mind?"
"Oh, yes, it did; only I didn't want to say anything to the kid—I didn't want to try to influence her in any way, shape or manner, in a time like this. Only I told her quite a while ago that Tom Kimberly was the only young man I seen in town that I'd allow to come around at all. I only said to her that the old man was my best friend and I liked Tom's ma as much as I could any woman with gray hair.
"Still, I said gray hair was all right for a grandma. Why, Curly," says he, "I been plumb thoughtful and tactful. I ain't said a word to let Bonnie Bell know what I thought about Tom Kimberly. I believe in leaving a young girl plumb free to follow her own mind and heart."
"Uh-huh! Yes, you do!" says I. "The truth is, Colonel, you believe in running the whole ranch here like you done out West. Now if you'd only keep out of this game and leave me alone in it you'd find things would come out a heap better," says I.
"But I just said I ain't said a word," says he. "She can do whatever she likes about getting married——"
"Just so she married Tom Kimberly," says I. "Ain't that about it?"