"You're a jealous sort of bridegroom?" said Wid, laughing openly.
The dull color of Sim's face showed the anger in his heart. "That lady, she's there at my house," said he, "and she's going to be left alone there. She's sort of shy. This country's plumb new to her."
"But honest, Sim"—and his neighbor's curiosity now was apparent—"what sort of a looker is she?"
"Prettier'n a spotted pup!" said Sim succinctly.
"She like the country pretty well?"
"Says it's the prettiest she ever seen," replied Sim. "That's what she said."
"And you owe all this to me, come to simmer it down."
"I ain't simmering nothing down," said Sim. "Here's your gate. Down there is mine. Don't none of you go in there until I tell you it's time, that's all."
"Well, I dunno as I care to," replied Wid.
"Better not," said Sim Gage. "I ain't a-going to have that girl bothered by nobody. Of course, you and me both knows we ain't married, and won't never be. It was a housekeeper I was after, and I got one, and a damn good one. But I don't want her bothered by no one fer a while. I've played this game on the level with her so far, anyways, and I allow to play it that way all the way through."