“Jones,” said the other thickly, “I think the devil himself is in you to-day. You poor, headstrong fool! I sent for you to do you a kindness.”
Jones rose anxiously.
“Shall I call a doctor?”
“Well, I did; but you make it hard for me.”
“Yes, yes! And you not used to doing kind things, either!” said Jones sympathetically. “Go on. We’re all with you. Give it a name.”
Bennett paced up and down, clasping his hands behind his back.
“You know I have a cattle ranch out Luna way? Ever been there?”
“Not any. I stick to the east side. Saragossa is my furthest west; and, as you know, I’ve never been here before. But don’t let me interrupt. You were working yourself up to a kindness.”
Bennett flinched at his careless contempt, but he forced himself to go on.
“I was intending to offer you a job as my foreman.”