“Why didn’t you?” remarked Rat. His eyes, which were unnaturally small, contracted as he spoke, until the expression startled the young trapper.
“Because Jean thought we would do better not to go with a crowd, but to go off by ourselves.”
“That Jean of yours is a fool.”
“But I thought that is what you yourself said,” suggested Reuben, “and that you wanted to trap alone and not with a good many others.”
“There’s a mighty sight o’ difference when I say it and when this friend o’ yours says it.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Look here, my friend,” said Rat, turning sharply upon his companion. “There are better men than you got into trouble from asking too many questions.”
“But you asked a good many questions of me.”
“Did I get into any trouble by askin’ ’em?” demanded Rat, as he laughed loudly.
“Not yet.”