"Some of those jokes will set something afire some of these hot days."
"But you know how hard it is to apprehend the ruffians; they come and go in the night like wolves. They spoiled our outing, but I hope we may get away again next week."
In the days which followed, Curtis saw little of Elsie, and when they met she seemed cold and preoccupied. In conversation she seemed listening to another voice, appeared to be pondering some abstract subject, and Curtis was puzzled and vaguely saddened. Jennie took a far less serious view of the estrangement. "It's just a mood. We've set her thinking; she's 'under conviction,' as the revivalists used to say. Don't bother her and she'll 'come through.'"
Curtis was at lunch on Wednesday when Wilson came to the door and said, "Major, Streeter and a man named Jenks are here and want to see you."
"More stolen cattle to be charged up to the Indians, I suppose."
"I reckon some such complaint—they didn't say."
"Well, tell them to wait—or no—ask them to come over and lunch with me."
Wilson soon returned. "They are very glum, and say they'll wait at the office till you come."
"As they prefer. I will have finished in a few moments."
He concluded not to hasten, however, and the ranchers had plenty of time to become impatient. They met him darkly.