She gave her head an indignant toss and was about to demand the execution of her plan but he turned back to his work, talking gently to the animal. Then with a grudgingly resigned sigh she walked toward the pinto, for there was something about Beck that precluded argument.
Again she told him of a contemplated visit to the ranches further down the creek.
"Why, ma'am?" he asked.
"There are many things to talk over, plans for the summer's work and the like. Besides, I want to become acquainted."
He smiled and said:
"That last is fine, but I guess you'd better wait for the rest."
"Wait? What for?"
"Until you know, ma'am. You see, you've only been here a little while; you've learned a lot, but you don't know enough to talk business with anybody yet. It won't be good for you to go talking about something you don't understand."
"I think I am capable of judging that," she said bruskly. "I will go."
But she did not. She had intended to go the next day but as she lay awake that morning she told herself that he had been right, she did not know enough about her affairs to discuss her relationships with neighbors intelligently. She still smarted from his frankness, but the hurt was leavened by a feeling that behind his presumption had been thought of her own welfare.