"What do they pay you for settin' on that cayuse?"
"Fifteen a month, and board, and the horse to ride."
"Don't mention the hoss, pal. Jest make motions with your hands when you mean him. Talkin' is apt to wake him up."
"He pitched me twice."
"Just havin' bad dreams, that's all," said Overland, grinning. "Fifteen a month and found ain't bad for a bum, is it?"
"Cut that out, Red. I ain't no bum."
"Ex-cuse me. There I gone and laminated your feelin's again. Why in hell don't you blush, or drop your little ole lace handkerchief, or fix your back hair, so I can remember I'm talkin' to a lady? It ain't manners, this here impersonatin' you're a boy like that."
"Quit your kiddin', Red. Mebby you think it was easy to cut out the old stuff, and everybody on the ranch on to what I used to be. I was cryin' the first night. I was lonesome for you."
Overland's eyelids flickered. He grinned. "Uhuh! I could hear you clean over in the Simi Valley. I was thinkin' of comin' right back, only—"
"Oh, if you think I'm lyin to you—"