It was a hot night. Sweat prickled on Bartley's forehead. His nose itched. He lit a cigar. It tasted bitter, so he asked Cheyenne for tobacco and papers, and rolled a cigarette. He inhaled a whiff, and felt more comfortable. The Mexicans, who had ceased to talk when Bartley and Cheyenne entered, were now at it again, making plenty of noise.
Cheyenne hummed to himself and tapped the floor with his boot-heel. "She's a funny old world," he declared.
Bartley nodded and blew a smoke-ring.
"Miss Dorry's sure a interestin' girl," asserted Cheyenne.
Bartley nodded again.
"Kind of young and innocent-like."
Again Bartley nodded.
"It ain't a bad country to settle down in, for folks that likes to settle," said Cheyenne.
Bartley glanced sharply at his companion. Cheyenne was gazing straight ahead. His face was unreadable.
"Now if I was the settlin' kind--" He paused and slowly turned toward Bartley. "A man could raise alfalfa and chickens and kids."