"We been kind o' sizin' up things," stated Cotton as Gary and he entered the cabin; an excuse for their absence that was unnecessary and obviously manufactured.
Pete smiled. "I got 'em sized up. Never did cotton to workin' in the dark."
Gary paused in the act of unsnapping his chaps.
He was about to say something when Andy White interrupted by suggesting that they turn in early and rise early that they might get the work done in daylight and not have to spend another night at the cabin.
Gary dragged an old mattress from the bedroom and, dropping it beneath the window, spread his blanket, rolled up in it, and at Cotton's query as to sharing half of the mattress told Cotton to "sleep where he dam' pleased."
"He's a friendly cuss, ain't he?" remarked Pete.
"Who?" asked Gary, half-rising.
"Why, Cotton, there," replied Pete. "You didn't think I was meanin' you, did you?"
Andy nudged Pete in the dark. "All right," said Pete, ignoring Andy's meaning. "You git your blanket and we'll bush outside."
They spread their blankets under a cedar, some distance from the cabin, and lay gazing at the stars.