“No-o-o—” Jake began, but with memory thus stimulated Sliver recalled him.
“Julius Seize-her! you’re right!” As the possibilities of the late situation flashed upon him he gave a low whistle. “What an escape! We’ve had some close calls in our time, but none to beat it. ’Twas lucky he didn’t recognize us, for he’d sure have peached, an’ I wouldn’t have Lady-girl to know for a cold million.”
“Nor me,” Jake added. “But it ain’t likely—now.”
“Thank God for that!” Sliver exclaimed it with almost religious fervor. With deep thankfulness Bull repeated it in his mind.
[XV: BULL AND THE WIDOW CONSPIRE]
“Ain’t that queer?”
The Three were in full enjoyment of the noon smoke on the broad plank bench in front of their ’dobe. Though Lee always encouraged them to smoke in the house, they preferred it there—partly through a rooted instinct that, no matter how cleverly she dissemble, woman is the natural enemy of “Lady Nicotine,” regarding her always as a formidable rival; secondly, because, while sitting at ease, the life of the compound passed under their eyes. Just now, when Sliver’s remark broke the hot noon silence, their attention was concentrated upon Gordon, who sat in the doorway of a ’dobe opposite, playing with a chubby girl of three, while its dark mother looked on with a pleased smile.
“Ain’t what queer?” Jake sent a stream of smoke rings writhing through the warm air. “There’s so many queer things down here I’ll have to ask you to come again.”
Sliver nodded at Gordon. “Ain’t it odd how he cottons to them little Mexes? To me they’re no more’ n little brown dogs. Did you know he sat up night afore last with a sick one?”
“No-o-o-o!” Jake’s surprise knew no bounds.