A colloquy that occurred after supper interested him.
He heard Colonel Ward bellow at some one who was evidently advancing toward the wangan.
“Here you, Connick, where are you goin'?”
“Just to pass a word with the lad,” the man replied.
“Have you got your knittin'?” squalled Ward sarcastically. “There's no call for you to go passin' talk around that wangan camp, Connick. You come away from it.”
But when Connick spoke again it was evident he had not retired.
“It's only right to let him come into the men's camp for a bit this evening, Colonel Ward. There'll be a snatch or so of fiddlin' that he'll like, to cheer him up, and a jig and a song or so. I don't see the harm in mentionin' it to him, to find if he'd like to come. I'll answer for it that he's put back in his nest ag'in all right.”
“Who's runnin' this camp, me or you?”
“You're the man, sir.”
“Well, then, there'll be no invitin' out nor passin' talk. You men have nothin' to do with that chap in that wangan and you'll keep away from him or get your heads broken open. Do you hear what I say? Why don't you come away when I speak?”