“Now you take that puncher in the checkered shirt,� Roy went on, talking more to himself than to Teddy. “He’s a queer proposition. When dad was knocking politeness into that barkeeper to keep him from doing any plugging, old Checkered Shirt could have had things to his own liking. Instead, he runs. Afraid, most likely.� Roy bent lower in the saddle to avoid a tree branch which overhung the trail. “Pop said he was a friend of Gilly Froud’s.�
“I don’t care if he’s a friend of Black Mike, the Killer!� Teddy burst out. “If he flicks a cigarette in my face again I’ll salivate him!�
Roy looked quickly at his brother. He knew the strain the younger boy had been under, and felt that the best thing to do was to take his mind off Flash and Checkered Shirt.
“Say, Teddy,� he said in a loud voice, “what do you think of those two girls dad met on the train?�
Teddy glanced over and grinned.
“Think I need a little cheering up, Roy?� he asked. “Well, maybe I do. Now what was that you wanted to know?�
“Say-y-y-y, you can’t get away with that!� Roy laughed. “You heard me all right!�
“Oh, yes—the girls! Why, I think they’re very nice.â€�
“‘Very nice!’â€� Roy mimicked. “You don’t say! My boy,â€� and his voice took on a paternal note, “I admire your restraint. But then, of course, you know more girls than I do. To me—to me, they were as the breath of springtime!â€�
“Aw, dry up!� Teddy exclaimed sheepishly. “Stop that kidding! You liked ’em as well as I did. Jimminy, I’m thirsty!�