“Only a hundred or two. But the men from miles and miles go there because––because there are places there where they can stand the wolf off at the green-topped tables and––drink.” The troubled look was in her eyes again. “Sometimes the wolf catches up with them before they get home,” she added, smiling faintly.
“It’s not a safe system,” he said thoughtfully.
“But you might get work in Dry Lake,” she said hopefully. “You––you look capable. The cattlemen from back in the hills go there and they’re nearly always looking for men, I’ve heard. You might meet some of them and get a job.”
He beamed upon her. “I’ve always heard that a woman gave a man encouragement an’ ambition, if she was a good one,” he mused. “You’ve almost got me thinking I’d better go straight to work.”
“Why––didn’t––wasn’t that your intention?” she asked wonderingly.
His face clouded. “It ain’t always so easy for me to do what I want to do, miss,” he said. “I––you see–––” He broke off his speech with a frown. “This is a queer country, miss,” he said earnestly.
“Oh, I know,” she said eagerly. “I’ll bet you’re an––an officer!”
Then he laughed. It was the spontaneous laugh of youth, vibrant, compelling, mirth-inspiring.
“Say, miss, if there’s one thing I ain’t tackled yet, it’s being an officer,” he chuckled as he finished his repast.