“Yes.”
“Say, I didn’t mean anything——”
“Don’t worry about that,” said Connie quickly. “I know what people are saying, and in a way it is true. I trusted too much in the ability of my foreman. About that job, I’ll have Blakeman talk with you. We are short handed, but I’m afraid we can’t pay very much even for a good cowhand.”
“I’d be willing to work almost for my grub.”
“In that case I think we should be able to come to some sort of deal,” Connie laughed.
Lefty and Alkali were working in the corrals when the girl led the horse into the courtyard. They turned to stare at the stranger.
“Lefty!” Connie called. “Come here and help Mr. Barrows into the house. Tell Marie to give him all the food he can eat.”
“You bet!” replied the cowboy.
Supported by Lefty, the stranger walked quite steadily into the kitchen. Connie went to find the foreman. He was not at the barn or in the leather shop, but when she returned a few minutes later to the house, she discovered him talking angrily with Lefty.
“Who is this stranger?” he demanded. “What’s he doing here?”