As the party trudged along the trail, Lefty dropped back to walk with Connie. “I guess I’ve messed things up pretty thoroughly now,” he said gloomily.
“Yes, you have, Lefty. Why did you strike him? It was inexcusable.”
“I just couldn’t help myself, Connie. That fellow has been gettin’ under my skin ever since he came here. He just pulled one crack too many and I saw red.”
“What did he say to you, Lefty?”
“Well, I don’t just remember.”
“Was it about me, Lefty?” Connie pinned him down. “Tell me the truth.”
“Well, yes, it was,” Lefty admitted reluctantly. “He made a remark I didn’t like—intimatin’ that everything you said was just a lot of apple sauce.”
“It was very gallant of you to go to my defense. But I hardly think Cecil’s remark called for such drastic action.”
“It was the way he said it. And I’ve stood a lot from him, Connie. I just lost my head that’s all. I’ll pack up my duds as soon as I get back to the bunk house.”
“Have I asked you to do that, Lefty?”