He rejoined Echo as he spoke. The guests reseated themselves. Mrs. Allen laid her hand on Jack's shoulder and said: "Just the same, it ain't right and proper for you to be together before the ceremony without a chaperonie."
"Nothin' that's right nice is ever right proper," laughed Slim.
"Well, it ain't the way folks does back East," replied Mrs. Allen tartly, glaring at the Sheriff.
"Blast the East," growled Allen. "We does things in our own way out here."
With a mischievous smile, Slim glanced at his comrades, and then solemnly observed: "Still, I hear they does make the two contractin'-parties sit off alone by themselves—"
"What for?" asked Jack.
"Why, to give them the last bit of quiet enjoyment they're goin' to have for the rest of their lives," chuckled Slim.
The cowboys laughed hilariously at the sally, but Mrs. Allen, throwing her arms about Echo's neck, burst into tears, crying: "My little girl."
"What's the use of opening up the sluices now, Josephine?"
"Let her alone, Jim," drawled Slim; "her feelin's is harrowed some, an' irrigation is what they needs most."