Overton did not speak, and Lyster continued speculating on his chances, when he noticed his companion’s silence.
“Why don’t you speak, Dan? I did hope you would help me rather than be indifferent.”
“Help you!” and Lyster was taken aback at the fierce straightening of the brows and the strange tone in which the words were uttered. The older man could not but see his surprised look, for he recovered himself, and dropped his hand in the old familiar way on Lyster’s shoulder.
“Not much chance of my helping you when she employs you as an agent when she wants any service, rather than exchange words with me herself. Now, that is the way it looks, Max.”
“I know,” agreed Lyster. “And to tell the truth, Dan, the only thing she does that really vexes me is her queer attitude toward you of late. I can’t think she means to be ungrateful, but—” 259
“Don’t bother about that. Everything has changed for her lately, and she has her own troubles to think of. Don’t you doubt her on my account. Just remember that. And if—she says ’yes’ to you, Max, be sure I would rather see her go to you than any other man I know.”
“That is all right,” observed Lyster, laughingly; “but if you only had a love affair or two of your own, you could perhaps get up more enthusiasm over mine.”
Then he sauntered off to report the financial interview to ’Tana, and laughed as he went at the impatient look flung at him by Overton.
He found ’Tana visiting at the tent of the cousins, who were using all arguments to persuade her to share their new abode. Each was horrified to learn that she had dismissed the squaw at sleeping time, and had remained in the cabin alone.
“Not quite alone,” she corrected, “for Harris was just on the other side of the door.”