“That is what I have been writing to him to-day. As I have to buy cattle for the mines, and I am willing to pay him a good price, he ought to sell them all to me, and when he gets his rancho clear of trespassers then buy finer breeds and restock the rancho.”
“A most excellent idea,” George said.
Robert Gunther passed by, driving his four-in-hand at a furious speed, with a very handsome girl sitting by his side. He bowed as he passed.
Mercedes laughed, saying he looked “sheepish,” and though he did not hear what she said, he blushed to the roots of his hair, and ran against a heavy carriage which slowly rolled ahead of him, loaded with four elderly ladies, who screamed terrified. This mishap only increased Bob's confusion, forcing him to check his speed.
“Do you want our assistance?” George asked, laughing.
“No, thanks. If people did not come to drive their funerals through the park, no one would run over them,” Bob said.
“And you want to kill them, so as not to have funerals without dead bodies?” Mercedes asked.
“Be merciful! Remember your name is Mercedes,” said poor, embarrassed Bob.
Whereupon Mercedes wafted a kiss to him, saying: “That goes as a peace offering.”
“Ah, yes; I understand,” said he, following her with his eyes. “A kiss to the empty air is all you will ever give me.”