The chuckle of the stranger made her whirl.
“Get out, Whiskers,” she commanded, “or I’ll pull a gun an’ give you a free shave.”
The man rose obediently and went from the room to the porch. Harry followed him out and swung into the saddle of his horse. His father delayed an instant.
“Now cut out this talk of goin’ to the dance,” said Jim During. “You stay right here, an’ if any of the boys come in late fix them up some chow. I got to slide over to see old Jones on some—some business.”
“Sure you do,” said Jac scornfully. “I know that kind of business. It comes five in a hand and you draw to it.”
The hair of her father seemed to take on a deeper tinge of red.
“Well?” he said.
“Well?” she replied no less angrily. “If I couldn’t play no better hand of poker than you do, I’d go no farther than solitaire, believe me.”
“Jacqueline!”
“Don’t swear at me!” said Jac. “If you think I ain’t right, just sit down and play a hand with me.”