“It's Vic,” said Dan quietly, and then the door opened which led into the kitchen and the tall form of Gregg entered. He paused there.
“Here I am again, ma'am.”
“Good evening,” she answered faintly.
He cleared his throat, embarrassed.
“Darned if I didn't play a fool game today—hello, Dan.”
The other nodded.
“Rode in a plumb circle and come back where I started.” He laughed, and the laughter broke off a little shortly. He stepped to the wall and hung up his bridle on its peg, which is the immemorial manner of asking hospitality in the mountain-desert. “Hope I ain't puttin' you out, Kate. I see you got company.”
She started, recalled from her thoughts.
“Excuse me, Vic. Vic Gregg, Buck Daniels, Lee Haines.”
They shook hands, and Vic detained Haines a moment.