“Just amusing myself for a few moments with a little game of solitaire,” explained the boy from Texas, observing the visitor glance toward the cards. “Have to do something to pass away the time, you know. Have the easy chair, won’t you?”
“I—I’m not going to stop long,” faltered Ben. “The other chair will do just as well.”
But Rod laughingly forced him to take the easy chair. “If you’re comfortable, perhaps you won’t be in such a great hurry. It’s a sure enough novelty for me to receive a visitor, and you’ve got me wondering a plenty how you chanced to come round.”
“I wanted to see you,” said Ben slowly. “I wanted to have a talk with you, Rod.”
“Well, we can talk ourselves black in the face, and nobody to bother. Go ahead and string it off.”
“You were lucky to escape being drowned last night.”
“Sure thing. I reckon I’d gone under right there if it hadn’t been for Bunk Lander. He stood by like a man.”
The embarrassment of the visitor became more apparent.
“Doubtless Lander deserves all the credit you give him, Rod.”
“He certain does.”