"A putty smart boy, who thinks it looks nice ter have his hair long, an' who likes ter put on lugs 'cause he's got some putty gals with him," answered the cowboy, after a slight pause.
"So that is your opinion, is it?"
"I reckon it is, young feller."
"Well, don't you think a person has a right to wear good clothes if he can well afford it?"
"Oh, yes. I ain't sayin' nothin' about that. But clothes don't make ther man—or boy, either. How long have you been West, Sonny?"
"How long have you been West?"
"About fifteen years, I reckon."
"Well, I can beat you by three or four years, then. Anything more you would like to know?"
"Oh, tell him ter dry up, Luke!" said the first speaker. "What's ther use of talkin' ter ther young dandy? Him an' ther other boy has hired ther man they've got with 'em ter take 'em around an' show 'em ther sights; an' they've, got ther man rigged out in buckskin an' fancy trimmin's, jest ter make 'em all attract attention. I'll bet I'm right on that!"
He turned to our hero as he said this and acted as though he was sure he was right.