The proprietor now added his voice. “It'll sober him up to spend his night out in the brush. He'll quit his talk then.”
But the Virginian did not say the word, or any word. He stood playing with the nickels.
“Think of her,” muttered McLean.
“Who else would I be thinking of?” returned the Southerner. His face had become very sombre. “She has been raised so different!” he murmured. He pondered a little, while the others waited, solicitous.
A new idea came to the proprietor. “I am acting mayor of this town,” said he. “I'll put him in the calaboose and keep him till you get married and away.”
“Say the word,” repeated Honey Wiggin.
Scipio's eye met the proprietor's, and he shook his head about a quarter of an inch. The proprietor shook his to the same amount. They understood each other. It had come to that point where there was no way out, save only the ancient, eternal way between man and man. It is only the great mediocrity that goes to law in these personal matters.
“So he has talked about me some?” said the Virginian.
“It's the whiskey,” Scipio explained.
“I expect,” said McLean, “he'd run a mile if he was in a state to appreciate his insinuations.”