“Gentlemen,” said the Virginian, “I know you will all oblige me.”
“Sure!” exclaimed the proprietor, heartily, “We'll see that everybody lets this thing alone.”
The Virginian gave a general nod to the company, and walked out into the street.
“It's a turruble shame,” sighed Scipio, “that he couldn't have postponed it.”
The Virginian walked in the open air with thoughts disturbed. “I am of two minds about one thing,” he said to himself uneasily.
Gossip ran in advance of him; but as he came by, the talk fell away until he had passed. Then they looked after him, and their words again rose audibly. Thus everywhere a little eddy of silence accompanied his steps.
“It don't trouble him much,” one said, having read nothing in the Virginian's face.
“It may trouble his girl some,” said another.
“She'll not know,” said a third, “until it's over.”
“He'll not tell her?”