Pay S. Well, I’ll be—(catches himself) this is a s’prise, Grouse.
Grouse. Miss Baker if you please, Mr. Rogers.
Pay S. (Surprised.) Oh—of course! Excuse me. No offense I hope, Miss Baker.
Grouse. Mr. Rogers, let me interduce Miss Lawton. She’s travelin’ to see the mountains.
Pay S. (Bows awkwardly.) I’m awful glad to see you, Miss Lawton. You take the chair. Grouse, I reckon you’ll have to squat on a log.
Grouse. (Sitting on table.) Jim Rogers, where’s yer manners? Nicknames don’t go afore company.
Pay S. No, of course not. (To Flo.) I beg pardon, Miss Lawton, but ye see all the miners called her the Rocky Mountain Grouse, long ago when she was a little tot.
Grouse. (Making face.) Long ago! I like that. I s’pose I’m old Methusalem now.
Pay S. (Embarrassed.) Now looky hyur, Grouse—I mean Miss Mollie Baker, what ails ye? I didn’t mean nothin’. Ye’re techy as powder to-day. (To Flo.) Excuse me, Miss, but I’m a little off on talkin’ to ladies. Haint been in society sence I left Joplin, Missouri, five years ago.
Flo. Oh, don’t be formal, Mr. Rogers, I like the mountain ways.