Grouse. Where in creation have you been all mornin’?
Vance. I felt out of sorts and I went over to the mineral spring to take a good drink of that water.
Grouse. I’ll bet you are the first man in Ruby Camp that ever walked two miles fur a drink o’ water.
Vance. I like to watch the silver bubbles boiling up from the clear depths.
Grouse. Well, I don’t go much on them silver bubbles. The silver in em’s too thin. Did ye meet anybody?
Vance. (Laughs.) Yes, Lonesome Mose going to his claim. He looks lonesomer than ever, lately. (Meaning look at her.)
Grouse. Humph! Lonesome Mose! I mean, didn’t ye meet nobody at all?
Vance. Nobody else. (At stove.) Any one lookin’ for me? Where’s our skillet? I want to get dinner.
Grouse. (Impatiently.) I don’t know nothin’ about yer ole skillet. Say, Mr. Vance, did you know any young ladies in Illinois?