Reed flushed angrily, started a denial, thought better of it and moved away. He did not care to discuss such a painful affair, and had hoped that no one would ever know that Big Medicine had thrown him out.
“I thought that him and Hawkworth were good friends,” said Baldy.
“I dunno anythin’ about it, except that he came out on his ear. Mebbe that’s a mark of friendship in this country.”
“Not hardly,” grinned Baldy. “Mebbe Jim Reed was tryin’ to sell Hawkworth some minin’ property. I see yuh brought the young feller back with yuh. Is he all right again?”
“Able to take care of himself,” said Hashknife. “He don’t weigh very heavy, as a man, Kern.”
“Didja find out what he’s doin’ here, or what he intended to do here?”
Hashknife shook his head.
“No, he didn’t say. He’s an ungrateful young pup, I know that much about him. Mrs. Hawkworth nursed him all this time, took care of him every minute, and he swore at her when he left. If his body was heavy enough to break his neck, he’d probably been hung long ago.”
Baldy grinned at Hashknife’s opinion of Meline’s son, whether he agreed with Hashknife or not. Baldy sat down at one of the games and Hashknife drifted away to join Sleepy and Ike. None of them wanted to gamble or drink, and Pinnacle held little else to amuse them, so they decided to go home.