June straightened in her chair, her eyes flashing. Silver’s laugh was almost an insult. Reber did not look at her. McLeese grinned in evident enjoyment.
“Silver,” said Reber firmly, “you’re deliberately tryin’ to antagonize us, but I’ll overlook it. I asked you here tonight to make you a proposition. Will you go to work for me as a foreman on one of my ranches?”
It was like a bomb-shell exploding in the room. The idea of offering Jack Silver a position as foreman! The men wondered whether Reber was losing his mind. Even Silver laughed.
“Make me a foreman?” said Silver. “What’s the idea, Reber?”
“That’s my business, Silver. I’m makin’ you that offer.”
Silver’s eyes swept the faces of the five foremen.
“Which ranch?” he asked smiling.
“Any one you’ll take.”
Silver’s amused glance came back to June.
“Which one is the squaw goin’ to take?”