“I—er—really, I do not believe I can explain it to you,” says she. “Unless you have seen one done, it is difficult for the lay mind to grasp⸺”
“That’s a word I’ve been tryin’ to get for years,” says Magpie. “Every time I’ve looked at this Cross J bunch I’ve tried to think of a word to describe their mentality. I thanks yuh for the word ‘lay mind,’ ma’am. Them four snake-hunters sure have that kinda minds.”
“It ain’t the hoochie—” begins Hen.
“It ain’t!” yelps Telescope. “The lady never said nothin’ about muscles. Henry, your horns are gettin’ too long.”
“Clip ’em, cowboy,” challenges Hen. “Start clippin’ and see which one of us gets dehorned first. You’ve got a pretty fair spread yourself. If the lady don’t do that kinda dances it’s her lookout, ain’t it? Yuh don’t need to whoop about it. I noticed yuh down at Silver Bend at the circus⸺”
“Now have a little sense,” advises Magpie. “You pelicans are too danged anxious to show off before the lady. You fellers spillin’ lead up and down the street ain’t gettin’ her a place to lay her head, is it?”
“If she only wants to lay her head—” begins Chuck; but Muley steps on Chuck’s ankle and shoves him aside.
“Ma’am, I apologizes for my friends. They mean well, but they ain’t got no sense. Now, it appears to me that you are lookin’ for a place to sleep.”
“It took that idea a long time to appear to you, Muley,” says Magpie. “Jist in what shape did you get this here bright vision? I don’t think that Piperock needs any assistance from the Cross J cow-outfit when it comes to housin’ our guests. I’ll take care of Miss Harrison, y’betcha.”
“Can’t she get a room at Sam Holt’s place?” asks Chuck, serious-like.