‘We didn’t get to stay in Mexico,’ Elbert complained after a time. ‘We had to come right back.’
Cal and Slim looked at each other, faces long and grave.
‘He didn’t get to stay,’ said Cal.
‘Only one horse went over back with him,’ said Slim. ‘Only one powder magazine blew up. Only hit by one forty-five—’
‘Had to come right back,’ said Cal.
‘I thought I’d get to ride,’ said Elbert, ‘but I had to drive that car—’
Cal inquired after a moment: ‘Do you reckon we might take Elbert along again sometime?’
‘I ain’t a well man. I ain’t ready to state as to that right now’,’ said Slim. ‘I need to be babied along at Heaslep’s, where they ain’t rough, and talk gentle—’
‘He wants to hear about old hoof-and-mouth,’ Cal suggested.
‘They’re going to let me out of here to-morrow,’ said Elbert. ‘I’ll be goin’ up to Tucson—to meet my father.’