“Indeed! And you so brave, and patient, and good?” she mocked.
“Oh! Am I all that?” asked Bucky easily.
“So I have been given to understand.”
Out of the corner of his eye O’Connor caught the embarrassed, reproachful look that Frances gave her audacious friend, and he found it easy to fit quotation marks round the admirable qualities that had just been ascribed to him. He guessed himself blushing à deux with his little friend, and also divined Miss Carmencita’s roguish merriment at their confusion.
“I am all those things you mentioned and a heap more you forgot to say,” claimed the ranger boldly, to relieve the situation. “Only I didn’t know for sure that folks had found it out. My mind’s a heap easier to know I’m being appreciated proper at last.”
Under her long, dark lashes Miss Carmencita looked at him in gentle derision. “I’m of opinion, sir, that you get all the appreciation that is good for you.”
Bucky carried the war into the enemy’s country. “Which same, I expect, might be said of Chihuahua’s most beautiful belle. And, talking of Señor Valdez reminds me that I owe a duty to his father, who is confined here. I’ll be saying good night ladies.”
“It’s high time,” agreed Miss Megales. “Talking of Señor Valdez, indeed!”
“Good night, Curly said.”
“Good night, Bucky.”