"What do you mean?" demanded the boy fiercely.
"I ain't said anything, have I?" Healy came back smoothly.
Yeager's quiet voice broke the silence that followed, while Phil was trying to voice the resentment in him.
"You mean what we're all thinking, Brill, I reckon—that she is the sort to forget herself when somebody needs her help. Ain't that it?"
The eyes of the two met steadily in a clash of wills. Healy's gave way for the time, not because he was mastered, but because he did not wish to alienate the rough, but fair-minded, men sitting around.
"You're mighty good at explaining me to the boys, Jim. I expect that is what I mean," he answered sullenly.
"Sure," put in Purdy, with amiable intent.
"But when it comes to Mr. Keller I can explain myself tol'able well. I don't need any help there, Jim, not even if he is yore best friend."
"If you've got anything to say against him, I'll ask you to say it when I'm not around," broke in Phil. "You'll recollect, please, that he's my friend, too."
"That so? Since, when, Phil?" the rodeo boss retorted sarcastically.