For once the debonair foreman’s ready tongue had brought him to defeat. He was about to retire from the field temporarily when Nora herself offered first aid to the wounded.
“We would like to have you come along with us, Mr. McWilliams. I want you to come if you can spare the time.”
The soft eyes telegraphed an invitation with such a subtle suggestion of a private understanding that Mac was instantly encouraged to accept.
He knew, of course, that she was playing them against each other and sitting back to enjoy the result, but he was possessed of the hope common to youths in his case that he really was on a better footing with her than the other boys. This opinion, it may be added, was shared by Denver, Frisco and even Reddy as regards themselves. Which is merely another way of putting the regrettable fact that this very charming young woman was given to coquetting with the hearts of her admirers.
“Any time y’u get oneasy about that cough y’u go right on home, Denver. Don’t stay jest out of politeness. We’ll never miss y’u, anyhow,” the foreman assured him.
“Thank y’u, Mac. But y’u see I got to stay to keep Miss Nora from getting bored.”
“Was it a phrenologist strung y’u with the notion y’u was a cure for lonesomeness?”
“Shucks! I don’t make no such claims. The only thing is it’s a comfort when you’re bored to have company. Miss Nora, she’s so polite. But, y’u see, if I’m along I can take y’u for a walk when y’u get too bad.”
They reached the little trail that ran up to Lee Ming’s place, and Denver suggested that Mac run in with the bundle so as to save Nora the climb.
“I’d like to, honest I would. But since y’u thought of it first I won’t steal the credit of doing Miss Nora a good turn. We’ll wait right here for y’u till y’u come back.”