“I think we had better cut it down to me alone. We’ll not burden your hospitality, sir,” said the sheepman.
“No, sir, I’m in on this. Whyfor can’t I go?” demanded Jim.
Bannister, the outlaw, eyed him unpleasantly. “Y’u certainly can so far as I am concerned. I owe y’u one, too, Mr. McWilliams. Only if y’u come of your own free will, as y’u are surely welcome to do, don’t holler if y’u’re not so welcome to leave whenever y’u take a notion.”
“I’ll try and look out for that. It’s settled, then, that we ride together. When do y’u want to start?”
“We can’t go any sooner than right now. I hate to take these young men from y’u, lady, but, as I said, I’ll send them back in good shape. Adios, señorita. Don’t forget to whom y’u belong.” He swaggered to the door and turned, leaning against the jamb with one hand again it. “I expect y’u can say those lovey-dov good-byes without my help. I’m going into the yard. If y’u want to y’u can plug me in the back through the window,” he suggested, with a sneer.
“As y’u would us under similar circumstances,” retorted his cousin.
“Be with y’u in five minutes,” said the foreman.
“Don’t hurry. It’s a long good-bye y’u’re saying,” returned his enemy placidly.
Nora and the young man who belonged to her followed him from the room, leaving Bannister and his hostess alone.
“Shall I ever see you again?” Helen murmured.