Page:Beyond the Horizon (1920).djvu/62

46 never been a damn fool like most, if that’s what you’re steerin’ at.

—[Tauntingly.] Sour grapes, aren’t they, Dick? [She laughs. and his father chuckle. sputters with annoyance.] Good gracious, Dick, you do act silly, flying into a temper over nothing.

[Indignantly.] Nothin’! Is that what you call it—nothin’? You talk as if I wasn’t concerned nohow in this here business. Seems to me I’ve got a right to have my say. Ain’t I gone to all sorts o’ trouble gettin’ the sta’b’d cabin all cleaned out and painted and fixed up so’s that Robert o’ yours ’d be comfortable? Ain’t I made all arrangements with the owners and stocked up with some special grub all on Robert’s account?

—You’ve been fine, Uncle Dick; and I appreciate it. Truly.

—’Course; we all does, Dick.

—And don’t spoil it now by getting angry at us.

—[Unplacated.] It’s all right for you to say don’t this and don’t that; but you ain’t seen things from my side of it. I’ve been countin’ sure on havin’ Robert for company on this vige—to sorta talk to and show things to, and teach, kinda, and I got my mind so set on havin’ him I’m goin’ to be double lonesome this vige. [He pounds on the table, attempting to cover up this confession of weakness.] Darn all this silly lovin’ business, anyway.