Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/138

 with your hands so numb you can't hold the bridle reins or feel your feet in the stirrups."

"You bet I know," he replied with emphatic sympathy, "and you're the nerviest girl in the country, Edie. I sure brag on you whenever I get the chance. You-all deserve to make your stake and I'm mighty glad that you didn't think I knew anything about the cattle you been losin'. I won't say I never rustled none for maybe I have, but rustlin' from a friend—why, say, that's downright stealin'."

"I like to think that you consider me—us that," with a touch of shy coquetry.

"What"—he turned in his saddle and looked at her in astonishment—you haven't been thinkin' that I don't look on you folks as my friends?"

"We haven't seen much of you lately," Edith replied, very busy straightening her stirrup that she need not meet his eye. "We waited Sunday dinner twice."

"Did you now?—why, you shouldn't a done that."

"You used to come so regular we kinda got in the way of expectin' you." Her voice shook a little but Ben did not seem to notice it.