Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/40

 landlord with elaborate sarcasm, "for gittin' on the prod about nothin'!"

He returned to the bar in obvious disgust at the result of his efforts to promote sociability among his guests.

When Nan had breakfasted, Mr. Poth indicated a bench which he had placed in the shade of a wide-spreading cottonwood-tree that grew in front of the hotel.

"Thought you might like to set out and sun yourself," suggested Mr. Poth, and Nan thanked him as she sat down and leaned her back against the tree, quite unconscious of the eyes at every window in the vicinity.

Humming contentedly as she kept time to the rhythm with the toe of one small, perfectly shod foot, she did not hear Mr. McCaffrey scuffling noisily in the doorway behind her.

His efforts to attract her attention proving futile, he strained himself in a cough of great violence, and then affected a start of surprise when she turned and commented sympathetically upon his cold.

His cough ceased immediately and he stepped down briskly and seated himself beside her.