Page:Honore Willsie--Judith of the godless valley.djvu/175

 "I'm glad you haven't lost your head entirely," said the old lady. "Jimmy, I wish you'd ask Little Marion to come over and help me out for a day or so. Lulu is coming home for a little visit."

"I'll ask her," said Jimmy. "But she won't come. She isn't so well. You'd better stop by and see her."

Old Johnny suddenly laughed. "He depones like you was a doctor that went out to make visits, Sister."

The old lady grunted as she gave Jimmy a keen look. "What's her mother say about her?"

"Why, you know Mrs. Falkner isn't back from Mountain City yet. She left before Charleton went out after wild horses," replied Jimmy.

"How should I know? I've hardly been off the ranch this summer. I guess I will stop by."

Old Johnny cleared his throat. "I was thinking I'd ask John if he'd let me go along up with him and Judith when they went to Mountain City. I got quite a gregus sum of money saved up and I never did see Frontier Day yet."

"That's right, Johnny! You ask him," said Douglas, with a remote twinkle in his eye.

"Johnny, you are a fool, I swear!" exclaimed Grandma. "Let me catch you lally-gagging off to Mountain City! Come on, let's get started."

"Anyhow, Doug is my friend," said the old man, belligerently, as he followed his sister.

"If I go, I'll take you along, Johnny!" exclaimed Douglas. "See if I don't!"

"You sure are crazy, Doug!" laughed Jimmy.

"I like the old boy," insisted Douglas. "He and I had better go up and see Jude rake in the prizes."

"Right now every prize has been doled out to the regulars," cried Jimmy. "But you should care, Jude!