Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/191

 "I talk down to you," said Gedge.

Ranger showed for once an adequate sense of the situation.

"Well, if you put it that way," he said, "I reckon I take it back. I'm not in your class as a shot, I own it; and if I was to follow my unreasonable desires and bash you with this tumbler I know I'd be dead, and no use to my dependent relatives. I take it back, Gedge. I'll say no more about it. Set up the drinks, Tom."

And Habersham walked into the saloon just as we all made a move for the bar. No one thought any the worse of Ranger for "taking water." There are ways of doing it, and, fool or none, he did it right.

"Habersham, drink with me and these gents," said Ranger. "Me and Gedge has been arguin', and Gedge hez won. I own it."

"What's the trouble?" asked Habersham, laughing. "Gedge let on he reckoned me a fool," replied Ranger, "and a leetle discussion ensued. I am a fool, and I'll stand nose-paint