Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/258

 you're worth against the latest favourite. But Miss Sallie—she's an angel!"

"Look here, Bob, you're not in love with her?"

"Well, I'm convalescing at present my boy. Every boy in the town has been there, but I don't believe she cares a snap for a man of us unless it's that big red-headed McLeod. I can't make his position out exactly."

"Did she jolt you hard when you hit the ground?"

"Easiest thing you ever saw. She has a supreme genius for painless cruelty. When the time comes she can pull your eye-tooth out in such a delicate friendly way you will have to swear she hasn't hurt you."

"You still go?"

"Lord yes, we all do,—sort of a congress of the lost meet down there. They all hang on. She keeps the friendship of every poor devil she kills."

"You know you make the cold chills run down my back when you talk like that."

"Are you in love with her, Gaston?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't know."

"Then what in the thunder have you been doing out there two days and nights, if you haven't made love to her?"

"Just basking in the sun."

"Well, you are a fool. Eleven hours the first day, and fifteen hours yesterday. Confound you, don't you know a dozen fellows in town are cursing you for all they can think of?"

"What about?"

"Why for trying to hog the whole time, day and night. She won't let a mother's son of them come near till you're gone."

"Well, that's immense!" exclaimed Gaston slapping his friend on the back.