Page:West of Dodge (1926).pdf/286

 a drawer of his desk, and solemnly offered Hall his hand.

"The incident is dead," he said.

"And buried," Hall rejoined.

"Will you—step out with me and join me in a little refreshment, Doctor?" Ross proposed, looking at Hall with straight, meaning, invitational glance.

"Why, I"—Hall hesitated a moment—"I'll be honored to do so, Dr. Ross."

Whereon Old Doc Ross settled his hat firmly within an eighth of an inch of his savage eyebrows, took his younger confrère by the elbow with every mark of affection and hospitality, and marched him out into the blazing sun; escorted him in dignity to Pink Fergus' door, opened it with free and easy flourish, followed his new friend and astonished guest within, and ordered ice-cream with as much consequence as if it were champagne across the White Elephant bar.