The Pachecos and the Picardos are almost like one family.

I don't suppose Jose ever stayed away from here so long since he was a baby, as he has since we came.

It's bad enough to keep old friends away, without mixing up a quarrel.

Have you seen Jose lately?
Don Andres seemed to think so, but I told him you'd have said something about it to me if you had." "I met him in the trail, a week or so ago," Jack admitted with manifest reluctance.

"He wasn't overly friendly, but there wasn't any real trouble, if that's what you're afraid of." He looked sidelong at the other, saw the hurt in Dade's eyes at this evidence of the constraint growing intangibly between them, and laughed defiantly.
"Upon my soul!" he exclaimed, "one would think I was simple-minded, the way you act! D'you think a man never scowled my way before?
D'you think I'm afraid of Jose?
D'you think I don't know enough to take care of myself?
What the devil do you think?
Can't go on rodeo--you're afraid I might get hurt! I ain't crazy to go, for that matter; but I don't know as I relish this guardian-angel stunt you're playing.