"Good thing I'm used to you," he commented grimly, "or my head would be whirling, right now." Not a word, you will observe, as to whether his own interests would be furthered by this sudden departure; but that was Dade's way.

Not a word about the sudden change from last evening, when Jack had eaten at Don Andres' table and had talked amiably with Jose--amiably in spite of the fact that every one of them understood perfectly that the amiability was but the flowers of courtesy strewn over a formal--and perhaps a temporary--truce.

But Jose was not a fixture upon the ranch, and the don's friendship for the two seemed unchanged.
Dade did not argue nor did he question.

Barring details, he thought he understood why it was that Jack wanted to go--why it was impossible for him to stay.

A girl may be only seventeen and as irresponsible as a kitten, but for all that she may play an important part in the making and the marring of a man's most practical plans.
When he returned from the house, Don Andres walked beside him.