"And take that truck off the senora's front steps before she sees it and has a fit.

I want to talk to you." "Oh, Lord!" wailed Jack, under his breath, but he shouldered the heavy saddle obediently, leaving Dade to bring what remained.

"Cut it short, then; she's gone to dress and ask her dad; and I'm supposed to order the horses and get you started.

What's the trouble ?" Dade first went over to the steps before their sleeping-room and deposited Jack's personal belongings; and Jack seized the minute of grace to call a peon and order the horses saddled.
He turned from watching proudly the glitter of the trimmings on his new saddle as the peon bore it away on his shoulder, and confronted Dade with a tinge of defiance in his manner.
"Well, what have I done now ?" he challenged.

"Anything particularly damnable about talking five minutes to a girl in plain sight of her--" Dade threw out both hands in a gesture of impatience.