In spite of his weariness, Luck was almost happy that first afternoon at Applehead's ranch.

He went whistling about his task of directing the others and doing two men's work himself, and he refused to worry about anything.
That evening after supper, when they were all smoking and resting before Applehead's big rock fireplace, Luck's energy would not let him dwell upon the trivial incidents of their trip, which the Happy Family were discussing with reminiscent enjoyment.

Applehead's booming laugh was to Luck as a vague accompaniment to his own thoughts darting here and there among his plans.
"Aw, gwan!" Happy Jack was exclaiming in his habitual tone of protest.
"Conductor lied to me, is how I come to be over to that place when the train started to pull out.

I was buyin' something.

I wasn't talking to no Mexican girl.