Tried to keep his back to it.

But he was human, and Bud was changed so completely in the last three days that Cash could scarcely credit his eyes and his ears.

The old surly scowl was gone from Bud's face, his eyes held again the twinkle.

Cash listened to the whoops, the baby laughter, the old, rodeo catch-phrases, and grinned while he fried his bacon.
Presently Bud gave a whoop, forgetting the feud in his play.

"Lookit, Cash! He's ridin' straight up and whippin' as he rides! He's so-o-me bronk-fighter, buh-lieve me!" Cash turned and looked, grinned and turned away again--but only to strip the rind off a fresh-fried slice of bacon the full width of the piece.
He came down the room on his own side the dead line, and tossed the rind across to the bunk.
"Quirt him with that, Boy," he grunted, "and then you can eat it if you want.".