"And then," his coarse voice undertaking a softness foreign to it, "I'm just as tired as Sim Gage was of keeping house alone.

I'm a better man than Sim Gage.

I'm making plenty of money." She made no reply, leaned back upon the blanket roll.
"Now, then, gal, listen.

I like you.

You're handsome--the handsomest gal ever come in this valley.