There was stirring in the boy's brain a dim and far-away memory of wild rides over the steppes of Southern Russia, and French, glancing now and then at his glowing face, nodded grim approval.
"Afraid, boy ?" he shouted over the roar and rattle of the pitching buckboard.
Kalman looked up and smiled, and then with a great oath he cried, "Let them go!" Jack French was startled.

He hauled up the ponies sharply and turned to the boy at his side.
"Boy, where did you learn that ?" "What ?" asked the boy in surprise.
"Where did you learn to swear like that ?" "Why," said Kalman, "they all do it." "Who all ?" "Why, everybody in Winnipeg." "Does Mrs.French ?" said Jack quietly.
The boy's face flushed hotly.
"No, no," he said vehemently, "never her." Then after a pause and an evident struggle, "She wants me to stop, but all the men and the boys do it." "Kalman," said French solemnly, "no one swears on my ranch." Kalman was perplexed, remembering the scene of the previous night.
"But you--" he began, and then paused.
"Boy," repeated French with added solemnity, "swearing is a foolish and unnecessary evil.

There is no swearing on my ranch.

Promise me you will give up this habit." "I will not," said the boy promptly, "for I would break my word.
Don't you swear ?" French hesitated, and then as if forming a sudden resolution he replied, "When you hear me swear you can begin.

And if you don't mean to quit, don't promise.