Beyond question, the moment had come for something definite, he could not say precisely what.

Readjusting his cigar between his teeth, he resumed his speech.

It suited his humour to take the girl into his confidence, following an instinct which warned him that this would bring about a certain closeness of their relations, a certain intimacy.
"What do you think of this row, anyways, Miss Hilma,--this railroad fuss in general?
Think Shelgrim and his rushers are going to jump Quien Sabe--are going to run us off the ranch ?" "Oh, no, sir," protested Hilma, still breathless.

"Oh, no, indeed not." "Well, what then ?" Hilma made a little uncertain movement of ignorance.
"I don't know what." "Well, the League agreed to-day that if the test cases were lost in the Supreme Court--you know we've appealed to the Supreme Court, at Washington--we'd fight." "Fight ?" "Yes, fight." "Fight like--like you and Mr.Delaney that time with--oh, dear--with guns ?" "I don't know," grumbled Annixter vaguely.

"What do YOU think ?" Hilma's low-pitched, almost husky voice trembled a little as she replied, "Fighting--with guns--that's so terrible.