There seems to be plenty of room for us out here, so we needn't get in each other's way....

I've never been on the prairie before," she added.
The Young Doctor realized that her reply had meanings which would escape the understanding of the Mayor, and her apprehensive glance had told him of the gruesome jealousy of this old man at her side.

The Mayor's polite words had caused the long, clean-shaven upper lip of the old man with the look of a debauched prophet, to lengthen surlily; and he noticed that a wide, flat foot in a big knee-boot, inside trousers too short, tapped the ground impatiently.
"We must be getting on to Tralee," said a voice that seemed to force its way through bronchial obstructions.

"Come, Mrs.Mazarine." He laid a big, flat, tropical hand, which gave the impression of being splayed, on the girl's shoulder.

The gallant words of the Mayor--a chivalrous mountain man--had set dark elements working.