He liked the widow better and better.

Especially after dinner, with the delicious flavor of pie still caressing his palate.

Only he wished she would take it for granted that when Casey Ryan made a promise, Casey Ryan would keep it.
"I've got so now I can bark a knuckle with m'single-jack when I'm puttin' down a hole, and say, 'Oh, dear!' and let it go at that," he boasted to her on the second Sunday.

"I'll bet there ain't another man in the state of Nevada could do that." "Yes.

But Casey dear, if _only_ you will never touch another drop of liquor.