He had his eyes intent upon the lasso he was coiling.
Suddenly he faced her and the dark fire of his eyes gave her a shock.
I've been expecting that shorthorn back for months." he said, bluntly.
"You--never--liked Jack ?" queried Columbine, slowly.

That was not what she wanted to say, but the thought spoke itself.
"I should smile I never did." "Ever since you and he fought--long ago--all over--" His sharp gesture made the coiled lasso loosen.
"Ever since I licked him good--don't forget that," interrupted Wilson.
The red had faded from the bronze.
"Yes, you licked him," mused Columbine.

"I remember that.

And Jack's hated you ever since." "There's been no love lost." "But, Wils, you never before talked this way--spoke out so--against Jack," she protested.
"Well, I'm not the kind to talk behind a fellow's back.

But I'm not mealy-mouthed, either, and--and--" He did not complete the sentence and his meaning was enigmatic.
Altogether Moore seemed not like himself.