But Columbine did not lose her look of blank wonder and gravity.
"Ben! Oh, you're not going to leave White Slides ?" she asked.
"Reckon I'll hang around yet awhile," he replied.
Belllounds was wagging his head regretfully and ponderingly.
"Wal, I remember the day when no man quit me.

Wal, wal!--times change.
I'm an old man now.

Mebbe, mebbe I'm testy.

An' then thar's thet boy!" With a shrug of his broad shoulders he dismissed what seemed an encroachment of pessimistic thought.
"Wade, you're packin' off, then, on the trail?
Always on the go, eh ?" "No, I'm not hurryin' off," replied Wade.
"Wal, might I ask what you're figgerin' on ?" "Sure.

I'm considerin' a cattle deal with Moore.