It was as if what had been beautiful with light had suddenly, strangely darkened.
Then Wade imagined he stood alone in a gloomy house, which was his own heart, and he was listening to the arrival of a tragic messenger whose foot sounded heavy on the stairs, whose hand turned slowly upon the knob, whose gray presence opened the door and crossed the threshold.
"Buster Jack didn't break off with you, Collie ?" asked the hunter.
"Break off with me!...

No, indeed! Whatever possessed you to say that ?" "An' he didn't offer to give you up to Wils Moore ?" "Ben, are you crazy ?" cried Columbine.
"Collie; listen.

I'll tell you." The old urge knocked at Wade's mind.
"Buster Jack was in the cabin, gamblin' with the rustlers, when I cornered them.

You remember I meant to scare Buster Jack within an inch of his life?
Well, I made use of my opportunity.

I worked up the rustlers.