When she presented herself at the breakfast-table Jack was absent.

The old rancher greeted her with more thar usual solicitude.
"Jack's sick," he remarked, presently.
"Indeed," replied Columbine.
"Yes.

He said it was the drinkin' he's not accustomed to.

Wal, I reckon it was what you called him.

He didn't take much store on what I called him, which was wuss....