"Phil told me how you tried to ride that unbroken horse, the last time he was at our house.
Phil thinks you are quite a wonderful man." "No doubt," said Patches mockingly.

"I must have given a remarkable exhibition on that occasion." He was wondering just how much Phil had told her.
"And so, you see," she continued, "I couldn't very well help being interested in the welfare of the stranger who had come among us.
Besides, our traditional western hospitality demanded it; don't you think ?" "Oh, certainly, certainly.

You could really do nothing less than inquire about me," he agreed politely.
"And so, you see, Stella quite restored my soul health; or at least afforded me temporary relief." He met the quizzing, teasing, laughing look in her eyes blankly.

"You are making fun of me again," he said humbly.

"I know I ought to laugh at myself, but--" "Why, don't you understand ?" she cried.