By whom ?" "You know who handles the reins of your Mormon riders." "Do you dare insinuate that my churchmen have ordered in my riders ?" "I ain't insinuatin' nothin', Miss Withersteen," answered Judkins, with spirit.

"I know what I'm talking about.

I didn't want to tell you." "Oh, I can't believe that! I'll not believe it! Would Tull leave my herds at the mercy of rustlers and wolves just because--because--?
No, no! It's unbelievable." "Yes, thet particular thing's onheard of around Cottonwoods But, beggin' pardon, Miss Withersteen, there never was any other rich Mormon woman here on the border, let alone one thet's taken the bit between her teeth." That was a bold thing for the reserved Judkins to say, but it did not anger her.

This rider's crude hint of her spirit gave her a glimpse of what others might think.

Humility and obedience had been hers always.
But had she taken the bit between her teeth?
Still she wavered.