But it would take a lot of them, an' they'd have to be given with the cook's consent.

Do you think you could----" He paused and looked at her, for her eyes were shining and her lips were pursed in a way that left no doubt of the invitation.
"Why, Mary!" he said, as he caught her in his arms.
For a time the money lay on the table unnoticed and forgotten, and there was an eloquent silence in the kitchen.
A little later, Barney Owen, passing close to the kitchen window--having seen the men caring for Sanderson's horse, and learning from them that Sanderson had come in early after having apparently been out all night--heard Sanderson's voice issuing from the kitchen: "There's a difference in kisses; them that you gave me when you thought I was your brother wasn't half so thrillin' as----" Owen stiffened and stood rigid, his face whitening.
And then again he heard Sanderson's voice: "There's a judge in Okar--Judge Graney.

An' if you'd consider gettin' married today, ma'am, why----" "Why, Sanderson!" came Mary's voice in mild reproof.
"Well, then," sounded Sanderson's voice, full of resignation this time; "have it your way; I don't want to hurry you." "Hurry me?
Oh, no!" laughed the girl in gentle mockery.

Whereat they both laughed.

The sound of it must have pleased Owen, for he, too, laughed as he left the window and went toward the bunkhouse.
An hour later Sanderson emerged from the house, threw saddle and bridle on Streak, and rode out into the basin to a camp where he found Kent Williams and his men.