Ain't it the truth! I don't guess, Bill, yuh better let on to Mary V nothin' about it.

Then they's a chance she may tell yuh jest to spite the other feller, if she does happen to know.

A slim chance--but still she might." "Slim chance is right!" Bill stated with feeling.
During this colloquy Mary V's ears might have burned, had Mary V not been too thoroughly engrossed with her own emotions to be sensitive to the emotions of others.
Mary V was pounding along toward Black Ridge--or Snake Ridge, as some preferred to call it.

She was tired, of course.

Her head ached, and more than once she slowed Tango to a walk while she debated with herself whether it was really worth while to wear herself completely out in the cause of righteousness.
Mary V did not in the least suspect just how righteous was the cause.