He'd stand 'em all up in a row and make 'em sing that fool song till they were hoarse as calves on the fifth day of weaning.

There was a time, too, when he had liked that girl.

If she had shown any brains or feeling, he could have loved Mary V.Good thing he found out in time.
Johnny looked back from the gate and heaved a great sigh of relief at his narrow escape.

Or was it regret?
Johnny himself did not know, but he called it relief because that was the most comfortable emotion a young man may take away with him into desert loneliness.
Yes, sir, he was glad of the chance to stay at Sinkhole for awhile.

He wouldn't be pestered to death, and he would have plenty of time to study and read.