Thet's my invitation to get a little fresh with you, Pretty Eyes!" Carley could only stare at him.

His words seemed to have some peculiar, unanswerable power.
"Wal, if it wasn't an invitation, what was it ?" he asked, with another step that brought him within reach of her.

He waited for her answer, which was not forthcoming.
"Wal, you're gettin' kinda pale around the gills," he went on, derisively.

"I reckoned you was a real sport....

Come here." He fastened one of his great hands in the front of her coat and gave her a pull.