We'll have a talk, in the meanwhile.
I sent for you before.

Why didn't you come ?" It was somewhat difficult to answer, and Weston wrinkled his forehead, stiffening his grasp on the tiller.
"I was fortunate enough to be of some little service to Miss Stirling's friends on the range, and I fancied that because of it you meant to offer me promotion of some kind," he said.
"Well ?" queried Stirling, with his eyes fixed on his companion's face.
Weston hesitated.

He could not very well tell this man that a vein of probably misguided pride rendered him unwilling to accept a favor from Ida Stirling's father.
"I don't think there was any obligation, sir," he said.
"That," remarked Stirling dryly, "is a kind of feeling that may trip you up some day.

Still, you came this time." "I did," said Weston.

"You see, the case was rather different.