There's one or two families yer with grown-up gals ez oughter be squared; that is--the boys mighter put in a few fancy touches among them--kinder take 'em buggy riding--or to church--once in a while--just to take the pizen outer their tongues, and make a kind o' bluff to the parents, d'ye see?
That would sorter divert their own minds; and even if it didn't, it would kinder get 'em accustomed agin to the old style and their own kind.

I want to warn ye agin an idea that might occur to you in a giniral way.

I don't say you hev the idea, but it's kind o' nat'ral you might be thinkin' of it some time, and I thought I'd warn you agin it." "I think we understand each other too well to differ much, Mr.Hall," said Christie, still smiling; "but what is the idea ?" The delicate compliment to their confidential relations and the slight stimulus of liquor had tremulously exalted Whiskey Dick.

Affecting to look cautiously out of the window and around the room, he ventured to draw nearer the young woman with a half-paternal, half-timid familiarity.
"It might have occurred to you," he said, laying his handkerchief as if to veil mere vulgar contact, on Christie's shoulder, "that it would be a good thing on YOUR side to invite down some of your high-toned gentlemen friends from 'Frisco to visit you and escort you round.

It seems quite nat'ral like, and I don't say it ain't, but--the boys wouldn't stand for it." In spite of her self-possession, Christie's eyes suddenly darkened, and she involuntarily drew herself up.