He had drawn from a sacred cache in the hollow of a tree the few worn text-books from which he had studied.
"They seem very precious," she said, with a smile.
"Very," he replied gravely.

"There was one with plates that the ants ate up, and it will be six months before I can afford to buy another." Teresa glanced hurriedly over his well-worn buckskin suit, at his calico shirt with its pattern almost obliterated by countless washings, and became thoughtful.
"I suppose you couldn't buy one at Indian Spring ?" she said innocently.
For once Low was startled out of his phlegm.

"Indian Spring!" he ejaculated; "perhaps not even in San Francisco.

These came from the States." "How did you get them ?" persisted Teresa.
"I bought them for skins I got over the ridge." "I didn't mean that--but no matter.

Then you mean to sell that bearskin, don't you ?" she added.
Low had, in fact, already sold it, the proceeds having been invested in a gold ring for Miss Nellie, which she scrupulously did not wear except in his presence.