Now jest step back an' take
notes on the way I do it. In fifteen minutes by the clock she'll be
eatin' out of my hand."
Silent, expectant but baffled, retired a little. Buck removed his hat
and bowed as if he were in a drawing-room.
"Ma'am," he said, "I got the honour of askin' you to side-step up to
the shanty with me an' tackle a plate of ham an' eggs. Are you on?"
To this Chesterfieldian outpouring of the heart, she responded with a
slow glance which started at Buck's feet, travelled up to his face,
and then returned to the purple distance down the canyon. In spite of
himself the tell-tale crimson flooded Buck's face. Far away he caught
the muffled laughter of the outlaws. He replaced his hat.
"Don't make no mistake," he went on, his gesture including the bandits
in the background, and Silent particularly, "I ain't the same sort as
these other fellers. I c'n understand the way you feel after bein'
herded around with a lot of tin horns like these. I'm suggestin'
that you take a long look at me an' notice the difference between an
imitation an' a real man."
She did look at him. She even smiled faintly, and the smile made
Buck's face once more grow very hot.
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