Chip gave her a glance of weary tolerance. “You must think I've about as much sense as a jack rabbit; I was taking long chances to run that hill.” “Well, for pity's sake, what did you do it for?” “It was the only thing to do. How do you think we'd have come out of the mix-up if we had met Banjo on the Hog's Back, where there isn't room to pass? Don't you think we'd have been pretty well smashed up, both of us, by the time we got to the bottom of that gully, there? A runaway horse is a nasty thing to meet, let me tell you--especially when it's as scared as Banjo was. They won't turn out; they just go straight ahead, and let the other fellow get out of the way if he can.” “I--I thought you did it just for a joke,” said the Little Doctor, weakly. “I told Cecil you did it to frighten me, and Cecil said--” “I don't think you need to tell me what Cecil said,” Chip remarked, with the quiet tone that made one very uncomfortable. “It wasn't anything so dreadful, you know--” “I don't want to know. When is he coming, did you say?” “Next Wednesday--and this is Friday. I know you'll like Cecil.” Chip made him a cigarette, but he hadn't heart enough to light it. He held it absently in his fingers. “Everybody likes Cecil.” “Yes?” Secretly, Chip had his doubts. He knew one that didn't--and wouldn't. “We'll have all kinds of fun, and go everywhere and do everything. As soon as the round-up is over, I think I'll make J. G. give another dance, but I'll take care that the drug store is safely locked away. And some day we'll take a lunch and go prowling around down in the Bad Lands--you'll have to go, so we won't get lost--and we'll have Len Adams and Rena and the schoolma'am over here often, and--oh, my brain just buzzes with plans. I'm so anxious for Cecil to see the Countess and--well, everybody around here. You, too.” “I'm sure a curiosity,” said Chip, getting on his feet again. “I've always had the name of being something of a freak--I don't wonder you want to exhibit me to your--friends.” He went down the hill to the bunk house, holding the unlighted cigarette still in his fingers. When Slim opened the door to tell him supper was ready, he found Chip lying on his bed, his face buried in his arms.