"How well do you know him?" "Not as well as I'd like to." Fresno puffed at his little pipe without remarking at this. "Well, who wants to go and meet him?" queried Jack. "Won't you?" asked his sister. "I can't. I've just got word from the Eleven X that I'm wanted. The foreman is hurt. I may not be back for some time." "Nigger Mike met me," observed Fresno, darkly. "Then Nigger Mike for Speed," laughed the cattle-man. "I've told Carara to hitch up the pintos for me. I must be going." "I'll see that you are safely started," said the young widow; and leaving the trio on the gallery, they entered the house. When they had gone, Jean smiled wisely at Helen. "Roberta's such a thoughtful chaperon," she observed, whereupon Miss Blake giggled. As for Mrs. Keap, she was inquiring of Jack with genuine solicitude: "Do you really mean that you may be gone for some time?" "I do. It may be a week; it may be longer; I can't tell until I get over there." "I'm sorry." Mrs. Keap's face showed some disappointment. "So am I." "I shall have to look out for these young people all by myself." "What a queer little way you have of talking, as if you were years and years old." "I do feel as if I were. I--I--well, I have had an unhappy experience. You know unhappiness builds months into years." "When Jean got up this house-party," young Chapin began, absently, "I thought I should be bored to death. But--I haven't been. You know, I don't want to go over there?" He nodded vaguely toward the south. "I thought perhaps it suited your convenience." His companion watched him gravely. "Are you quite sure that your sister's guests have not--had something to do with this sudden determination?" "I am quite sure. I never liked the old Flying Heart so much as I do to-day. I never regretted leaving it so much as I do at this moment." "We may be gone before you return." Young Chapin started. "You don't mean that, really?" Mrs. Keap nodded her dark head. "It was all very well for me to chaperon Helen on the way out from the East, but--it isn't exactly regular for me to play that part here with other young people to look after." "But you understand, of course--Jean must have explained to you. Mother was called away suddenly, and she can't get back now. You surely won't leave--you _can't_." Chapin added, hopefully: "Why, you would break up Jean's party. You see, there's nobody around here to take your place." "But--" "Nonsense! This is an unconventional country. What's wrong with you as a chaperon, anyway? Nobody out here even knows what a chaperon is. And I'll be back as soon as I can." "Do you really think that would help?" Roberta's eyes laughed humorously. "I'm not thinking of the others, I'm thinking of myself," declared the young man, boldly. "I don't want you to go before I return. You must not! If you go, I--I shall follow you." He grasped her hand impulsively.