There was--of course there was--and there wasn't. Angela knew just how far
to go. Her black eyes danced. "Red" sat down again, after she had shoved
him back to his late breakfast. Mrs. Quinn, amused, was busy with some more
cakes, though "Red" had scarcely had time to begin the first batch. But she
knew his capacity, and she felt he would need sustaining food after
Angela's last remark.
"You don't always wave to me like you did the other day when I went by,"
said "Red," his lips in Mrs. Quinn's golden coffee.
"Why should I?" said Angela. "You don't always have such swell-looking
folks with you!"
"Oh, so that's why you waved!" disappointment in his tone.
"Maybe." She was teasing him, but he didn't know it. "Who were they?"
"A Mr. and Mrs. Pell, from New York. They're lookin' over property round
here.... But I don't care, Angy. Even if I had to go to Bisbee four times a
day and get some good-lookin' folks to bring down the road, I'd do it if
you'd wave to me! Oh, why can't you always be nice to me?"
"If I was always nice to you, you wouldn't know how lucky you are!" she
countered. "It's good for you to have your bad days--with me."
"Well, maybe you're right. You're 'most always right; but gosh! a feller
does like a little encouragement once in a while. You can be so cruel,
Angy!"
"Can I? If you think not waving to you is cruelty, you ought to see some of
my other forms of torture."
"Ugh! I hope I never do!" He drank again from the cup.
"Say," Angela said, watching him, "you seem to like that coffee a lot more
than you like me! That brunette in the cup is my rival!"
He looked at her in blank amazement. He hadn't much sense of humor. He was
as literal-minded as a child. "You certainly are the funniest girl, Angy!"
he said, "How could coffee be a girl's rival?"
"Easier than a fellow in Bisbee--maybe. Better look out, 'Red,' or I'll sue
Mrs. Quinn for alienation of affections!"
"Oh, you wouldn't do that!" said the kindly, honest "Red."
"What a stupid you are, to be sure!" said Angela, and laughed. "There--eat
these hot cakes--though how you can on this beastly warm morning is more
than I can see--and then play me some tunes. I'm dying to hear some music.
This afternoon Dad says he's going over to your ranch. I don't know what
for, do you? I do wish people didn't have to lose their property. Why are
mortgages, anyhow?"
"Blamed if _I_ know, Angy! Thanks, Mrs. Quinn."
"Sure, an' you're welcome, me boy." Angela had gone out on the step. The
old Irishwoman saw her chance. "For the love o' Mike, 'Red,' woo her, an'
woo her hard! There _is_ a feller in Bisbee. She's after lovin' ye, but
you're too slow--slower'n the molasses I just poured on yer griddle-cakes
fer ye!"
"I'll try," said the accommodating "Red." "You're a good friend, Mrs.
Quinn. I won't forget you when I own this place!"
"Be off, now! Ye've got some travelin' to do before ye're able to win
Angela. Then ye can think of buyin' a ranch."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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