“Well, let him tell who roped that heifer; that’s all I asked.” “What! ‘beller’ on some one else? Look here, boss; I’d see you in hell first, and then I wouldn’t. I like the kid’s grit. Let the guilty cuss who done it own up and take his medicine.” “Yis, be jabers, be it bitter or swate, that’s scripture,” put in Pat; “come on now and take the medicine I’ve got fer ye and fergit yer troubles. These praties are gittin’ cold.” The boys needed no further urging. They grabbed up their tin dishes and began to eat heartily--all but Dick; he didn’t have much of an appetite. His conscience had been stung a little into life. CHAPTER XVII RANCH ROSES “Oh, you Primrose, that’s nuthin’. Do you ’spose I’d git mad if a nice feller tried to kiss me?” Sally laughed noisily. “Why, that’s all in the game, goosie.” Alta’s face showed pain at this rude reception of her confidence. “Why, Sally, I’m shocked to hear you speak of such liberties so flippantly.” “Oh, pshaw, it only shows he likes you. Dick is a jolly fellow. He don’t mean nuthin’ by it.” “It only shows he has no respect for himself or me either.” “You’ll get over that in time, Miss Tenderfoot,” Sally went on; “boys are boys, and we’ll have to take ’em as they are, or we’ll die old maids.” “Well, I’ll die an old maid then, before I’ll sacrifice my self-respect to get a beau. Respect and love go together. That’s what Aunt Betty used to say, and I believe every word of it.” “My, how pretty you talk--jest like preachin’.” “Well, I mean it.” “Yes, but I don’t believe in bein’ so stiff with the boys that you drive ’em all away. And that’s what you’re doin’ with Dick. He’s a dandy fellow, too.” “Yes, you’re right, he is a dandy.” Sally missed the double meaning. “Well, you think a whole lot of him anyway.” “I’d think a good deal more of him if he thought more of himself.” “He’s conceited enough, if that’s what you want.” “That’s just what I don’t want. Conceit and self-respect are two very different things.” “Oh, you’ll forget all your fine talk one of these days and be glad to forgive him.” “Sally, what do you take me for?” “Just a silly little girl who’s got herself upset by a smart fellow, that’s all; but you’ll recover.” “Indeed I will.” “Yes, and so will he; for you’ll make up to-night and be swimmin’ in honey.” Alta flushed. “Please don’t anger me, Sally. Be serious. I came to you for advice, and you make light of my confidences. You surely don’t think I’m in love with Dick Davis.” “Oh, no, not yet; but the signs are right for a real case.” “Signs sometimes fail; don’t they, Aunt ‘Liza?” The bustling housekeeper had just come in with a bucket of eggs she had been gathering. “Law me, yes; they’ve certainly been failin’ ’bout here. I thought I’d see some signs o’ work, ’gin I got back. You gals better make ’em, stid o’ talkin’ ’bout fellers. That’s what you’ve been doin’, I’ll warrant.”