Porter Barkley wished nothing so much as speedily to get away from the scene of his twofold defeat, although he knew that farewell meant dismissal. He knew also that he could restore himself to the respect of Heart's Desire in only one way; but he did not go out on the street in search of that way, although the Socorro stage was a full day late in its departure, and he was obliged to remain a prisoner indoors.
Indeed, Constance and her father were little better than prisoners as well, for no possible means of locomotion offered whereby they could get out of town; and all Heart's Desire remained aloof from them, not even the Littlest Girl coming across the _arroyo_ to call on Constance at the hotel.
"I'd like to have her come over to see the twins," said Curly to his spouse, "but I reckon like enough she's sore."
"I'd be mighty glad to have a good square talk with some woman from the States," rejoined the Littlest Girl, hesitatingly. "I'd sort of like to know what folks is wearin' back there now. Besides that--"
"I don't more'n half believe her and Dan Anderson is gettin' along very well, someway."
"That so? Well, I don't see how they can, the way he throwed the spurs into her pa the other night."
"He just worships the ground that girl walks on."
"You oughtn't to talk so much. That ain't our business--but how do you know?"
"Well, because I _do_ know," responded the Littlest Girl, warmly. "Don't you suppose I can see? I've talked with Dan every time he come up here to buy a pie--talked about that girl. He buys more pies now than he used to. I reckon I _know_."
"That may all be. Question is, how's she a-feelin' toward _him_ these days?"
"Curly," after a little silence, "I'm going to put on my bonnet and go over there and see that girl. She's all alone. I'll take her a pie. I always did think she was nice."
"Well, all right. There's Bill Godfrey drivin' the stage out of his barn now. I'll go over to the post-office and help the old man with the mail. May ride out as far as the ranch with Bill and see if Mac has anything special to do. There was talk of that Nogal sheep outfit gettin' in on the lower end of our range. If they do, something'll pop for sure. You go on over to the hotel if you want to. Ma'll take care of the twins."