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Page 36
"Let me see that sore again," said Gordon. He slipped the bridle and
examined the place carefully. Then he looked hard at the horse, which
stood with great docility, although he held his head proudly. He was a
fine beast, glossy black in color, and had a magnificent tail.
"Make it eighty-five," said Gordon.
"Couldn't think of it."
"I don't know as I want the horse anyway," said Gordon.
"I'll call it eighty-seven and a half," said the little red-haired man.
Gordon stood still for a moment. Then he pulled out his wallet.
"Eighty-six and call it square," he said.
"All right," said the red-haired man. "It's a-givin' of him away, but
I'm so darned tired of trampin' the country with him, that I'll call it
eighty-six, and it's the biggest bargain you ever got in your life in
the way of horse flesh. I wouldn't let him go at that figure, but my
wife's sick, and I want to get home."
The red-haired man carefully counted over the roll of bank-notes which
Doctor Gordon gave him, although it seemed to James that he used some
haste. He also thought that he was evidently anxious to be gone. He
refused Gordon's offer of breakfast, saying that he had already had some
at the hotel. Then he was gone, walking with uncommon speed for such a
small man. Aaron, James, and Doctor Gordon stood contemplating the new
purchase. James patted him. "He looks like a fine animal," he remarked.
Aaron shifted his quid, and said with emphasis, "Want me to hitch up and
bring that little red-haired cuss back?"
"Why, what for?" asked Doctor Gordon. "I guess I have made a good trade,
Aaron."
"You mark my words, there's somethin' out," said Aaron dogmatically.
"I guess you're wrong this time," said Doctor Gordon, laughing. "Come,
Elliot, it is time for breakfast, and we have to drive to Wardville
afterward for that fever case."
James followed Gordon into the dining-room. Clemency said good morning
almost rudely, then she hid her face behind the coffee-urn. Gordon
glanced at her and smiled tenderly, but the girl did not see it. James
never looked her way at all. She turned the coffee with apparent
concentration. She did not dare look at either of the two men. She had
never felt so disturbedly happy and so shy. She had not slept all night,
she was so agitated with happiness, but this morning she showed no
traces of sleeplessness. There was an unwonted color on her little fair
face, and her blue eyes were like jewels under her drooping lids.
They were nearly through breakfast when the door which led into the
kitchen was abruptly thrown open, and Aaron stood there. In his hand he
flourished dramatically a great streaming mass of black. "Told you so,"
he observed with a certain triumph. The others stared at him.
"What on earth is that?" asked Gordon.
"That new horse's tail; it comes off," replied Aaron with brevity. Then
he chewed.
"Comes off?"
Aaron nodded, still chewing.
Gordon rose from the table saying something under his breath.
"That ain't all," said Aaron, still with an air of sly triumph.
"What else, for Heaven's sake?" cried Gordon.
"Well, he cribs," replied Aaron laconically. Then he chewed.
"That was why he didn't want to take the bridle off?"
Aaron nodded.
Gordon stood staring for a second, then he burst into a peal of
laughter. "Bless me if I ever got so regularly done," said he. "Say,
Aaron, that was a smart chap. He has talent, he has."
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