He shall have certain parts of the ranch to work on shares, if he
prefers that, and he can build a good home for himself down on the road
that runs by the pastures."
"You-all ain't sayin' this in a joke, be yuh, Sam Brewster?" asked
Sary, breathlessly.
"No, indeed, Sary. Ah want Jeb to make a good match, that's all. He
seldom goes away from the ranch, other than driving to Oak Creek, and
he does not have opportunity to see or meet girls. So Ah am seriously
thinking of giving him a vacation, very soon, and sending him to Denver
for a week or two, just to give him a chance to get acquainted with
other women; and then he'll be able to judge what sort of a girl will
suit him best for a wife."
Sary gasped fearfully at this unexpected plan of Sam Brewster's, and
her grasp on the soup ladle relaxed so that it fell to the floor with a
ringing echo. But she paid no attention to it: she stood with mouth
open staring at the master of Pebbly Pit.
Mrs. Brewster felt sincerely sorry for her, but the four girls had to
smother their laughter behind the dinner napkins. Then Sary found her
power of speech.
"Why, Sam Brewster! You-all can't mean that! Send dear, innocent Jeb to
such a wicked city as Denver, all alone, to be caught by them ravenin'
wolves? Ain't you hear'n tell of flirty gals what goes about vampin'
nice young men jus' fer a good time? Like as not our Jeb'll get lassoed
by one of 'em, and she'll marry him fer his money, er git it all away
from him afore she lets him go.
Pages:
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238