She affected scorn for his talk--but was naturally
pleased. And the young stranger was staring at her, which pleased her
still more.
"This here hombre is Pete," said Malvey. "He left his other name to
home." And he laughed raucously.
Pete bowed, taking the introduction quite seriously.
Boca was piqued. This young caballero did not seem anxious to know
her--like the other men. He did not smile.
"Pete," she lisped, with a tinge of mockery in her voice. "Pete has
not learned to talk yet--he is so young?"
Malvey slapped his thigh and guffawed. Pete stood solemnly eying him
for a moment. Then he turned to the girl. "I ain't used to talkin' to
women--'specially pretty ones--like you."
Boca clapped her hands. "There! 'Bool' Malvey has never said anything
so clever as that."
"Bool" Malvey frowned. But he was hungry, and Flores's wife was
preparing supper. Despite Boca's pretty mouth and fine dark eyes,
which invited to conversation, Pete felt very much alone--very much of
a stranger in this out-of-the-way household. He thought of his chum
Andy White, and of Ma Bailey and Jim, and the boys of the Concho.
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