" Just why Doris
should have taken it for granted that he would ask her that question is
a matter which she never explained, even to herself. Pete had never
made love to her in the accepted sense of the term. He had done much
better than that, although he was entirely unconscious of it. But that
psychological moment--whatever that may mean--in the affairs of Doris
and Pete was rapidly approaching,--a moment more often anticipated by
the female of the species than by the male.
Just what kept Pete from immediately rushing to the hospital and
proclaiming his presence is another question that never can be
answered. Pete wanted to do just that thing--but he did not. Instead,
he took a modest room at a modest hotel, bought himself some
presentable clothing, dropped in to see Hodges of the Stockmen's
Security, and spent several days walking about the streets mentally
preparing himself to explain just why he _had_ come to El Paso, finally
arriving at the conclusion that he had come to see little Ruth. Doris
had said that Ruth had missed him. Well, he had a right to drop in and
see the kid.
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