Neither helped her very greatly to pay for room and board. Another
Indian offered her a pair of chickens; a third paid her seventy-five
cents on account and promised the rest soon. When she came to know his
type better she realized that he had done exceptionally well by her.
She went often to the Engles', growing to love all three of them, each
in a different way. Florrie she found vain, spoiled, selfish, but all
in so frank a fashion that in return for an admittedly half-jealous
admiration she gave a genuine affection. And she was glad to see how
Elmer made friends with them, always appearing at his best in their
home. He and Florrie were already as intimate as though they had grown
up with a back-yard fence separating their two homes; they criticised
each other with terrible outspokenness, they made fun of each other,
they very frequently "hated and despised" each other and, utterly
unknown to either Florrie Engle or Elmer Page, were the best of friends.
Of Roderick Norton San Juan saw little through these weeks. He came
now and then, twice ate with Virginia and Elmer at Struve's, talked
seriously with John Engle, teased Florrie, and went away upon the
business which called him elsewhere. Upon one of these visits he told
Virginia that Brocky Lane was "on the mend" and would be as good as new
in a month; no other reference was made to her ride with him.
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