Of course, Teresita could not know that they were discussing a brief but
rancorous encounter which Jerry had had with Manuel that morning, when
the two happened to meet farther down the valley while Manuel was riding
his share of the rodeo circle. Two of Jose's men had been with Manuel,
and their attitude had been "purty derned upstropolus," according to
Jerry. (Jack decided after a puzzled minute that the strange word which
Jerry spoke with such relish must be Simpsonese for obstreperous.) They
had, in fact, attempted to drive off three of Jerry's oxen to the rodeo
ground, and only the characteristic "firmness" of Jerry had prevented
them from doing it. Jemina, he said, had helped some when pointed at
Manuel's scowling face; but Jerry opined that he would hereafter take
the twins along too when he rode out anywhere, and that he guessed he'd
cut another loophole or two in his cabin walls.
All of these various influences had created an atmosphere which Teresita
felt and resented without attempting to understand. The big senor had
not given her the smiles and the funny attempts at conversation which
she had come to accept as a matter of course. The pretty senora had not
been as enthusiastic as she should have been, when Teresita showed her
the ruby chain which, like a child, she had brought over for the pretty
senora to admire.
Therefore, Jack's lips found reason to tighten and cease their eager
quivering for a kiss.
Pages:
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227