I want you to
put Blenham back on the job!"
Steve bit his lip, holding back a hot reply.
"Grandfather," he said slowly, "suppose we take a little more time in
getting squared around? I want to do what's right; I know that you
want to do what's fair and square. I am willing to consult you about
ranch matters; I'll come to you for advice, if you'll let me; I'll try
to keep the ranch up to time and"--with a smile--"in my hands and out
of yours. That's a good sporting proposition. But as for Blenham----"
"Put him back as foreman and I'll talk fair with you. I want Blenham
back here, Stephen. Understand that?"
"And," cried Steve a trifle heatedly at last, "I tell you that I am
going to run the ranch myself. And that I don't like Blenham."
"Damn it," cried the old man violently, "hear the boy! Don't like
Blenham, huh? Goin' to run the ranch yourself, huh? Why, I tell you
it's as good as mine right now! How are you goin' to pay your men, how
are you goin' to buy grub for 'em, where are you goin' to find
runnin'-expense money? Go an' tell folks you're mortgaged to me for
fifty thousan' dollars an' see how much they'll stake you for on top of
that. Or come over my way an' try to borrow some more, if you think
I'm an easy guy. Why, Steve Packard, you--you're a tomfool!"
"Thanks," said Steve dryly. "I've heard that before."
"An' you'll hear it again, by the Lord! In ten languages if you'll
find men talkin' that many lingos.
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