of practice," Billy Louise assured
him confidently and began putting the few dishes in a neat little pile.
"And, anyway, you are perfectly able to handle any kind of a contract.
All you need do is make up your mind. And that's made up already. So
the next thing on the programme is to bring a bucket of water. Did you
notice anything different about your cabin? I thought you bragged to
me about being such a good housekeeper! Why, you hadn't swept the
floor, even, since goodness knows when. And I've made up a bundle of
your dirty shirts and things that I found under the bed, and I'm going
to take them home and let Phoebe wash them. She can do them this
evening and have them ready for you to bring back to-morrow. When I
was a kid and went to see Marthy and Jase, I used to promise them
cookies with 'raisings' in the middle. I thought there was nothing
better in the world. I was just thinking--I'll maybe bake you some
cookies with raisings on top, to bring home. You don't seem to waste
much time cooking stuff. Bacon and beans, and potatoes and sour-dough
bread: that seems to be your regular bill of fare. And tomatoes for
Sunday, I reckon; I saw some empty cans outside. Don't you ever feel
like coming down to the ranch and getting a square meal?"

"Oh, you William the Conqueror!" Ward stood with the water bucket in
his hand, and looked at her with that smile hidden just behind his lips
and his eyes. "You sure sabe how to make things come your way, don't
you?" He started for the door, stopped with his toes over the
threshold, and looked back at her. "If I knew how to get what I want,
as easily as you do," he said, "we'd be married and keeping house
before to-morrow night!" He laughed grimly at the start she gave. "As
it is, you're the doctor, William Louisa. We remain mere friends!"
With that he went off to the creek.

He was gone at least four times as long as was necessary, but he came
back whistling, and he did not make love to her except with his eyes.

CHAPTER X

THIS PAL BUSINESS

"You've got quite a lot of hay put up, I see," Billy Louise remarked,
when they were leaving.

"Sure. I told you I've been working." Ward's tone was cheerful to the
point of exuberance. He felt as though he could work day and night
now, with the memory of Billy Louise's lips upon his own.

"You never put up that hay alone," she told him bluntly, "and you
needn't try to make me believe you did. I know bette