You got to
have money."
"Do you think Louise would take the money?" asked Collie.
"I don't know. But that ain't it. We either give it up--or we don't.
What do you say?"
"Why--to tell Louise, of course. I meant that right along. You ought to
know that."
"You givin' it up because you had some fuss with her, or anything like
that?"
"No, Red. I say tell her, because it's square. Did she stop to ask
questions when I was in trouble? No. She went to work to help me, quick.
I guess we care more for her than a whole carload of gold."
"Well, I guess. Once I wouldn't 'a' stopped to worry about whose gold it
was. But knowin' the Rose Girl,--knowin' what she _is_,--why, it's
makin' me soft in me morals."
"What do we do now, Red?"
"I'm goin' to beat it. Back to the dusty for mine."
"You don't have to do that, Red."
"That's just why I'm a-doin' it. I like to do what I like."
"Quitting now seems like saying, 'I'm whipped,'" said Collie. "Quitting
after giving up our money to her looks like we were sore--even if we do
it and smile. She would feel bad, Red. She'd think she drove us off."
"No, I reckon not. She'll see that I always been a good daddy to you and
put you right in this case.
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