You know I've done a lot of business west of the
Missouri.
LAURA. [_With a half-sigh_.] No, I didn't know it.
WILL. Oh, yes; south of here in the San Juan country. Spent a couple
of years there once.
LAURA. [_Still without turning_.] That's interesting.
WILL. It was then. I made some money there. It's always interesting
when you make money. Still--
LAURA. [_Still leaning in an absent-minded attitude_.] Still what?
WILL. Can't make out why you have your eyes glued on that road.
Someone coming?
LAURA. Yes.
WILL. One of Mrs. Williams' friends, eh? [_Will crosses, and sits on
seat_.
LAURA. Yes.
WILL. Yours too?
LAURA. Yes.
WILL. Man?
LAURA. Yes, a _real_ man.
WILL. [_Catches the significance of this speech. He carelessly throws
the cigar over the balustrade. He comes down and leans on chair with
his back to_ LAURA. _She has not moved more than to place her left
hand on a cushion and lean her head rather wearily against it, looking
steadfastly up the Pass_.] A real man. By that you mean--
LAURA. Just that--a real man.
WILL. Any difference from the many you have known?
LAURA. Yes, from all I have known.
WILL. So that is why you didn't come into Denver to meet me to-day,
but left word for me to come out here?
LAURA. Yes.
WILL. I thought that I was pretty decent to take a dusty ride half-way
across the continent in order to keep you company on your way back to
New York, and welcome you to our home; but maybe I had the wrong idea.
Pages:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34