I know. You, Pierre, act like a man already in love or a
boy who has never known a woman. Which is it, Pierre?"
The other made a familiar gesture with those who knew him, a touching
of his left hand against his throat where the cross lay.
He said: "I suppose it seems like that to you."
"Like what? Dodging me, eh? Well, I never press the point, but I'd
give the worth of your horse, Pierre, to see you and Mary together."
Red Pierre started, and then frowned.
"Irritates you a little, eh? Well, a woman is like a spur to most
men."
He added, with a momentary gloom: "God knows, I bear the marks of
'em."
He raised his head, as if he looked up in response to his thought.
"But there's a difference with this girl. I've named the quality of
her before--it disarms a man."
Pierre looked to his friend with some alarm, for there was a saying
among the followers of Boone that a woman would be the downfall of big
Dick Wilbur again, as a woman had been his downfall before. The
difference would be that this fall must be his last.
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