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Saulisbury amused himself by joking the dainty girl, whom he called Edith. "This is the cow that gives the cream, ye know; and this one is the buttermilk cow," he said, as they stood looking in at the barn door. Edith tipped her eager little face up at him: "Really?" The rest laughed again. "Which is the ice-cream cow?" the young girl asked, to let them know that she was not to be fooled with.
Then she sputtered in deep indignation. "Why, how dare he make love to my niece? Why, the presumptuous thing! Why, the idea! He's a workingman!" Mrs. Saulisbury remained calm and smiling. She was the only person who could manage Mrs. Thayer. "Yes, that's true. But he's a college-bred man, and " "College-bred! These nasty little Western colleges what do they amount to? Why, he curries our horses."
Arthur looked down at him silently, and there was a look in his eyes which went straight to the Major's heart. "Come, Ramsey, I want to give you a place. Never mind this. You will really be working for me, anyhow." Saulisbury himself came down the stairs and approached them, putting on his gloves, and Arthur perceived for the first time that his eyes were blue and very good-natured.
He held his breath, while the calm, amused voice of the Major replied: "But, see here, my dear, it's none of my business. Mr. Ramsey is an American citizen I like him he has a perfect right to call " "H'yah, h'yah!" called Saulisbury in a chuckle. "He's a man of parts, and besides, I rather imagine Edith has given him the right to call."
I confess I deon't mind these things as you do, old man. I'm a Britisher, y' kneow, and I haven't got intristed in your bloody radicalism, y' kneow. I'm in for Sam Saulisbury 'from the word go, as you fellows say." "And you don't get along any better I mean in a money way." "I kneow, and that's too deuced queeah. Your blawsted sentimentality seems note to do you any harm.
Saulisbury appealed to the Major. "Majah, what have you done with our ice-cream cow?" "She went dry during the winter," said the Major; "no demand on her. 'Supply regulated by the demand, you know." They drifted on into the horse barn. "We're in Ramsey's domain now," said the Major, looking at Arthur, who stood with his hand on the hip of one of the big gray horses.
"I've been trying lately to get into harmonious relations with my employees, and I think I'm succeeding. I have a father and grandfather in shirt sleeves to start from and to refer back to, but Saulisbury hasn't. He means well, but he can't always hold himself in. He means to be democratic, but his blood betrays him."
After the Major had gone, Saulisbury said: "There's one thing the Majah was careful note to mention, my deah. Why should this young fellow be going abeout defending the good name of his niece? Do ye kneow, my deah, I fancy the young idiot is in love with her." "Well, suppose he is?" "But, my deah! In England, you kneow, it wouldn't mattah; it would be a case of hopeless devotion.
"By Jove! this is getting dramatic!" said Saulisbury. "Be quiet, Sam," said his wife. "I won't have any of your scoffing. I'm glad there is some sincerity of emotion left in our city girls." Mrs. Thayer broke in: "Major, you go right out there and send that impudent creature away. It's disgraceful!" Arthur turned cold and hard as granite. His heart rose with a murderous, slow swell.
If you think you can come out here in the West and treat men like dogs, you'll find yourself mighty mistaken, that's all!" The men exchanged glances. This volcanic outburst amazed Saulisbury, but the Major enjoyed it. It was excellent schooling for his English friend. "Well, work for me, Mr. Ramsey. Sam knuckles down to me on most questions. I hope I know how to treat my men.
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