ed her with entire fearlessness and candor
(she was afraid only of women in good clothes), speaking with the easy
slanginess of a herder, using naturally and unconsciously the most
picturesque phrases of the West. Her speech was incisive and
unhesitating, yet not swift. She never chattered, but "you bet" and "all
right" were authorized English so far as she was concerned. "They say
you can't beat this town anywhere for society, and I sure like the looks
of what we've seen. Suppose we hang around this hotel for a while--not
too long, for it's mighty expensive." Here she smiled--a quick, flashing
smile. "You see, I can't get used to spending money--I'm afraid all the
time I'll wake up. It's just like a dream I used to have of finding
chink--I always came to before I had a chance to handle it and see if it
was real."

Haney answered, indulgently: "'Tis all real, Bertie. I'll show you that
when I'm meself again."

"Oh, I believe it--at least, part of the time," she retorted. "But I'll
have to flash a roll to do it--checks are no good. I could sign a
million checks and not have 'em seem like real money. I'm from Missouri
when it comes to cash."

Mrs. Gilman, who had always stood in bewilderment and wonder of her
daughter, was entirely subject now. She and Williams usually moved in
silence, like adoring subjects in the presence of their sovereigns. They
had no doubts whatsoever concerning the power and primacy of gold; and
as for Haney himself, his unquestioning confidence in his little wife's
judgment had come to be like an article of religious faith.

After breakfast on the second day of her stay Bertha ordered a carriage,
and they drove about the town in the brilliant morning sunshine, looking
for a place to build. She resembled a little home-seeking sparrow. Every
cosey cottage was to her an almost irresistible allurement. "There's a
dandy place, Captain," she called several times. "Wouldn't you like a
house like that?"

He, with larger notions, shook his head each time. "Too small, Bertie.
We've the right to a fine big place--like that, now." He nodded towards
a stately gray-stone mansion, with the sign "For Sale" planted on its
lawn.

She was aghast. "Gee! what would we do with a state-house like that?"

"Live in it, sure."

"It would need four chamber-maids and two hired men to take care of a
place like that. And think of the money it would spoil to stock it with
furniture!" Nevertheless, she gazed at it long