nerves.

"I suppose I am to infer from your silence that you do not take kindly
to the proposition," observed Mr. Dill, in a colorless tone which
betrayed the fact that he did have nerves.

"I can take a josh, all right," Billy stopped singing long enough to
say. "For a steady-minded cuss, yuh do have surprising streaks, Dilly,
and that's a fact. Yuh sprung it on me mighty smooth, for not having
much practice--I'll say that for yuh."

Mr. Dill looked hurt. "I hope you do not seriously think that I would
joke upon a matter of business," he protested.

"Well, I know old Brown pretty tolerable well--and I ain't accusing
him uh ribbing up a big josh on yuh. He ain't that brand."

"I must confess I fail to get your point of view," said Mr. Dill, with
just a hint of irascibility in his voice. "There is no joke unless you
are forcing one upon me now. Mr. Brown made me a bona-fide offer,
and I have made a small deposit to hold it until you came and I could
consult you. We have three days left in which to decide for or against
it. It is all perfectly straight, I assure you."

Billy took time to consider this possibility. "Well, in that case,
and all jokes aside, I'd a heap rather have the running uh the
Double-Crank than be President and have all the newspapers hollering
how 'President Billy Boyle got up at eight this morning and had
ham-and-eggs for his breakfast, and then walked around the block with
the Queen uh England hanging onto his left arm,' or anything like that
But what I can't seem to get percolated through me is why, in God's
name, the Double-Crank wants to sell."

"That," Mr. Dill remarked, his business instincts uppermost, "it seems
to me, need not concern us--seeing that they _will_ sell, and at a
price we can handle."

"I reckon you're right. Would yuh mind saying over the details uh the
offer again?"

"Mr. Brown"--Dill cleared his throat--"offered to sell me a full
section of land, extending from the line-fence of the home ranch,
east--"

"Uh-huh--now what the devil's his idea in that?" Billy cut in
earnestly. "The Double-Crank owns about three or four miles uh bottom
land, up the creek west uh the home ranch. Wonder why he wants to hold
that out?"

"I'm sure I do not know," answered Dill. "He did not mention that to
me, but confined himself, naturally, to what he was willing to sell."

"Oh it don't matter. And all the range stuff, yuh said--ten thousand
head, and--"

"I believe he is reservin