"
Even as Patches spoke, he saw something just beyond the approaching man
that made him start as if to rise to his feet.
It was the unmistakable face of Yavapai Joe, who, from behind an oak
bush, was watching the professor.
Patches, glancing at Kitty, saw that she had not noticed.
Before the young woman could reply to her companion's derisive remarks,
the object which had prompted his comments arrived within speaking
distance.
"I trust I am not intruding," began the professor, in his small, thin
voice. Then as Patches, his eyes still on that oak bush, stood up, the
little man added, with hasty condescension, "Keep your seat, my man;
keep your seat. I assure you it is not my purpose to deprive you of Miss
Reid's company."
Patches grinned. By that "my man" he knew that Kitty had not enlightened
her teacher as to the "typical cowboy's" real character.
"That's all right, perfessor," he said awkwardly. "I just seen a
maverick over yonder a-piece. I reckon I'd better mosey along an' have a
closer look at him. Me an' Kitty here warn't talkin' nothin' important,
nohow. Just a gassin' like. I reckon she'd ruther go on home with you,
anyhow, an' it's all right with me.
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