И проиграли бой

           Becausehisfingershadnothingelsetodowhilehewalked,theysnappedathissideswithlittlerhythmicreports.Whenhespoke,hiswordswereliketherestofhim,quick,nervous,sharp."What’sthematterwithyourbusiness?"hedemandedofAl.

           Alwentheavilyonthedefensive."Well,yousee—Ithought——"

           "Youwantedtogetofftheranch,wantedtogointotown,startabusiness,townboy,wantedtoloungearound.Didn’tliketowhitewash,neverdid.What’sthematterwithyourbusiness?"Hiseyeshoveredoneachofthemen,ontheirshoesandontheirfaces.

           Macstilllookedintothekennelandrubbedthedogs’noses.Alexplained,"Well,yousee,Ibrangtheseguysout,theywantedtoseeyou."

           TheoldmaneliminatedAl."Well,they’rehere.Youcangetbacktoyourbusinessnow."

           Allookedathislittlefatherwiththehurteyesofadogabouttobebathed,andthenreluctantlyheclimbedintohiscaranddrovedisconsolatelyaway.

           Macsaid,"Ihaven’tseensuchpointersinalongtime."

           Al’sfathersteppedupbesidehim."Man,youneverseensuchpointersinyourlife."Awarmthwasestablished.

           "Doyoushootover’emmuch?"

           "Everyseason.AndIgetbirds,too.Lotsoffoolsusesetters.Setter’sanetdog,nobodynetsbirdsanymore.Pointer’sarealgundog."

           "Ilikethelooksofthatonewiththeliversaddle."