When Patches reviewed the incident, as he rode back to the ranch, he questioned if he had done right in promising Joe.  But, after all, he reassured himself, he was under no obligation to interfere with what was clearly none of his business.  He could not see that the matter in any possible way touched his employer’s interests.  And, he reflected, he had already tried the useless experiment of meddling with other people’s affairs, and he did not care to repeat the experience.

That evening Patches asked Phil’s permission to go to Prescott the next day.  It would be the first time that he had been to town since his coming to the ranch and the foreman readily granted his request.

A few minutes later as Phil passed through the kitchen, Mrs. Baldwin remarked, “I wonder what Patches is feeling so gay about.  Ever since he got home from the rodeo he’s been singin’ an’ whistlin’ an’ grinnin’ to himself all the time.  He went out to the corral just now as merry as a lark.”

Phil laughed.  “Anybody would be glad to get through with that rodeo, mother; besides, he is going to town to-morrow.”

“He is?  Well, you mark my words, son, there’s somethin’ up to make him feel as good as he does.”

And then, when Phil had gone on out into the yard, Professor Parkhill found him.

“Mr. Acton,” began the guest timidly, “there is a little matter about which I feel I should speak to you.”

“Very well, sir,” returned the cowboy.

“I feel that it would be better for me to speak to you rather than to Mr. Baldwin, because, well, you are younger, and will, I am sure, understand more readily.”

“All right; what is it, Professor?” asked Phil encouragingly, wondering at the man’s manner.

“Do you mind—­ah—­walking a little way down the road?”

As they strolled out toward the gate to the meadow road, the professor continued: 

“I think I should tell you about your man Patches.”

Phil looked at his companion sharply.  “Well, what about him?”

“I trust you will not misunderstand my interest, Mr. Acton, when I say that it also includes Miss Reid.”

Phil stopped short.  Instantly Mrs. Baldwin’s remark about Patches’ happiness, his own confession that he had given up all hope of winning Kitty, and the thought of the friendship which he had seen developing during the past months, with the realization that Patches belonged to that world to which Kitty aspired—­all swept through his mind.  He was looking at the man beside him so intently that the professor said again uneasily: 

“I trust, Mr. Acton, that you will understand.”

Phil laughed shortly.  “I think I do.  But just the same you’d better explain.  What about Patches and Miss Reid, sir?”

The professor told how he had found them together that afternoon.

“Oh, is that all?” laughed Phil.

“But surely, Mr. Acton, you do not think that a man of that fellow’s evident brutal instincts is a fit associate for a young woman of Miss Reid’s character and refinement.”