The coats of the women were scarlet, vivid green, arresting, stimulating.

“Riders.”

“Yes.”

“Good weather for riding.”

A man was fishing near by. “Good weather for fishing.”

“Yes.”

“Wonder what time it is, anyway.” From a pocket, deep-buried, came forth a great gold blob of a watch. “I’ve got one minute to eleven.”

Old man Minick dragged forth a heavy globe. “Mm. I’ve got eleven.”

“Little fast, I guess.”

Old man Minick shook off this conversation impatiently. This wasn’t