“I’m not the one running with a Mexican.”

Maria Felix “Oh, well, I’d like to get into her knickers, if she actually wore any, if that’s what you mean.”

“What do you think of Arvel and the girl?”

Dan stopped working. He grinned. “Arvel, let’s see. Well, God bless’m if he’s cavortin’ with her. Good old Arvel. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He was glad now that he hadn’t made a play for the girl. He wouldn’t want to cut in on Arvel.

“Don’t you think that’s a little…?”

Dan swiveled in his chair. “That’s a little what, Dick? What, you mean because she’s so young?” Dan suddenly had an epiphany, “No, that’s not what you mean at all, is it, Dick?’

Dick felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Dan was making him feel suddenly very foolish. “No, no, let’s just drop it, Dan.”

“Well, okay, she’s a Mexican. I guess at least she isn’t an Indian.” Dan was tired of it all and he was beginning to unravel on Dick. He caught himself and stopped.

“That’s not right, Dan, that’s not, oh, God, let’s just stop, I’m sorry I said anything.”

“Shame on you, Dick.” Dick could never get used to Dan’s familiar tone. “Shame on you.”

“I’m not the one running with a Mexican.”

“If that’s all you’ve got to say about it,” Dan stood up and put his coat on, “I’m going down to have something to eat.” He looked at Dick again, and shook his head. “Shame on you.”

He turned back when he’d gotten out the door and looked in at Dick. “You’re a good man, Dick, but sometimes you can be a regular goddamned bone head.” The Mule Tamer