"They'll want,some of them,to spend their money before to-morrow;and others would like to be able to rise up comfortably drunk Christmas morning,"the superintendent had suggested.Mr.Mulrady had just signed a number of checks indicating his largess to those devoted adherents with the same unostentatious,undemonstrative,matter-of-fact manner that distinguished his ordinary business.
The men had received it with something of the same manner.A half-humorous "Thank you,sir"--as if to show that,with their patron,they tolerated this deference to a popular custom,but were a little ashamed of giving way to it--expressed their gratitude and their independence.
"I reckon that the old lady and Mamie are having a high old time in some of them gilded pallises in St.Petersburg or Berlin about this time.Them diamonds that I ordered at Tiffany ought to have reached 'em about now,so that Mamie could cut a swell at Christmas with her war-paint.I suppose it's the style to give presents in furrin'countries ez it is here,and I allowed to the old lady that whatever she orders in that way she is to do in Californy style--no dollar-jewelry and galvanized-watches business.If she wants to make a present to any of them nobles ez has been purlite to her,it's got to be something that Rough-and-Ready ain't ashamed of.Ishowed you that pin Mamie bought me in Paris,didn't I?It's just come for my Christmas present.No!I reckon I put it in the safe,for them kind o'things don't suit my style:but s'pose I orter sport it to-morrow.It was mighty thoughtful in Mamie,and it must cost a lump;it's got no slouch of a pearl in it.I wonder what Mamie gave for it?""You can easily tell;the bill is here.You paid it yesterday,"said Slinn.There was no satire in the man's voice,nor was there the least perception of irony in Mulrady's manner,as he returned quietly,--"That's so;it was suthin'like a thousand francs;but French money,when you pan it out as dollars and cents,don't make so much,after all."There was a few moments'silence,when he continued,in the same tone of voice,"Talkin'o'them things,Slinn,I've got suthin'for you."He stopped suddenly.Ever watchful of any undue excitement in the invalid,he had noticed a slight flush of disturbance pass over his face,and continued carelessly,"But we'll talk it over to-morrow;a day or two don't make much difference to you and me in such things,you know.