THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 181 



came-yet, he-done, I-seen and you-was specimens of 

 the male sex, who sought the Golden West for rea- 

 sons quite other than that of the search for labor, 

 are no longer in evidence. Pointedly deficient in the 

 saying grace of humor they are "insulted" at every 

 turn. However humbly placed individually, good 

 breeding is not "touchy," but neither does it enjoy 

 having the nutmeg-grater of illiterate speech drag- 

 ged hourly across its nervous system. Hence, large- 

 ly, the barriers of caste. Substitute Taste for Caste, 

 acknowledge that sensitiveness and touchiness have 

 nothing in common, and perhaps the problem is 

 half solved. 



There are times when the snobbishness stalking 

 around even in the Free-and-Equal-West becomes 

 a good joke. For instance one evening I arrived 

 late for supper at our ranch resort, which oc- 

 casionally entertained guests who were not health- 

 seekers but who lingered for the sake of good board 

 and attractive surroundings or for reasons of per- 

 sonal convenience. It was late Spring and busy times 

 on the ranch and consequently my excuses met with 

 ready acceptance. But a woman — to whom one 

 would never think of applying the now expiring 

 term Lady — lifted a "proud" head and stared at me 

 with an expression which was intended to be haugh- 

 ty and "exclusive." 



"Well," she said, "I'm glad / have never been in 

 a position which compelled me to do menial labor !" 



Position! Menial! Lord o' Love! as a dear old 

 country friend was wont to exclaim when deeply 

 stirred. What did this woman mean by "position ?" 



