Thousand: Four Hundred Sixty-One

into the gazebo’s rafters. Bernie is examining the plate for footprints as the new guest steps onto the boards. “Pleased tuh meet yew,” the cowboy says, offering a long freckled hand. “Mah name is Darn.” Darn? Bernie takes the hand and is pleased that his own is not crushed in the greeting. “Nice to meet you,” Bernie says, giving his name, his whole name, half expecting the young man’s eyes to light. But the cowboy nods mildly, seating himself on the gazebo’s built-in bench next to Bernie. With a flourish, the innkeeper drops down before the cowboy a fresh plate,