"Why, right in your own
line: you don't know what big pine is. Wait till you see the woods out
here. We've got the biggest trees, and the biggest mountains, and the
biggest crops and the biggest--."
"Liars," broke in Bob, laughing. "Don't forget them."
"Yes, the biggest liars, too," agreed Baker. "A man's got to lie big out
here to keep in practice so he can tell the plain truth without
straining himself."
Before they changed cars to the Valley line, Baker had a suggestion to
make.
"Look here," said he, "why _don't_ you come and look at the tall
buildings? You can't do anything in the mountains yet, and when you get
going you'll be too busy to see California. Come, make a pasear. Glad to
show you the sights. Get reckless. Take a chance. Peruse carefully your
copy of Rules for Rubes and try it on."
"Go ahead," said Welton, unexpectedly.
III
Bob went on to Los Angeles with the sprightly Baker. At first glance the
city seemed to him like any other. Then, as he wandered its streets, the
marvel and vigour and humour of the place seized on him.
"Don't you suppose I see the joke?" complained Baker at the end of one
of their long trolley rides.
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