had better take it away before I do more damage, and let
me have some fish," he said humbly.

"Another time you'll say what you want at first. You can't prospect
right through the menu," she rebuked him.

In the meanwhile George had been describing his companions on the train
to one of the men opposite.

"He told me he was located in the district, but I didn't learn his
name, and he didn't get off here," he explained. "Do you know him?"

"Sure," said the other. "It's Alan Grant, of Poplar, 'bout eighteen
miles back. Guess he went on to the next station--a little farther,
but it's easier driving, now they're dumping straw on the trail."

"Putting straw on the road?" Edgar broke in. "Why are they doing that?"

"You'll see, if you drive out north," the man answered shortly. Then
he turned to his better-dressed companion. "What are you going to do
with that carload of lumber we got for Grant?"

"Send the car on to Benton."

"She's billed here."

"Can't help that--the road's mistake. Grant ordered all his stuff to
Benton. What he says goes."

This struck George as significant--it was only a man of importance
whose instructions would be treated with so much deference. Then the
agent turned to Edgar.

"What do you think of this country?"

"The country's very nice. So far as I've seen them, I can't say as
much for the towns; they might be prettier."

"Might be prettier?" exclaimed the agent. "If they're not good enough
for you, why did you come here?"

"I'm not sure it was a very judicious move. But, you see, I didn't
know what the place was like; and, after all, an experience of this
kind is supposed to be bracing."

The agent ignored Edgar after this. He talked to George, and elicited
the information that the latter meant to farm. Then he got up,
followed by two of the others, and the remaining man with the English
appearance turned to George diffidently.

"Do you happen to want a teamster?" he asked.

"I believe I'll want two," was the answer. "But I'm afraid I'll have
to hire Canadians."

The man's face fell. He looked anxious, and George remembered having
seen a careworn woman tearfully embracing him before their steamer
sailed. Her shabby clothes and despairing face had roused George's
sympathy.

"Well," said the man dejectedly, "that's for you to decide; but I've
driven horses most of my life, and until I get used to things I'd be
reasonable about the pay. I was told these litt