the woman in her demanded that in all the vital affairs of life it was
the will of the men-folk which should rule.

But her self-denial was strained to breaking as the interminable
minutes grew, and, at last, she abandoned her principles to her woman's
curiosity, and slipped into the room. She knew well enough that none
of those present would resent her intrusion. And, anyway, it was hard
to stand by when her whole interest was absorbed in the decisions to be
arrived at.

She passed round the room and took up a position on the arm of her
father's chair. No one spoke to her. Scarcely an eye turned in her
direction. And something of the impressiveness of it all caught the
girl's imagination.

There was the dear familiar room with its simple furnishing, and its
poignant associations. It was part of her life. It was certainly part
of her father's and Jeff's. Then there was the warm sunlight pouring
in through the open windows. It lit the tanned, strong faces of the
men, and searched the weak spots in their toil-worn equipment. There
was not a weak face among them. And Nan felt comfort in the thought
that theirs was the decision.

The face of Jay Pendick, their own headman, with its small, alert dark
eyes reflected the intentness of his mind. His capacity had been tried
over and over again in his long years of service. Then Lal Hobhouse,
the best-hated man on the countryside for his ruthless genius in
obtaining work from those under him, and the driving force of Jeff's
side of the partnership. Her father, wise and silent, except for his
heavy breathing. And lastly Jeff, full of a hard determination to beat
the game in which he was engaged.

So keen was the interest of the gathering that Bud alone was smoking.
But then Bud regarded tobacco as a necessary adjunct to soundness of
judgment.

He slipped an arm about Nan's waist as she took up her position at his
side.

Jeff was seated at the centre table, a position strongly reminiscent to
the girl of a smaller gathering some four years back, when he had
occupied the position of leadership in the enterprise which had had
such successful results for them all. Jay was poised upon the edge of
a small chair which suggested immediate peril under his forceful and
scarcely elegant methods when discussing the doings of rustlers, and
imparting his opinion upon all and sundry of their class. Lal
disdained all parlor attitude. He was squatting against the edge of