fortunate hitherto," he said presently.
"In fact, this city seems to be labouring under a commercial
depression, and I have been unable to find any of the opportunities I
had expected. Nor has my daughter been more successful."

Alton, who had been looking about him in the meanwhile, noticed that
although the day was chilly there was no fire in the stove, while
glancing at the man who lay, infirm alike in will and body, in the
chair, he understood why the girl's fingers had trembled and the
mistiness he had for a moment seen in her eyes. He was also wondering
by what means he could lessen one difficulty, but it was Seaforth who
devised one first.

"Things will get better presently," he said. "Now Harry and I often
remember the pleasant evenings we spent at your ranch, and we never got
suppers like those Miss Townshead made us, at Somasco."

"My daughter found it necessary to acquire the art of cookery in
Canada," said Townshead a trifle distantly.

"Of course," said Seaforth, smiling. "Everybody is compelled to in
this country, and I only referred to the subject because Harry seems to
fancy it must be difficult to get any of the little things we are used
to in the bush in the city, while your kindness to us would justify
what might otherwise appear a liberty. We brought a few odds and ends
you can't get quite so nice in Vancouver along. Hadn't you better go
and bring them in, Harry?"

Alton glanced at him in bewildered astonishment. "Bring them in?" he
said.

Seaforth shook his head deprecatingly. "You haven't forgotten already,
and you are not going to escape in that fashion," he said. "If you'll
ask at the hotel they'll tell you where to find the things."

Alton moved so that Townshead could not see him, and his face was
utterly perplexed. "What things?" he said.

"Two or three fowls," said Seaforth reflectively. "There were some
eggs, a bag of the big yellow apples, and--now it's curious I forgot
the rest."

Alton's eyes twinkled. "Oh, yes," he said. "Some venison. There was
the deer you shot in the potatoes, and a bag of dried plums. Our
orchard has done very well, Mr. Townshead."

"I wonder if I forgot the Excelsior pears," said Seaforth. "They're as
big as your two fists, and Harry's quite proud of them."

Townshead, who was not an observant man, appeared astonished, and also
a trifle touched. "I'm afraid I have not always appreciated my bush
friends as I should have done, and your