ng plans in the hall. I don't think
he will be bored if I join him." She got up languidly. "Since you are
not very amusing, I will go."

She went off and found Jim opening a drawer. "You can study your
plans; I won't disturb you," she said, sitting down by the fire. "I
really don't care for billiards."

He shut the drawer and leaned against a table opposite. "You were not
playing billiards; you were talking to Lance. That was why I went
away."

"You flatter me," said Evelyn. "But don't leave the plans. I expect
they are important."

"They are important. The rain is giving us trouble, and although I
began the job to occupy my leisure, I'm going to finish it because I
must."

"I think I understand. I am sorry you have had bad luck in Canada."

"Thank you. How did you know?"

"Bernard told us."

"I wonder why," Jim remarked, thoughtfully. "Although it doesn't
matter much, I didn't expect him to tell."

Evelyn pondered. Bernard had, no doubt, had an object, but she could
solve the puzzle afterwards. She was alone with Jim, and in a few
minutes the others might return.

"I was rather hurt when I found you had given Bernard your confidence
and left me out," she said. "But does this reverse in Canada hit you
hard?"

"It was a nasty knock. I expect to get over it, but it will be some
time before I recover the ground I've lost. Things will be better when
we plow the land I'm reclaiming from the marsh."

"In the meantime, you will have to struggle?"

"Yes," said Jim, rather grimly, "it will be a struggle. But that is
not all----"

He pulled himself up. There was a risk that he might say too much, and
while he hesitated Evelyn listened. The door was open and the house
was quiet, but she could not hear the click of the billiard balls. It
looked as if Dick and Carrie had finished their game, there was no time
for clever maneuvering; she must be frank. She gave Jim a quick glance
and then looked away.

"Jim," she said, "I am not poor."

He started, and his face got red. Evelyn's meaning was obvious, but he
could hardly persuade himself that he had grasped it.

"Much of my money has gone and I may not get it back," he said, with
forced quietness. "In one way, this does not matter; I'm not greedy,
but I'm proud. I must farm the reclaimed land and make my farming
profitable; I can't keep up Langrigg as my friends expect. I've got to
live and work as I lived and worked in Canada."

"Pe