"You are quiet to-night," she said.
Andrew looked up with a deprecatory smile.
"I fear I'm disgracefully dull; but I don't seem able to think of anything except that it's very pleasant to be here again."
"You consider that a good excuse?"
"I can't judge; I felt that I needed one. In fact, I don't know what is the matter with me since I came down-river."
Geraldine had some idea; a glance at the man supplied an explanation.
"You are worn out, for one thing," she answered sympathetically.
He mused5 for a few moments, and the girl was not displeased6. From the first she had felt on curiously7 confidential8 terms with him. He was direct and sincere and, though by no means shallow, he seldom puzzled her.
"No," he said, "it's not altogether that. We had a rather bad time before the relief party arrived, but I felt up to my work—anxious, of course, but not troubled[Pg 223] by the slackness that has since got hold of me. All this, however, isn't of much consequence. I'm very grateful to you and your father for sending help—we were in a very tight place when it came. But I don't understand how you knew we needed it."
Geraldine looked down, to hide her confusion.
"I wonder why you associate me with my father?"
"I can't tell you clearly, but I feel that you had something to do with the matter. Indeed, it made the relief more welcome. But you haven't given me an explanation."
"Do you understand why you failed to find the food?"
"Yes," said Andrew grimly. "I've a suspicion that you know as much about it as I do, though it's hard to see how you came by the knowledge."
Geraldine looked up with a forced smile. He must not guess how she had led Mappin to betray himself.
"It is rather astonishing, isn't it? The search gave you trouble, and you have some respect for your thinking powers."
"I've more respect for Carnally's; he found the clue. But he was on the spot."
"And I was handicapped by being at home? Do you know I sometimes think I'm not altogether stupid?"
"You're exceptionally clever," said Andrew warmly. "You have a gift for seizing on the truth and sticking to it. I think it's because the truth is in you that you recognize it. That's different from smartness."
"It wasn't labored; I believe it was a flash of insight," Andrew declared. He glanced at her face and laughed, looking baffled.
[Pg 224]There was silence for the next few moments. Geraldine knew what the man thought of her, but she approved of the respectful diffidence he generally displayed. Now that he was safe, she preferred that they remain on a purely12 friendly footing for a time; he was hers, but she shrank with a fluttering timidity from an open surrender. It was not difficult to repulse13 him gently when he grew too bold. Nevertheless his wan14 and downcast appearance roused a deep and tender pity. She longed to hear his troubles and comfort him.
"You suddenly changed the subject we began," she said. "Were you not going to tell me why you feel depressed15?"
"Something of the kind," replied Andrew. "It didn't seem a very happy topic."
"That was a mistake," declared Geraldine reproachfully. "You shouldn't have doubted my interest, and it lightens one's troubles to confide9 in a friend."
"Well," he said, "failure is hard to bear, and I've a strong suspicion that I've undertaken more than I'm able to carry out. So far, I've made a deplorable mess of things. We reached the neighborhood of the lode17 with no time to search the ground, and, for all the results we got, we might as well have stayed at home."
"But it's something to have proved that the lode exists."
"I'm not sure it's worth proving. The value of the ore is the most important point, because a mine could not be worked up there unless it was very rich. Then there's a risk of Graham's being lamed18 for life. Mappin has beaten us badly at the beginning of the fight."
"The trouble is that other opponents I shall have to meet may use similar methods, and unless I do the same, I'll be further handicapped. As it happens, I'm carrying weight enough already."
Geraldine looked thoughtful.
"In a way, you're right. I've learned something about the situation."
"If we had proved the lode to be rich, I should have had something to fall back on; but I've failed. Now I must attack strong vested interests, with the whole influence of my conservative relatives against me. My chief antagonist20 enjoys a high prestige, and has made an excellent profit on the money handed him." Andrew laughed in a rueful manner. "And I'm the fool of the family, who has lately taken to upsetting a very satisfactory state of affairs. Can you imagine the surprise and disgust of everybody concerned?"
"But your people are upright, aren't they?"
"Oh, yes; there's no doubt of that. But, with one or two unimportant exceptions, they're conventional and prejudiced. They believe in what they see; the prosperity of Allinson's, the dividends21 coming in. They distrust anything that seems out of the usual course, and they couldn't bring themselves to think there should be anything wrong with the firm. I, whom they good-naturedly look down on, have to convince them to the contrary."
"It will be hard; one can understand that. But the feeling of helplessness that troubles you now will pass. You must remember that you have borne enough to exhaust you."
"My body's tired," Andrew admitted. "One can get[Pg 226] over that. The real difficulty is that my mind feels sick."
"Is there no connection between the two?" Geraldine smiled at him. "You make me think it's the first time you have had any serious difficulties."
"That's true. It looks as if there were some benefit in being dull. You're saved a good deal of trouble if you don't notice things."
"I didn't mean that," Geraldine objected. "You're not really dull, you know."
"Then I'm something like it. But you don't think I've been foolish in starting on this campaign?"
"No!" said Geraldine promptly22. "I think you are doing what is fine! You must go on; I want you to win. The difficulties won't look so serious if you attack them one by one, and it must be worth something to have the right on your side. There is so much injustice23 everywhere and few people seem to mind. No doubt it's dangerous to interfere24, but it's encouraging to find a man here and there who is not afraid."
"One here and there?" smiled Frobisher. "You're not exacting27. In France, they once asked for a hundred men who knew how to die, and found them in one southern town."
Geraldine's color was higher than usual, but she laughed.
"I suppose I am a bit of a sentimentalist; but you're too cynical28. I don't see why you should be proud of your detached and critical attitude. You look on as if the sight of people struggling amused you."
"I don't think I really am proud of it, but perhaps there's something to be said for the intelligent spectator who knows his limitations and is content with trying[Pg 227] to see fair play. However, I came to take Allinson away for a smoke. If I leave him to you, you'll be sending him off on some new chivalrous29 adventure."
Seeing that his host was waiting for him, Andrew rose, but as he reached the door Geraldine looked at him with a smile.
"What I said was rather crude, but I meant it."
"She generally does mean things; it's a habit that has its drawbacks," Frobisher said, as he led Andrew to his smoking-room, where he gave him a cigar and pointed30 to an easy-chair.
"What are you going to do about Mappin?" the American asked bluntly.
"Nothing. As he has only to deny what I told him to clear himself, there's no means of punishing him. I can't see any use in making a fuss that can have no result. It would simply show I was the weaker party."
"You're wise," Frobisher agreed. Then his eyes twinkled. "Carnally, however, seems to have seen a way out of the difficulty. You haven't heard what happened at the settlement?"
"No; I hired a sleigh and went for a drive. After that I slept until I came here. I tried to keep out of people's way."
"You missed a dramatic scene at the store. I'm told Carnally threw Mappin downstairs and out into the snow."
"It's a pity, but I might have been prepared for something of the kind. I can hardly grudge32 him any satisfaction he derived33 from it."
"It was a good stroke; Mappin will find it damaging."
"But I understood he was a friend of yours," Andrew said with some awkwardness.
[Pg 228]"He came to my house. I put up with him, which I think describes it best, though I fail to see much reason for doing so any longer. But what are you going to do about the lode?"
"Go back and investigate it thoroughly34. We'll wait until the spring."
"Then you mean to proceed with your scheme? I see trouble, but I mustn't discourage you. Now I guess the situation warrants some candor35. Has it struck you that Mappin is working hand in hand with your brother-in-law?"
"I'm afraid it's true." Andrew's face was grave. "You can see how it complicates36 things."
"But you mean to go on?"
"I must," said Andrew simply.
Frobisher leaned forward and touched his arm.
He changed the subject abruptly38, and they talked of other matters until they went back to the drawing-room. Some time afterward39 there was a knock at the door, and Geraldine, opening it, held out a telegram to Andrew.
"It's from the assayer40; I left word at the settlement for the message to be sent on," he explained. "You will excuse my opening it?"
"Of course," said Geraldine. "May it bring you good news!"
Frobisher and Geraldine looked puzzled.
"But you seem satisfied," the girl said.
"I am. I asked the man to let me have his general[Pg 229] opinion as soon as he could; he's to send a regular analysis later. He has been quick, but perhaps he has some rough preliminary test."
"But he tells you they're unpromising!"
"I'm beginning to think Mr. Allinson is a bit of a genius," Frobisher observed. "No doubt he'll explain his mysterious proceedings43."
"I gave the man a three-word code, reversing the meaning, and his answer puts the quality of the ore, so to speak, in the comparative degree. It shows that we have struck the edge of the lode, and careful prospecting44 should give us better results."
He broke off, standing still, the message in his hand and a look of marked relief in his face, and Frobisher turned to his daughter.
"It was a maxim45 of Napoleon's that one should use every means of misleading the enemy, and Mr. Allinson seems to know that telegrams are handled rather casually46 in these small places. A mineral claim doesn't belong to its discoverer until it's duly staked off and recorded; and if all the formalities are not complied with it can be jumped."
He was called away a few minutes later, and Andrew took his place by the hearth with Geraldine sitting opposite him.
"I'm very glad you got such good news," she said, with a curious softness in her voice.
"Thank you. It was you who brought it to me; but that wasn't all you did. I came here dejected, and now I'm cheerful again."
"But that isn't surprising, after the message."
"It wasn't the message. I was bracing47 up before it came; you and your father made me feel that I needn't despair. In fact, I was getting ashamed of[Pg 230] being downcast, after the confidence you seemed to have in me."
Geraldine smiled at him.
"Ah!" she said. "It must need a good deal of courage to lead a forlorn hope, and one could imagine that your undertaking48 looked like that. It must be much pleasanter to feel that you have some chance of winning. But what will you do next?"
"Go home, I think. I want to see how I stand there."
"For long?" Geraldine asked quietly.
"No; for a month or so. I shall be eager to get back." Andrew paused and asked with a hint of tension in his voice: "Will I be missed?"
"Of course!" Geraldine looked up with friendly candor. "But will you be able to make the double journey and do all that's needful in a few weeks?"
Andrew felt gently rebuffed. Geraldine had a way of checking him when he tried to draw closer to her, and her unembarrassed frankness was deterring49.
Frobisher came in then, and they chatted about various matters until Andrew took his leave. When he reached his hotel he wrote a letter home, announcing his return, and the next morning he had a long talk with Carnally, whom he empowered to act as his deputy while he was in England. Then he went to Graham's and found the Winnipeg surgeon leaving. His report was favorable: Graham's foot could be saved, though it would be some time before he recovered the use of it.
Andrew was shown into a room where his comrade lay on a couch.
"I've heard the news and I'm very glad," he said. "I was troubled about you."
[Pg 231]"You couldn't hide it." Graham smiled at him. "It wasn't your fault I got frost-bitten, anyway. But have you heard about the specimens?"
"Yes; the first report's encouraging. Of course, I haven't learned the full results yet."
"That's good. Now I must try to get about again as soon as possible."
"There's no hurry. As you know, you needn't go back to the mill until you're able. Then as Carnally and I know where the lode is, it isn't strictly52 necessary that you should come with us."
"Isn't it! I've been thinking about that lode for twenty years, and do you suppose I could let another man locate it? Besides, we must stake three claims on the best frontage."
"That would be better; but what about Mrs. Graham? Haven't you given her enough anxiety?"
Graham looked disturbed.
"I can't predict what line she'll take, but I venture to believe she'll let me go, knowing I'll be satisfied for good when I have finished my work."
Andrew told him about his trip home and the arrangements he had made with Carnally, and left soon afterward. During the next week he came in daily and spent two evenings with the Frobishers, and then he left the Landing early one morning by the Montreal express.
The Atlantic passage was short and uneventful, and late one afternoon he alighted from a local train at a wayside station among the English hills. Wannop and Hilda were waiting on the platform, and after the first greetings were over, the girl regarded her brother critically.
[Pg 232]"Andrew," she exclaimed, "you haven't come back the same! How did you get those lines on your forehead?"
"Are there some?" Andrew asked with a smile. "I suppose I was anxious now and then. Not knowing whether you'll get enough to eat makes one think."
Hilda shook her head.
"No; that's not it. My dear boy, you have been developing since you went to Canada."
"If you're right," laughed Andrew, "it was getting time I did; but you're standing in the way of the baggage truck."
They moved on, and when they drove off in Wannop's trap Andrew sat silent for a while, looking about delightedly. It was open weather; by comparison with the Canadian cold, the air was soft and mild. A gray sky hung above the hills, but there was a glimmer53 of pale red and saffron low in the west, and the rugged54 slopes, clothed with withered55 fern, shone a rich, warm brown. Then they dipped into a valley which struck Andrew, accustomed to the monotonous56 snow-glare, as wonderfully green. The shining riband of a river wound through its midst; clover growing among the stubble and broad strips of raw-red soil where sheep, netted in, stood about the turnip-cutters, checkered57 the pasture land. They passed climbing woods where the leafless branches formed blurs58 of blue and gray; and here and there a white thread of foaming59 water streaked60 the heights above.
It was a countryside that Andrew loved, but now, while softly beautiful, it looked strangely small—a narrow green strip, shut in by lofty moors61. Then there were many tall hedgerows and big stone walls; one could not wander there at will. The wide horizons and[Pg 233] the limitless stretch of trackless woods were missing. It was curious, Andrew thought, with what content he had once searched stubble and turnips62 for partridges, and stood with gun ready outside the woods from which the pheasants broke on clattering63 wings. Now all that seemed tame; he had lost his zest64 for it in a sterner chase.
Hilda broke in upon his reflections.
"You haven't spared me much attention yet," she said. "How do you think I'm looking?"
"Now that I think of it, you're growing rather pretty; though that is what I expected."
"I'm aware of it." Hilda made him the best curtsey that space allowed. "But don't you notice that I'm looking more mature and intellectual?"
"Steady!" Wannop cautioned. "You nearly knocked the whip out of my hand. Keep that kind of thing for the ballroom—it's wasted on your brother."
"The maturity65 didn't strike me; but you used to show signs of intelligence now and then," Andrew answered.
"Perhaps it's better to be pretty. Cleverness is open to any one who is willing to study. But did you see any girl as nice-looking as I am while you were in Canada?"
"Even at the risk of giving offense66, I can think of one—though of course beauty is largely a matter of taste."
"Ah!" exclaimed Hilda delightedly. "I had my suspicions! I suppose you mean the girl who wrote to Ethel about you?"
Andrew started and Wannop laughed.
"I knew she was up to something. That is what she has been leading you on to."
"How did you hear about her?" Andrew asked. "Did Ethel tell you?"
[Pg 234]"As a matter of fact, she wasn't very communicative, but I elicited67 a few scraps68 of information. It's surprising how one can follow up a clue."
"I suppose so," said Andrew. "Whether it leads you right or not is another matter. I'm thankful I haven't your fervid69 imagination."
"I always knew he wasn't a fool. But I wish you would keep still. The horse is fresh and this is a steep bit of road."
Hilda changed the subject, for she had learned enough from her brother's start to give her food for thought.
"Leonard will be down to-morrow with Florence," Wannop said when they approached the house. "I suppose you'll have something to tell us. I needn't remind you that if there's any difficulty you can count on me."
Andrew gave him a grateful nod, and a few minutes later they drove up to Ghyllside.
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1
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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compassionately
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| adv.表示怜悯地，有同情心地 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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14
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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lode
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| n.矿脉 | |
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lamed
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| 希伯莱语第十二个字母 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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complicates
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| 使复杂化( complicate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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assayer
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| n.试金者，分析专家 | |
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exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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prospecting
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| n.探矿 | |
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maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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deterring
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的现在分词 ) | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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51
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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checkered
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| adj.有方格图案的 | |
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blurs
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| n.模糊( blur的名词复数 )；模糊之物；（移动的）模糊形状；模糊的记忆v.（使）变模糊( blur的第三人称单数 )；（使）难以区分 | |
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59
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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60
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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61
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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62
turnips
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| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
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63
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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64
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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65
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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66
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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67
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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69
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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70
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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71
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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