human
Where did you come across Thorne?
gpt
When was that? I supposed you had come straight from the station.
human
Four days ago,
gpt
Four days! And you have been driving round the country since then with Thorne?
human
Of course; I couldn't help it. We should have been here earlier, only a horse went lame. In any case, after what you have told me, I cannot see why you should adopt that tone.
gpt
My dear, she said,
human
I was a working woman of no account in England when I first met you--but things are rather different now. It doesn't exactly please me that a guest of mine should indulge in an escapade of this description. Doesn't it strike you as hardly fitting?
gpt
Rubbish! he said curtly.
human
It was unavoidable. I've had a talk with Leslie; he told me exactly what delayed him.
gpt
Oh, she replied,
human
We broke the wagon pole. It didn't seem worth while to put in a new one to-night.
gpt
Did he mean Mr. Thorne by Leslie?
human
Of course.
gpt
But isn't his name Maverick?
human
Did you call him that?
gpt
I can't remember, though I suppose I must have done so. Some of the others certainly did.
human
I suppose you haven't an idea what a maverick is?
gpt
It's a steer that won't feed and follow tamely with the herd, but goes off or gets wild and smashes things, and generally does what's least desirable. As you have spent some days with him you will no doubt understand why they have fixed the name on Thorne.
human
I can only say this. I have met a few men one could look up to--after all, there are good people in the world--but I haven't yet come across one who showed more tact and considerate thoughtfulness than Maverick Thorne.
gpt
I shouldn't like to disturb that kind of optimism--and here he is; I'll leave you to talk to him. As it happens, Elcot looks rather grumpy, and the mail-carrier has just brought out a sheaf of my bills from Winnipeg which he hasn't seen yet.
human
I'm going on to the bluff in half an hour,
gpt
How much do I owe you?
human
Half a dollar.
gpt
Why didn't you say four or five dollars?
human
Since you evidently mean to insist on an answer, there are several reasons for my modesty. For one thing, you would have to borrow the money from Mrs. Hunter, which I don't think you would like to do. For another, if you were a Canadian I'd say--nothing--but as you're not used to the country yet you wouldn't care to accept a favor from a stranger.
gpt
But it would be a favor in any case.
human
Then you can get rid of the obligation by giving me half a dollar.
gpt
Thank you, he said.
human
I suppose you are going back to Mrs. Farquhar?
gpt
Yes, replied Alison impulsively.
human
I believe I am; but I may wait for a few days.
gpt
I think you're wise. You wouldn't find things very pleasant here.
human
Why?
gpt
If you'll permit me to mention it, you're too pretty.
human
You don't like Mrs. Hunter, but does that justify you in saying what you have? You can't mean that she would be--jealous?
gpt
That's exactly what I do mean.
human
Wait a little; I want to explain. First of all, she wouldn't have the slightest cause for jealousy. You're not the kind to give her one, and Elcot Hunter is one of the best and straightest men I know. In fact, that's partly what is troubling me.
gpt
Why should it trouble you?
human
If you urge me for a precise answer, I'm afraid I'll have to confess that I don't quite know. Anyway, because Hunter is the sort of man I have described, he'd try to make things pleasant for you, and there's no doubt that his wife would resent it. Whether she's fond of him at all, or not, I naturally can't say, but she expects him to be entirely at her beck and call, and I don't think she'd tolerate any little courtesies he might show you.
gpt
It's curious, isn't it? she said at length.
human
Florence must have had a very unpleasant time in England, where she had to practise the strictest self-denial. One would have thought it would have made her content and compassionate now that she has everything that she could wish for.
gpt
No, responded Thorne,
human
Oh, declared Alison impulsively,
gpt
I shouldn't care to think that.
human
Well, said Thorne, with unmoved gravity,
gpt
I don't know whether you have had as much to face as you say that she has, though one or two things seem to suggest it, but it certainly hasn't spoiled you.
human
As I want to reach the bluff to-night, I'll get my team harnessed.