Part 29 (1/2)

”If I had been quite sure of what was going on, I should have sent that young man away,” she remarked. ”As it is, I am very glad that he is going to Victoria.”

Violet slipped an arm about Mrs. Acton's neck and kissed her shyly.

”You would never have been so cruel, and now you are going to be my friend,” she said. ”I don't want him to go back to that horrible canon.”

Mrs. Acton smiled. ”I almost feel that I could shake both of you, but I suppose I shall have to marshal my forces on your behalf.”

She set about her plans that evening, when she invaded Acton's smoking-room, and her husband listened to her with a little dry smile.

”I guess this is about the first time I have ever known you to do a real foolish thing,” he observed.

”Well,” said Mrs. Acton, ”it is, perhaps, to my credit that I have done one now. Anyway, I like the man.”

Acton nodded. ”Oh, yes;” he agreed, ”that's quite comprehensible.

There's a good deal of tone about him, but except with women that's not a thing that counts in this country. It's the bulldog grip and grit that goes farthest here--anyway, when a man has no money behind him.”

”You wouldn't consider Nasmyth a weak man?”

”Not in one way. When he's right up against it, he'll stiffen himself and fight, but when the strain slackens a little his kind are apt to let go too easily.”

This, as a matter of fact, was more or less correct, but Mrs. Acton's intention was not to discuss Nasmyth's character, and she smiled at her husband.

”Well,” she announced; ”I expect you to take a hand in the thing.”

Acton's gesture was expressive of resignation. ”I guessed it. However, it seems to me that young man has quite enough friends to give him a shove here and there already. To begin with, there's Wisbech.”

”What would Wisbech do?”

”Not much.” And Acton smiled understandingly. ”He means to let his nephew feel his own feet. He's a sensible man. Then there's that man Gordon from the Bush, and it seems I'm to do my share, too. Guess if I was Nasmyth, I'd say 'thank you,' and go right ahead without listening to one among the crowd of us.”

”That,” Mrs. Acton said, ”isn't quite the question. I think I pointed out what I expect from you.”

Acton's eyes twinkled. ”You did,” he a.s.sured her. ”I'll try to set things in train the first time I go down to the city.”

This was somewhat vague, but Mrs. Acton was satisfied. Nevertheless, she said nothing to Nasmyth on the subject, and next afternoon he left Bonavista for Victoria. A day or two later he called by appointment at the office of a certain land exploitation agency, and found Hutton waiting for him. Hutton, who sat with his elbows on the table, pointed to a chair.

”You have taken my view of the thing?” he said in a questioning tone.

”If you'll sit down a minute, I'll call my clerk in, and he'll get the papers ready.”

Nasmyth smiled. ”I don't think you need trouble to do that just yet.

You see, I haven't the least intention of closing with your offer.”

It is just possible that Hutton had expected this, but, in any case, he betrayed no astonishment. He leaned forward, regarding his visitor with an almost expressionless face.

”Then,” he returned, ”I'll hear your proposition.”

”What do you think of the one I had the pleasure of making you some time ago?” Nasmyth inquired.

”Quite out of the question.”

Nasmyth smiled. ”That,” he remarked, ”is in one sense a pity, as I couldn't repeat it to-day. If we are to do business together, I should have to ask you for a considerably larger share of the profit. In fact, I was wondering if you could see your way to offer half as much again.”