The shadow of a grin flitted across John Burt’s face, for he sometimes saw and heard more than was generally believed.
“If you was aimin’ to stay any length of time, ma’am,” Yankee Sam fished innocently, “we kin git up a picnic and show you somethin’ of the country when the snow goes off. About three days’ ride from here I know a real nice view.”
Helen thanked him adequately and explained that she was not sure how long she would remain. “I should like to stay, though,” she added, “long enough to see the boom.”
Ore City sat up as if she had said, “bomb.”
“By the way, I wonder, if Mr. Griswold is here?”
It was Uncle Bill then! He’d ought to be lynched. It was sickening the luck some people had.
Uncle Bill came forward wonderingly.
“Here I be.”
Helen put out a friendly hand:
“You don’t know me, of course, but I’ve heard a great deal about you.”