Stevens flushed and admitted that he was not, and the old gentleman said he did not deem it necessary.
Travis Gully, who was wholly unprepared for this byplay on young Norton's part, sat quietly by and awaited for him to continue.
Excusing himself for a moment, Jack Norton stepped out into the hall, and entering an adjoining room, the door of which was standing open, he immediately returned with a chair, which he placed at the table, and began:
"In the first place, Mr. Palmer," this being the old gentleman's name, "what is the nature of the improvements that you propose to make on this land?"
"Well," Palmer began, "we intend to have it cleared of brush and prepared for sowing to grain."
"What amount of land do you propose to have put into a state of cultivation?" Norton asked.
"One whole section this winter, and probably more later," replied Palmer.
"You have visited this land and are familiar with the conditions, are you not, Mr. Palmer?" asked Jack.
"Yes, I was there yesterday."
"Knowing that the land is isolated to a certain extent and that there are no buildings on it or water for the men and stock who may be employed by you, do you propose to make the necessary improvements in the way of shelter and water, or does the contractor have to provide these requirements?" was Norton's next question.