A light wind moved the poplar branches and sparkling ripples rolled across Lost Lake. Along the margin the cracked mud was white with salt; the leaves in the bluff were going yellow and cut the turquoise sky. In the distance belts of stubble reflected the sunshine and withered grass rolled back to the horizon. The lake was perhaps not beautiful, but Kit acknowledged the spacious landscape’s tranquil charm.
At one time Lost Lake was a landmark for the Hudson Bay courreurs steering south behind their dog-teams for the Assiniboine. Now a wagon trail went by the bluff, and, some distance off, railroad telegraph posts melted in the grass. The courreurs were long since gone, and on summer holidays picnic parties from two prairie towns arrived on board noisy automobiles.
Alison occupied a birch log under the trees; Kit lay in the grass and smoked. A hundred yards off Austin was engaged at the car. It looked as if he were annoyed and Mrs. Austin soothed him.
“Carrie’s proper plan is to leave Bob alone,” said Kit. “If she stops much longer I expect he will break something. When you’re up against an obstinate engine to talk politely is hard.”
“Perhaps one ought to use some control,” Alison remarked. “But you are an engineer. Cannot you help?”
“I doubt,” said Kit. “The makers claim a flivver’s foolproof, and my clothes are rather good. Then until Bob’s satisfied he won’t stop. The engine ought not to knock, and he’s resolved to see it does not. Since the car is not his, I don’t think he’s reasonable.”
“Your argument is rather labored. You feel you must justify your selfishness?”
“Sometimes selfishness is justified, and I expect Miss Grey will soon arrive. It looks as if she thought I ought not to talk to you unless she’s about. Well, I want to talk to you; I don’t want to dispute with your friend.”
Alison smiled. “Florence is a useful friend, and she does not really dislike you. She rather doubts all she thinks you stand for.”
“Since she’s aggressively democratic and I stand for small pay and strenuous labor, I don’t see much light.”