"I'm afraid it will be a shock, Martha," Graham broke in; "he means to tell you that I am going north to look for the lode with him."
The woman did not flinch. She looked at her husband gravely, with no sign of reproach; and Andrew saw that she had courage.
"I have expected this; I knew it must come sooner or later," she said quietly. "But go on, Mr. Allinson; I will listen."
Andrew felt relieved. She would give no trouble, but her tense expression caused him a sense of guilt. He explained the arrangements he had made and handed her two or three documents, which included an order on a bank for certain payments to be made her if the expedition did not return by a specified date.
Mrs. Graham took the papers with a gesture of repugnance, but a moment later she looked up quietly.
"It's fair; it's generous, Mr. Allinson. I am getting old and my daughter is very young." Then her lips quivered and she broke into a pitiful smile. "You have done what you can, but it doesn't cover the greatest risk I run."
"I know," responded Andrew gently; "I am asking a great deal from you."
"Well," she said, "for his sake, perhaps for my sake, I must try to let him go." She paused for a moment and then asked with an effort: "When do you start?"
"As soon as we can." Andrew felt that it would be tactful to take his leave. "But I have a letter I must mail."
"Come back, please," she said. "Supper will be ready in about ten minutes."