"Yes," he said, though he could not account for his candor; "I've had an experience that has rudely shaken me. After all, it's possible that one needs something of the kind now and then; and until lately I've escaped it."
"I wonder whether that's unfortunate?"
"It is, beyond a doubt. I've taken life easily, generally getting what I wanted without much trouble, and now, when I've no experience to fall back on, I'm landed in a maze of difficulties. But all this is too personal; forgive me for boring you."
"But I'm interested," she declared. She felt that he would find a way out, though it might not be the easiest one. "As you came over to Canada, I suppose you must have found the smooth life you led grow monotonous."
"Not exactly. I liked it; but I'd a feeling now and then that it might be more bracing to do something useful; make things, for instance, or even go into business."
Geraldine laughed, and it struck Andrew that she was very pretty as she looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"You're delightfully matter-of-fact. You might have hinted at a longing for high adventure or something romantic."
"The worst of adventure is that you often get a good deal more than you bargain for," said Andrew soberly.
"You learned that in the North?"
"Yes," he answered with a moody air; "that and other things. For example, I learned how money's sometimes made, and it was a shock."