"The majority was one, a casting vote," he said. "If you are referring to my plowing for some of your people, I did not persuade them. They saw the advantage of mechanical traction and asked me to bring the engine over."
"The explanation doesn't take us far. It's obvious that they couldn't have experimented without your help."
"I hardly think that's so. There are dealers in Winnipeg and Toronto who would be glad to sell them the machines. If three or four combined, they could keep an engine busy and the cost wouldn't be prohibitive."
"Our people are not mechanics," Mowbray said haughtily.
"I'm not sure that's a matter for congratulation," Harding answered with a smile. "But I never drove a steam-plow until a few weeks ago, and there seems to be no reason why your friends shouldn't learn. You don't claim that they're less intelligent than I am."
"Your talents run in this direction," Mowbray retorted with a polished sneer.
"In a way, that's fortunate. When you're farming for a profit, you want to be able to do a little of everything. Some of the Allenwood boys are pretty good horse-breakers, and you approve; why managing an engine should be objectionable isn't very plain."
"It is not my intention to argue these matters with you."
"Then what is it you want me to do?"
"To be content with using these machines on your own land. I must ask you to leave Allenwood alone."