"At Allenwood, it's a view that agrees with Mowbray's."
"Let's be serious," Kenwyne replied. "There's something to be said for his contention, after all. We have got along pretty well so far."
"Yes; but the settlement has never been self-supporting. Mowbray got the land for nothing and sold it in parcels, as he was entitled to do, spending part of the price on improvements from which we all benefit. Then a number of the boys got drafts from home when they lost a crop. We have been living on capital instead of on revenue; but the time is coming when this must stop. Our people at home can't keep on financing us, and the land is nearly all taken up."
"Well, what follows?"
"Allenwood will shortly have to earn its living," Broadwood answered, laughing. "This will be a shock to some of our friends, but even with wheat going down the thing shouldn't prove insuperably difficult."
"We may have wheat at less than a dollar. Look at the quantity of good land that's available, and the character of the men who're coming in. They'll live on revenue, in dug-outs and fifty-dollar shacks, and all they don't spend on food will go into new teams and implements. They don't expect an easy time, and won't get it, but we'll have to meet their competition. Personally, I don't think that's impossible. I believe we're their equals in brain and muscle."
"We used to think we were superior," Broadwood smiled. "Our conservative sentiments will be our greatest difficulty."
"I'm afraid we'll have to get rid of them."
"Mowbray will never throw his traditions overboard."
"No. I see trouble ahead," said Kenwyne.