Mowbray glanced at him with a hint of embarrassment.
"Have you any complaint against us?"
"None," said Harding coolly. "I only mentioned the matter because you did so."
He imagined that Mowbray was surprised by his reserve.
"You may be able to understand," the Colonel said, "that it's rash for an intruding stranger to set himself against local customs, not to speak of the discourtesy of the thing. When a new trail is made at Allenwood, every holder is glad to give all the land that's needed."
"Land doesn't seem to be worth as much to you as it is to me, judging from the way you work it. Every rod of mine must grow something. I don't play at farming."
Mowbray grew red in the face, but kept himself in hand.
"Do you wish to criticize our methods?" he demanded.
"I've nothing to do with your methods. It's my business to farm this section as well as it can be done. I've no wish to annoy your people; but you do not use the trail for hauling on, and I can't change my plans because they may interfere with your amusements."
"Very well," Mowbray answered coldly. "There is nothing more to be said."