"I must borrow some," Jimmy admitted, and thought Jardine studied Stannard, who talked to two or three young men not far off.
"Then, maybe ye had better borrow from Mr. Deering."
Jardine had said something like this before, but Jimmy let it go and the rancher indicated Margaret. Dillon leaned against a post opposite the girl and a group of young men and women occupied the surrounding chairs. A touch of color had come to Margaret's skin; her look was alert and happy. Jimmy had known her undertake a man's job at the ranch, but on the hotel veranda she was not at all exotic.
"I must thank ye, Mr. Leyland. Sometimes it's lonesome at the ranch," Jardine remarked.
Jimmy said he hoped his guests would stay for some days, but Jardine refused.
"At Kelshope work's aye waiting and we'll start the morn. If ye come back wi' us, we'll look ower the block ye bought, and I might advise ye aboot layin' 't oot. In the meantime, we'll reckon up the tools and stock ye'll need—"
They began to talk about the ranch, and Stannard joined Laura, who sent off her companion.
"What do you think about Jimmy's experiment?" Stannard asked.
Laura studied him. On the whole, his look was careless, but she doubted.
"I don't know. Do you think him rash?"