Jim got the letters and lighting a lamp sat down in an easy-chair. The envelope with the London postmark was from Evelyn, but he would sooner read her note when he was alone. He opened another and presently looked up.
"Martin has written to me from Vancouver. The Irrigation Company has won the lawsuit and proved its claim to the water-rights. The shares are going up again, and Martin's hopeful about the future. I can sell out for face value, but he urges me to hold."
"Ah," said Carrie, "that's good news! You can trust Martin. I expect the company has straightened up because they made him a director."
"It's very possible. He sends your mother and you greetings and hopes you haven't forgotten him."
"One doesn't forget men like that," Carrie replied. "Martin's all white; clever and strong and straight. But doesn't this mean you have got over your troubles?"
"I suppose I can go ahead with the dykes," said Jim.
He was quiet afterwards and let the others talk, until Carrie got up and went away with Mrs. Winter and Jake. When the door shut Dick looked up.
"Has Evelyn written to you?"
"Yes," said Jim. "I haven't read her note yet."
"I don't know if that is strange or not, but perhaps you had better read it. I expect it will clear the ground for me and I have something to say."