In the meanwhile his new friends were discussing him in a car farther back along the train.
"I'm glad I had that Englishman by me in the crowd," the man remarked. "He's cool and kept his head, did what was needed and nothing else. I allow you owe him something for bringing you through."
"Yes," said the girl; "he was quick and resolute." Then reserving the rest of her thoughts, she added: "His friend's amusing."
"Percy? Oh, yes," agreed her father. "Nothing to notice about him—he's just one of the boys. The other's different. What that fellow takes in hand he'll go through with."
"You haven't much to form an opinion on."
"That doesn't count. I can tell if a man's to be trusted when I see him."
"You're generally right," the girl admitted. "You were about Marston.
I was rather impressed by him when he first came out."
Her father smiled.
"Just so. Marston had only one trouble—he was all on top. You saw all his good points in the first few minutes. It was rough on him that they weren't the ones that are needed in this country."
"It's a country that demands a great deal," the girl said thoughtfully.