Vane smiled.
"I've no doubt that their interests will be as safe in Nairn's hands as in mine. What I stand to risk is the not getting my personal ideas carried out, which is a different matter, though I'll own that it wouldn't please me if they were overruled."
"I fail to see why ye could no have let the whole thing stand over until the spring," grunted Nairn. "The spruce will no run away."
"I'd have done so, had it been a few years earlier, but the whole country is overrun with mineral prospectors and timber righters now. Every month's delay gives somebody else a chance for getting in ahead of me."
"Weel," responded Nairn resignedly, "I can only wish ye luck; but, should ye be detained up yonder, if one of ye could sail across to Comox to see if there's any mail there it would be wise to do so." He waved his hand. "No more of that; we'll consider what tactics I had better adopt in case of delay."
An hour had passed before they went down to join the guests who were arriving for the evening meal. As a rule, the western business man, who is more or less engrossed in his occupation except when he is asleep, enjoys little privacy; and Nairn's friends sometimes compared his dwelling to the rotunda of a hotel. The point of this was that people of all descriptions who have nothing better to do are addicted to strolling into the combined bazaar and lounge which is attached to many Canadian hostelries.
Vane was placed next to Evelyn at the table; but after a quiet reply to his first observation she turned and talked to the man at her other side. As the latter, who was elderly and dull, had only two topics—the most efficient means of desiccating fruit and the lack of railroad facilities—Vane was somewhat astonished that she appeared interested in his conversation, and by and by he tried again. He was not more successful this time, and his face grew warm as he realized that Evelyn was not inclined to talk to him. Being a very ordinary mortal and not particularly patient, he was sensible of some indignation, which was not diminished when, on looking around, Jessy Horsfield favored him with a compassionate smile. However, he took his part in the general conversation; and the meal was over and the guests were scattered about the adjoining rooms when, after impatiently waiting for the opportunity, he at last found Evelyn alone. She was standing with one hand on a table, looking rather thoughtful.
"I've come to ask what I've done?"
Evelyn was not prepared for this blunt directness and she felt a little disconcerted, but she broke into a chilly smile.
"The question's rather indefinite, isn't it? Do you expect me to be acquainted with all your recent actions?"