"But you think, for women, the life up here--in the Northwest--is too hard."
She looked at him timidly.
"That's because I look at it from my English point of view. I am afraid English life makes weaklings of us."
"No--not of you!" he said, almost scornfully. "Any life that seemed to you worth while would find you strong enough for it. I am sure of that."
Elizabeth smiled and shrugged her shoulders. He went on--almost as though pleading with her.
"And as to our Western life--which you will soon have left so far behind--it strains and tests the women--true--but it rewards them. They have a great place among us. It is like the women of the early races. We listen to them in the house, and on the land; we depend on them indoors and out; their husbands and their sons worship them!"
Elizabeth flushed involuntarily; but she met him gaily.
"In England too! Come and see!"
"I shall probably be in England next spring."
Elizabeth made a sudden movement.