In three sentences Paul told her. Five years and a half he had lived with his stepmother’s people in the far north. His stepmother had died on the way out, leaving her children at a Mission School. He had herded cattle near Edmonton for the last six months and was on his way to Vancouver now, to learn to be an engineer. That was all. Somehow Adelina’s face shone as with a light of glad relief. Paul had come back to her as free of heart as he had gone.
“Vancouver? Oh, bully!” she cried. “I know lots of people in Vancouver. Do you know anyone? No! Then I’ll give you introductions to some swell people. They are Asa’s friends.”
“I shan’t have time for many friends. I must work,” said Paul.
“Oh, shucks!” cried Adelina. “Every fellow needs friends to get on.”
Paul set a grim mouth. “I shall get on,” he said.
Adelina’s eyes showed their admiration, but her words scorned him for his independence.
“Get every friend you can and use him all you can, that’s my theory. Why shouldn’t I? I’m ready to help my friends,” said this worldly wise young lady. “By the way, have you heard anything of the Pelhams? Of Peg?”
“No,” said Paul, looking away across the valley. “They are in England, I hear.”
“Yes, have been for a year. Before that Peg was in school in England for years and years. She is awfully pretty, no end of a swell, and engaged to be married.”
In spite of all his self-control Paul’s hands tightened on his reins so that his horse came to a full stop.