“It must be a great country out there, though,” said Harry, “and what a row they are making over Confederation.”
“What do you mean, Harry?” said Mrs. Murray. “We hear so little in the country.”
“Well, I don't know exactly, but those fellows in British Columbia are making all sorts of threats that unless this railway is built forthwith they will back out of the Dominion, and some of them talk of annexation with the United States. Don't I wish I was there! What a lucky fellow Ranald is. Thorp says he's a big gun already. No end of a swell. Of course, as manager of a big concern like the British-American Coal and Lumber Company, he is a man of some importance.”
“I don't think he is taking much to do with public questions,” said Kate, “though he did make a speech at New Westminster not long ago. He has been up in those terrible woods almost ever since he went.”
“Hello, how do you know?” said Harry, looking at her suspiciously; “I get a fragment of a note from Ranald now and then, but he is altogether too busy to remember humble people.”
“I hear regularly from Coley. You remember Coley, don't you?” said Kate, turning to Mrs. Murray.
“Oh, yes, that's the lad in whom Ranald was so interested in the Institute.”
“Yes,” replied Kate; “Coley begged and prayed to go with Ranald, and so he went.”
“She omits to state,” said Harry, “that she also 'begged and prayed' and further that she outfitted the young rascal, though I've reason to thank Providence for removing him to another sphere.”
“How does it affect you?” said Mrs. Murray.