"Then I'll tell her right away." Alec laughed a whole-hearted, care-free laugh. "I'll ask her for a stake, and then for Leaping Horse. Maybe Seattle, and 'Frisco—New York! Murray, if you've done this for me, I'm your slave for life. Say, I'd come near washing your clothes for you, and I can't think of a thing lower. You'll back me when I put it to her?"
"There's no need. She'll do just as you say."
Murray's moment of serious regard had passed. He was smiling his inscrutable smile again.
"When? When?"
The eagerness of it. It was almost tragic.
"Best go down with me," Murray said. "I'm making Leaping Horse early this fall on the winter trail. I'm needing stocks. I'm needing arms and stuff. How'd that fix you?"
"Bully!" Then the boy laughed out of the joy of his heart. "But fix it early. Fix it good and early."
The exclamation came in such a tone that pity seemed the only emotion for it to inspire.
But Murray had finished. Whatever he felt there was no display of any emotion in him. And pity the least of all. He crossed to the door which opened into the kitchen. He opened it. In response to his call Ailsa Mowbray appeared, followed by Jessie.
Murray indicated Alec with a nod.