"You've finished there, then!"
"Practically. I may go down in the autumn to look it over once more."
"Is Cardross going to put in the Schwarzwald pigs?"
"Yes; they're ordered."
"Portlaw wants some here. I'd give ten dollars, poor as I am, if I could get Portlaw out in the snow and fully occupied with an irritated boar."
"Under such circumstances one goes up a tree?" inquired Hamil, smiling.
"One does if one is not too fat and can shed snowshoes fast enough. Otherwise one keeps on shooting one's 45-70. By the way, you were in New York for a day or two. How's the market?"
"Sagging."
"Money?"
"Scarce. I saw Mr. Cardross and Acton Carrick. Nobody seems enthusiastic over the prospect. While there are no loans being called there are few being made. I heard rumours of course; a number of banks and trust companies are getting themselves whispered about. Outside of that I don't know, Malcourt, because I haven't much money and what I have is on deposit with the Shoshone Securities Company pending a chance for some safe and attractive investment."