A silence fell. The realities came back to Lafond's mind.
"I would ask you a favor," he said abruptly.
"Name it; it is yours."
"I want you to teach me how to make an assay."
"It would be a pleasure. I will do it gladly."
"Is it difficult?"
"Not very."
"When shall we begin?"
"When you say."
Lafond reflected. "Well, I will bring some ore in a day or two." Then, after a pause, as though in deference to the attitude he knew the old man held in regard to such things, he added, "It must be very interesting, this making of gold from the rock."