“What do you suppose Major Hampton can want with all those logs?” asked Grant.
“Let us make a morning call on the Major,” suggested Roderick.
“Right you are,” assented Grant.
The Major extended his usual hearty welcome. He had evidently been busy at his writing table.
“We came down,” said Grant, “to get a job cutting wood.”
The Major looked out of the window at the great stack of logs and smiled. “No, young gentlemen,” he said, “those logs are not for firewood but to build an addition to my humble home. You see, I have a small kitchen curtained off in the rear, and back of that I intend putting in an extra room. I expect to have ample use for this additional accommodation, but just at this time perhaps will not explain its purposes. Won’t you be seated?”
They pulled up chairs before the fire, which was smouldering low, for in the moderated condition of the weather a larger fire was not needed.
“Only for a moment, Major. We do not wish to take you from your work, whatever it may be. I will confess,” Grant went on, smiling, “that we were curious to know about the logs, and decided we would look in on you and satisfy our curiosity; and then, too, we have the pleasure of saying hello.”
“Very kind of you, very kind, I am sure,” responded the Major; and turning to Roderick he inquired when he expected to return to the Shields ranch.
“I am going out this afternoon,” replied Roderick. “By the way, Major, do you expect to be at the Shields’ entertainment?”