"Any kind of gear's worth taking care of."

"That's true," agreed the other. "A verra praise-worthy sentiment, if
ye practice it. But I wouldna' say ye were a Scot."

"In a sense, I'm a Canadian, but from what I've seen of the Ontario
Scots the difference isn't very marked. Anyhow, they don't buy new
material until the old's worn out."

The man chuckled, but Foster thought the girl looked interested.

"Then you come from Canada," she said. "Do you know any of the Ontario
cities?"

"I have been in Toronto, but I know the small towns near the Manitoba
border best. In fact, I left an ambitious place called Gardner's
Crossing about fourteen days ago."

From the quick glance she gave him he imagined that she had heard of
the town, but she said, "I have some friends in Ontario and understand
that they have had what they call a set-back there. Did this extend to
the neighborhood you came from?"

Foster told her something about the development of the lumber trade and
mining, but although he had hardly expected her to be interested he
thought she was, and the old man's shrewd remarks helped the
conversation along.

"Isn't the Crossing where the big factory is? I forget the name of
it," she asked by and by.