Stephen."

He changed the subject; and when some of the others came up and joined
them, he resumed his humorous manner.

"I'm not asking for sympathy," he said, in answer to one remark. "I'm
going out to extend the bounds of the empire, strengthen the ties with
the mother country, and that sort of thing. It's one of the privileges
that seem to be attached to the possession of a temperament like mine."

"How will you set about the work?" somebody asked.

"With the plow and the land-packer," George broke in. "He'll have the
satisfaction of driving them twelve hours a day. It happens to be the
most effective way of doing the things he mentions."

Edgar's laughter followed him as he left the group.

After dinner that evening Herbert invited George into the library.

"Parker has come over about my lease, and his visit will save you a
journey," he explained. "We may as well get things settled now while
he's here."

George went with him to the library, where the lawyer sat at a
writing-table. He waited in silence while Herbert gave the lawyer a
few instructions. A faint draught flowed in through an open window,
and gently stirred the litter of papers; a shaded lamp stood on the
table, and its light revealed the faces of the two men near it with
sharp distinctness, though outside the circle of brightness the big