Benton. What he says goes."

This struck George as significant--it was only a man of importance
whose instructions would be treated with so much deference. Then the
agent turned to Edgar.

"What do you think of this country?"

"The country's very nice. So far as I've seen them, I can't say as
much for the towns; they might be prettier."

"Might be prettier?" exclaimed the agent. "If they're not good enough
for you, why did you come here?"

"I'm not sure it was a very judicious move. But, you see, I didn't
know what the place was like; and, after all, an experience of this
kind is supposed to be bracing."

The agent ignored Edgar after this. He talked to George, and elicited
the information that the latter meant to farm. Then he got up,
followed by two of the others, and the remaining man with the English
appearance turned to George diffidently.

"Do you happen to want a teamster?" he asked.

"I believe I'll want two," was the answer. "But I'm afraid I'll have
to hire Canadians."

The man's face fell. He looked anxious, and George remembered having
seen a careworn woman tearfully embracing him before their steamer