should make things easier, and I believe he'll be responsible if you pay
your employers a fine to let you off."

Thirlwell was silent and looked out of the window. The hum of traffic
came up from the dark gaps between the buildings and he heard a
locomotive bell and the clash of freight-cars by the wharf. Then the
hoot of a deep whistle rang across the town, and red and white flashes
pierced the darkness down the river. A big liner, signaling her tug, was
coming up stream, and presently her long hull was marked by lights that
rose in tiers above the water. He watched her as she swung in to the
wharf with her load of cheering immigrants.

It reminded him of his landing in Canada, and he looked back upon the
disappointments and hardships he had borne in the country. He had soon
found there was no easy road to wealth, and life had so far been an
arduous struggle. He had known poverty, hunger, and stinging cold, and
now his pay left little over when he had satisfied his frugal needs. All
would be different if he went back to England, and he pondered over
Allott's specious arguments. There was no reason he should not take the
offered post if he could do so on his terms, and it was possible that
his employers would release him. He was thirty years of age, had long
practised self-denial, and would soon get old. Why should he not enjoy
some prosperity before it was too late? Allott had said enough, but did
not know this and had not finished yet.

"There's another matter, Jim," he resumed. "You can't think about
marrying while you stay in the bush."

"I don't know that I want to marry. I couldn't support a wife."

"Why not, if you chose a wife with money?"

"Then she'd have to support me. Besides, I expect it would be hard to
find a rich girl willing to marry a poor engineer."

Allott made a sign of impatience. "Let's be frank! The matter's
delicate, and perhaps requires a lighter touch than mine, but I
understand that Helen has given you a hint."

"She has," said Thirlwell, with some grimness. "I hoped you'd both let
the thing go when she saw my attitude."

"We'll let it go after the next few minutes, if you like, but there is
something to be said. Evelyn is an attractive girl, and has some money;
besides which, Sir James would approve her marrying you. He has hinted
that he'll give you a chance of making your mark in England if he is
satisfied. Evelyn's relations know this, and it was significant that
they agreed wh