adequate explanation,
and he was a little surprised that she did not seem to mind displaying
her interest in George.

"Then," he said, "for another thing, he's disappointed about having to
give up an English visit he had looked forward to."

He saw a gleam that suggested comprehension in her eyes.

"You mean that he is badly disappointed?"

"Yes," said Edgar; "I really think he is."

He left her to make what she liked of this, and he imagined that there
was something to be inferred from it. He thought it might be wise to
give her a hint that George's affections were already engaged.

"Besides," he resumed, "it's no secret that the loss of his harvest hit
him pretty hard. We'll have to curtail our spring operation in several
ways and study economy."

Flora glanced toward the door of the room her father had entered with
George. Edgar thought she had done so unconsciously; but it was
somewhat suggestive, though he could not see what it implied.

"Well," she said, "I'm inclined to believe that he'll get over his
difficulties."

"So am I," Edgar agreed. "George isn't easy to defeat."

In the meanwhile Grant sat in the next room, smoking thoughtfully and
asking George rather direct questions about his farming.

"I've made some inquiries about that new wheat your English botanist
friend reported on," he said at length. "Our experimental farm people
strongly recommend it, and there's a man I wrote to who can't say
enough in its favor. You'll sow it this spring?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to stick to the common kinds," George said
gloomily. "I've a pretty big acreage to crop and that special seed is
remarkably dear."

"That's so," Grant agreed. "As a matter of fact, they haven't quite
made their arrangements for putting it on the market yet, and the
surest way to get some is to bid for a round lot. After what I'd
heard, I wired a Winnipeg agent and he has promised to send me on what
looks like more than I can use. Now I'll be glad to let you have as
much as you want for your lightest land."

George felt grateful. He did not think that this methodical man had
made any careless mistake over his order; but he hesitated.

"Thanks," he said. "Still, it doesn't get over the main difficulty."

"I guess it does. You would have had to pay money down for the seed,
and I'll be glad to let the thing stand over until you have thrashed
out. The price doesn't count; you can give me back as many bushels as
you get