Carrie thought Bernard had something of the spirit of the pioneers;
this was why he was like Jim. She felt his strength and tenacity, but
he did not daunt her.

"Why did you make Dryholm so big?" she asked.

"You don't think an old man needs so large a house?" he said. "Well, I
built for others whom I thought might come after me, but that is done
with." He paused and looked down the table at Mordaunt and Evelyn; and
then Carrie imagined his eyes rested on Jim, as he added: "Sometimes I
am lonely."

He began to talk to Mrs. Winter, who presently remarked: "Oh, yes, I
like it in England. I knew it would be fierce in the jolting cars and
on the steamer, but Jim insisted, and now I'm glad I let him persuade
me."

"Then Jim insisted on your coming?"

"Why, yes. I meant to stay at home."

"Ah," said Bernard, "I think Jim took the proper line."

"Anyhow, I needed a holiday," Mrs. Winter resumed. "It's quiet and
calm at Langrigg and I've worked hard. You folks don't get busy all
the time, like us in Canada."

Bernard laughed. "There are a large number of busy people in this
country, and for a long time I, myself, worked rather hard." He paused
and looked down the table with ironical humor. "I was thought
eccentric and my relations did not altogether forgive me until I got my
reward. All approved then."

Mordaunt's face was inscrutable, but Mrs. Halliday smiled and Evelyn
looked at Jim with faint amusement.

"I imagine he meant mother; they sometimes clash," she said. "You
don't know Bernard yet. When you do, you will try to make allowances,
like the rest of us."

"In the meantime, it does not seem needful. He is kind----"

"Remarkably kind," Evelyn agreed. "In fact, his kindness is puzzling.
How far would you go to keep his favor?"

"It would depend," said Jim. "Upon how much I liked him, for one
thing. Of course, I would go no distance if he tried to drive."

Evelyn smiled. "Well, I suppose you can take a bold line. If one has
pluck, it sometimes pays. At all events, it's flattering to feel one
can be oneself. No doubt, you all develop your individuality in
Canada."

"We are rather an independent, obstinate lot," Jim owned. "I expect
this comes from living in a new country. When you leave the cities,
you have nobody to fall back on. You have got to make good by your own
powers and trust yourself."

"Ah," said Evelyn, "one would like to trust oneself! To follow one's
bent, or perha