f the
future and not make the same mistake. You are first with me, Helen,
but I must work; it's all I'm fit for. I can't play games and am not an
amusing talker--though I'm talking at large to-night. Well, we have made
our home on the prairie, and all round us the best wheat-soil in the
world is lying waste. They're getting short of food in Europe, America
will soon use all she grows, and folks in the older countries fix their
eyes on us. Then we have room for an industrious population on our wide
plains, cities are waiting to spring up, a new nation is being born.
I and the others who were given the land must clear the way. It's our
business, our only justification for being there. Sounds romantic and
exaggerated, but I think it's true!"

"It is true," said Helen. "Your views are larger than mine."

"Well," said Festing, smiling. "I don't often let myself go and look
far ahead. It's my share to tackle the job before my eyes; to drive
the tractor plow, and the grading scoop along the road reserve. For all
that, it's not a vague sense of duty that really drives me on; I must
work, I'm unhappy when I stop! I'm afraid I'll always feel like that.
what are we going to do about it?"

"You must let me help more."

"I need help; that's something I have learned, and nobody can help like
you. But the strain will slacken soon. The things that will make life
easier for you are coming fast; branch railroads, telephones, busy
little towns, neighbors, and social amusements. Much that you enjoyed in
England will surround you on the plains. But it will not come as a gift,
as it did at home; we will have worked for and made it possible."

Helen got up. Her color was higher than usual and her eyes sparkled. She
was romantic and Festing had struck the right note, with rude sincerity
and unconscious power. She saw visions of the future and the dignity of
the immediate task. In this wide, new country, man needed woman's help,
and her part was as large as his. Like Sadie, and many another, she
heard the call for Pioneers. Crossing the door she stood by Festing's
bunk.

"I understand it all, Stephen. We must be patient and allow for small
differences in our points of view, for I think, in the main, we see
together. You must never leave me out again; I want to do my part."

Festing said nothing, but he pressed her hand and she kissed him.

CHAPTER XXXI

CHARNOCK'S TRIUMPH

Six weeks after the accident Musgrave and Charnock came