The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer work, and Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed.
She had, with his guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, half-braced bridge, fired a heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray trout from his canoe.

Although Lister used some reserve, their friendship ripened, and when she left she hinted she had some power she might be willing to use on his behalf.
All the same, Lister was proud.

The girl belonged to a circle he could not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his merits.

He was not the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a woman's influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing.

He let it go, and tried to concentrate on his calculations.
By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him his berth was fixed and the passengers were going to bed.