"Couldn't be helped." "And where have you been since ?" "In Nevada, George--Comstock--silver-mining.

Rough lot, but you get a stroke of luck sometimes.

I've got a chance on now--me and a friend of mine--that's first-rate." "What brought you back to Canada ?" "Well, it was your aunt, Mrs.Harriet Sykes.

Ever hear of her, George ?" Anderson shook his head.
"You must have heard of her when you were a little chap.

When I left Ayrshire in 1840 she was a lass of sixteen; never saw her since.