Time had been when Mrs.
Wickersham had been content with small health-resorts.

But that time was past.

He did not tell General Keith that Mrs.Wickersham, remembering the fight between her son and Gordon, had consented to his buying the place from a not very noble motive, and vowed that she would never set her foot on it so long as a Keith remained there.

He only assured the General that he would convey his invitation.
Mr.Wickersham's real interest, however, lay in the mountains to the westward.

And General Keith gave him some valuable hints as to the deposits lying in the Ridge and the mountains beyond the Ridge.
"I will give you letters to the leading men in that region," he said.
"The two most influential men up there are Dr.Balsam and Squire Rawson.
They have, like Abraham and Lot, about divided up the country." Mr.Wickersham's eyes glistened.