"And you were not responsible in any case." Alton glanced at her with some bewilderment.

"No ?" he said.

"I'm sitting here with all that a man could wish for, while that girl, who was used to all the good things you have in the old country, walks round and round the city looking for something she can earn a few dollars at, when I might have fixed things differently if it hadn't been for Tom.

It's hard to feel there's a meaner man than I am in the Dominion." Miss Deringham saw the veins rise on his forehead and the glint in his eyes, and shivered a little as she hoped the man would never discover it was not the rancher who had brought the shame upon him.
"Would it have been possible for you to do anything to help them if you had reached the ranch in time ?" she said.
"Yes," said Alton simply, "I think it would.

And it would have been better for everybody in the district." Though the girl did not altogether understand him, his very quietness was impressive, for she knew by this time that what he stated was usually rather more than less the fact.
"Well," she said lightly, "it was not your fault, and you will forget it presently." Alton smiled wryly.