Can you imagine, for instance, what two years on a prairie farm must have been to a delicate, fastidious girl, brought up in luxury ?" "I've an idea that Sylvia would manage to avoid a good many of the hardships." "Sylvia would never shirk a duty," George declared firmly.
Edgar refilled his pipe.
"I've been thinking about Dick Marston," he said.

"After the way he was generally regarded at home, it was strange to hear that Canadian's opinions; but I've a notion that this country's a pretty severe touchstone.

I mean that the sort of qualities that make one popular in England may not prove of much use here." "Dick lost his crop; that accounts for a good deal," George said shortly.
Edgar, knowing how staunch he was to his friends, changed the subject; and when the light grew dim they went back to the hotel.

Breakfasting soon after six the next morning, they took their places in a light, four-wheeled vehicle, for which three persons' baggage made a rather heavy load, and drove away with the hired man.

The grass was wet with dew, the air invigoratingly cool, and for a time the fresh team carried them across the waste at an excellent pace.