Allott chuckled.  “The combine does not pay big dividends.  It’s a grievance of the shareholders’.”

“Oh, well; Sir James was knighted, and I hear about another director building a hospital.  One doesn’t get honors for nothing.  They’re expensive.”

“Jim,” said Allott reproachfully, “you’re talking like your father, and while airing one’s views may be harmless, trying to live up to them doesn’t always pay.  Taking that line cost him much; I thought you wiser.”

Thirlwell colored.  “My father was an honest man.  If I can live as he did, I shall be satisfied.”

“Well, for some reason, Sir James is keen about bringing you back, and if you state the terms on which you’ll come, I imagine he’ll agree.  This should make things easier, and I believe he’ll be responsible if you pay your employers a fine to let you off.”

Thirlwell was silent and looked out of the window.  The hum of traffic came up from the dark gaps between the buildings and he heard a locomotive bell and the clash of freight-cars by the wharf.  Then the hoot of a deep whistle rang across the town, and red and white flashes pierced the darkness down the river.  A big liner, signaling her tug, was coming up stream, and presently her long hull was marked by lights that rose in tiers above the water.  He watched her as she swung in to the wharf with her load of cheering immigrants.

It reminded him of his landing in Canada, and he looked back upon the disappointments and hardships he had borne in the country.  He had soon found there was no easy road to wealth, and life had so far been an arduous struggle.  He had known poverty, hunger, and stinging cold, and now his pay left little over when he had satisfied his frugal needs.  All would be different if he went back to England, and he pondered over Allott’s specious arguments.  There was no reason he should not take the offered post if he could do so on his terms, and it was possible that his employers would release him.  He was thirty years of age, had long practised self-denial, and would soon get old.  Why should he not enjoy some prosperity before it was too late?  Allott had said enough, but did not know this and had not finished yet.

“There’s another matter, Jim,” he resumed.  “You can’t think about marrying while you stay in the bush.”

“I don’t know that I want to marry.  I couldn’t support a wife.”

“Why not, if you chose a wife with money?”

“Then she’d have to support me.  Besides, I expect it would be hard to find a rich girl willing to marry a poor engineer.”

Allott made a sign of impatience.  “Let’s be frank!  The matter’s delicate, and perhaps requires a lighter touch than mine, but I understand that Helen has given you a hint.”

“She has,” said Thirlwell, with some grimness.  “I hoped you’d both let the thing go when she saw my attitude.”

“We’ll let it go after the next few minutes, if you like, but there is something to be said.  Evelyn is an attractive girl, and has some money; besides which, Sir James would approve her marrying you.  He has hinted that he’ll give you a chance of making your mark in England if he is satisfied.  Evelyn’s relations know this, and it was significant that they agreed when Helen invited her to join us.  As the girl consented, I might perhaps go farther—­”