HARVEST OF MY FIRST SEEDING 225 



the seed-beds of 1907 for a few hours every day 

 with Nancy and Dick supporting big Kitty on either 

 side, Tommy and Jim having gone on with Roddy 

 McMahon to complete the fulfilment of my 

 threshing obligation to my neighbours. 



Among the men on the threshing gang there was 

 one to whom my attention had been especially 

 drawn. He was obviously a newcomer and my 

 fellow countryman. It was about three o'clock 

 of the last afternoon when he came into the cottage. 

 The waterman's part is a very cold although not 

 strenuous one. I asked him if he wouldn't go and 

 warm up at the kitchen stove. 



" Didn't the fireman ask you to keep my dinner 

 hot ? " he inquired anxiously. 



" Dinner hot ? " I repeated, with a glance at the 

 clock. " But didn't you come in with the others ? " 

 " The boss told me to go along and get the tank 

 filled just as they were coming in, so that there 

 might be no risk of a wait. I had some trouble in 

 getting it, and the fireman said he wouldn't 

 forget to tell you." 



The semi-cold remains of the worn-down joint 

 offered little consolation, and Mabel Mazey could 

 not return for at least an hour from the Fort 

 with the beefsteak which she had promised to 

 bring me for supper. In deep contrition I turned 

 out of my special store three eggs, the remains of a 

 pot of anchovy paste, a cherished pot of strawberry 

 jam and an apple turnover. 



The boy was ever so grateful and said that the 

 apple turnover was the nicest thing he had eaten 

 in Canada, and told me of his home, his plans, and 

 his experiences since arrival. 



p 



