3i8 WHEAT AND WOMAN 



But there was no sign of life within the shack. 

 I climbed the diihcult way to the sleeping apart- 

 ment. It was exactly as they had left it. I turned 

 home determined to waste no more valuable time, 

 but to hitch up the team and get on to the plough- 

 ing, whilst my sentiments of Pat searched space in 

 vain for adequate terms of expression. 



At eleven o'clock Thomas came limping across 

 the ploughed land, and he dared to come with a 

 laugh — a shamefaced smile, it was true, but it was 

 distinctly intended to show mirth. So I told him 

 he was a living disgrace to the British Empire, and 

 brought other truths to the wrong side of discretion. 

 Thomas resented my sentiments, my words, and 

 my interference, and reminded me that we were 

 in a free country. I forswore magnanimity and 

 asked him how free he had been in the free country 

 on the first day of our acquaintance. To my 

 surprise he became contrite. " But you say too 

 much," he added. " A fellow don't care to be 

 told he is a disgrace to his country." 



" And what is a Briton but a disgrace when he 

 puts in a night in jail for drunkenness ? " I said, 

 drawing my bow at a venture. 



" We wasn't the only ones. Every man round 

 town was full, and six of us was in the coop ! Mr. 

 Dennison came and bailed us out this morning. 

 Paid the fine. Pat hopes you will advance his wages 

 to repay it." 



" If it wasn't for Pat's work I wouldn't advance 

 a single dollar. Six men finish their holiday in 

 Fort Qu'Appelle jail, and all British, I suppose ! " 



" No, there was one half-breed ; and all the 

 Canadians was drunker than any of us." 



