"What we have given is yours. We don't take it back," said Dane.
Winston smiled, though there was a wistfulness in his eyes as he saw
the faint bewilderment in his companions' faces.
"Well," he said slowly, "you can do a little for me now. Colonel
Barrington was right when he set his face against speculation, and it
was only because I saw dollars were badly needed at Silverdale, and the
one means of getting them, I made my deal. Still, if we are to succeed
as farmers we must market our wheat as cheaply as our rivals, and we
want a new bridge on the level. Now, I got a drawing of one, and
estimates for British Columbia stringers, yesterday, while the birches
in the ravine will give us what else we want. I'll build the bridge
myself, but it will cheapen the wheat-hauling to everybody, and you
might like to help me."
Dane glanced at the drawing laid before him, but Alfreton spoke first.
"One hundred dollars. I'm only a small man, but I wish it was five,"
he said.
"I'll make it that much, and see the others do their share," said Dane,
and then glanced at the broker with a curious smile.
"How does he do it--this and other things? He was never a business
man!"
Graham nodded. "He can't help it. It was born in him. You and I can
figure and plan, but Courthorne is different--the right thing comes to
him. I knew the first night I saw him, you had got the man you wanted
at Silverdale."
Then Winston stood up wineglass in hand.
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