Ingleby understood the significance of the question. The little
conventional customs might be acquired, but the constant jarring of
opinion, and absence of comprehending sympathy or a common point of view
was, he realized, quite a different thing. Still, though there was
concern in his face, he had the hope of youth in him. There was silence
for a moment or two, and then Hetty spoke again.
"Besides," she said, "after all, aren't gold mines a little hard to
find?"
Just then Leger made his appearance, somewhat to Ingleby's relief, and
ten minutes later Hetty retired to the tent while the men, rolling
themselves in their blankets, lay down upon the cedar twigs beside the
fire. One of them, however, did not sleep as well as usual, and Leger
noticed that his sister appeared a little languid when she rose in the
morning. They were weary still, and it was afternoon when they once more
pushed on into the wilderness along the climbing trail that had for
guide-posts empty provision cans.