But however rough or illiterate this girl may be, I think she has a soul, a longing for something she does not possess," went on Mary, who was weaving fancies and theories together in quite a remarkable fashion for her.
"Most women long for what they don't possess, and some men do the same," replied Mr.Selincourt, laughing a little.

Then he rose and stretched himself, saying: "I believe I will go to bed, for I am so tired that I can hardly keep my eyes open.

It is so late that Jervis Ferrars will hardly come to-night now, although I should have been glad to see him, for I am really anxious to know how the fishing is going." "Well, you won't have to wait long, for here he comes, I fancy--although it seems funny that I should remember his step after so many months," said Mary, as a firm tread sounded on the path coming up through the bushes from the water's edge.
"Is that you, Ferrars ?" asked Mr.Selincourt eagerly, his sleepiness vanishing as if by magic.
"Yes, sir," responded a voice, and the next moment Jervis Ferrars appeared in sight.
"I'm sorry that I was not on hand to welcome you when you arrived," he said.
"No matter, no matter at all!" exclaimed Mr.Selincourt, shaking hands with him; but Mary only vouchsafed a nod in response to the young man's courteous salutation.
"My welcome is only a little belated, but it could not be more sincere.

You have come just at the right time, I think," Jervis went on; and at the suggestion of Mr.Selincourt the two sat down on the bench side by side, while Mary remained leaning against the doorpost as before.
"How is the fishing ?" asked Mr.Selincourt.
"It is going very well indeed, and you will get a very good return for your money this year, and a much better one next season.

I have been away on Akimiski all day, and I have been simply amazed at the amount of fish which could be caught, cured, and marketed if only we had the necessary plant." "What sort of fish?
Everyone is saying that Hudson Bay is played out for seal and walrus, while whales are getting scarcer every year," said Mr.Selincourt, who had bought out the old company cheaply because of this growing scarcity.
"That may be," replied Jervis, "although, being a stranger to these waters, I'm not in a position to give a reliable opinion.