When Mr.
Selincourt hired men and boats at Temiskaming, he hired them for the whole summer, and planned their work to suit his own convenience.

There were two men to each boat, and after the first journey with luggage-laden boats the men found that they could manage the journey each way in a little over a fortnight.

So two pairs of them were always en route, while the third pair rested and did housework at the hut at Roaring Water Portage, taking their departure with mails when another pair of their companions returned from the lake.
When Mrs.Burton was troubled about anything it was sure to come out sooner or later, and one night during that week of bustle and hard work she spoke of the matter that was on her mind.

The sisters were brushing their hair before going to bed.

Somehow hair-brushing lends itself to confidential talk, especially when, as in this case, awkward things have to be put into speech, because a veil of hair will hide a good many emotions.
"Do you know, I believe that Mary cares for Mr.Ferrars," Mrs.
Burton blurted out, with considerable nervous trepidation, turning her back on Katherine, and wielding her brush as if her life depended on her accomplishing a given number of strokes per minute.
"What put such an idea into your head, you delightful old matchmaker ?" demanded Katherine, with a ripple of amused laughter, while her brush went slower as she waited for the answer.
"A good many things," Mrs.Burton said, warming to her subject, and feeling relieved already by the careless ease of Katherine's manner.