Only the latter noted that she paused awkwardly now and then and added a rather involved explanation.

The men were engrossed by Thirlwell's efforts to find the ore.

When she stopped they were quiet for a few moments.
Then George said: "You would never have struck the lode without that man." He turned to the others.

"Some story of a prospecting trip! What do you think ?" "I think Agatha was very lucky," Mrs.Farnam said with meaning.

"Perhaps luckier than she deserved." "Thirlwell's all right," George bluntly agreed, and then addressed Agatha: "You have often got after me about being a business man, and I'll own I don't let many chances of making a dollar pass.