But I say, Bradley, to hear you talk,
a fellow wouldn't suspect you were as big a Vandal as anybody, with a
beastly, howling saw-mill in the heart of the primeval forest. By Jove,
you quite bowled me over that first day we met, when you popped your
head out of that delirium tremens shaking mill, like the very genius of
destructive improvement."
"But that was FIGHTING Nature, not patronizing her; and it's a business
that pays. That reminds me that I must go back to it," said Bradley,
rising and knocking the ashes from his pipe.
"Not AFTER dinner, surely!" said Mainwaring, in surprise. "Come now,
that's too much like the bolting Yankee of the travellers' books."
"There's a heavy run to get through tonight. We're working against
time," returned Bradley. Even while speaking he had vanished within the
house, returned quickly--having replaced his dark suit by jean trousers
tucked in heavy boots, and a red flannel shirt over his starched white
one--and, nodding gayly to Mainwaring, stepped from the lower end of the
veranda. "The beggar actually looks pleased to go," said Mainwaring to
himself in wonderment.
"Oh! Jim," said Mrs. Bradley, appearing at the door.
"Yes," said Bradley, faintly, from the bushes.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55