Leaving their gates open, they passed each other in
silence. As soon as the war was over,consolidation was going to be an issue
throughout the ward.
Nearly the whole districtwas flax land; and plenty
of it was available. That word was just becoming the slogan ofthe hour. Thelads from
the field who had arrived followed on horseback.
Horanski, aided by one ofthe Nicoll girls, had
prepared dinner for the crew.
The fact was that Abe had begun to weigh like a
substantial shadowon the district.
When Wheeldon heard that he was in town, he hunted
him up. Which, however, nobody with eyes in his head could credit.
Incomprehensibly,a wave of fear invaded him,
aroused by the puzzled _expression_ onthe mans face. For a moment it looked as if Abe
were going to ask more questions.
Chaffand dust from many threshing fields had spread
over all this world.
Pushing his hatback from a beady brow, Stobarn
said, Dont ask me to work for youagain.
Here, Charlie, he said, for the boy had climbed to
the ground. Do youthink Id be satisfied with a measly quarter? Beyond,Bills empty
wagon barred the road. Hartley and Wheeldon did not take sides in the endless
discussions.
With him, it was a matter of personal pride that
everybodysachievement was measured by Abes.
Yet Wheeldon was beginning to have a following:
Hartley, HenryTopp, and others. No nativeirregularity, whether of soil accumulation
or plant growth, brokeits monotony. Abe made roomunder the spout by driving
ahead.
Nobody even asked how the thing had happened till
many days later. Vanbruik said when he had been called by Hilmer, hadbeen
instantaneous. He had replaced his ageing bronchos by another drivingteam, still
more magnificent.
On the trail from the yard a dust cloud was
trailing along.
Shilloes and Nawosads eldestboys had gone. Here,
Charlie, he said, for the boy had climbed to the ground. Abe looked about and seemed
to see for the first time.
He also listened more patiently to others, trying
to get theirpoint of view.
While Im single, said Henry Topp, I dont give a
tinkersdamn.
At a word from the doctor, Anderson had returned
totown to fetch Mrs. The moment awork of man was finished, nature set to work to
take it down again.