Hetty Torrance nodded, and there was pride but no amusement in her smile; for she had a quick enthusiasm, and the reticence of Insular Britain has no great place in that country.
Still, she said; all these people coming in must make a difference.
The mans face grew grave. Yes, he said; there will have to be a change, and it is coming. We are only outwardly democratic just now, and dont seem to know that men are worth more than millionaires. We have let them get their grip on our industries, and too much of our land, until what would feed a thousand buys canvas-backs, and wines from Europe for one. Isnt what we raise in California good enough for Americans?
Miss Torrances eyes twinkled. Some of it isnt very nice, and they dont live on canvas-backs, she said. Still, it seems to me that other men have talked like that quite a thousand years ago; and, while I dont know anyone better at breaking a broncho or cutting out a steer, straightening these affairs out is too big a contract for you.
The man laughed pleasantly. Thats all right, but I can do a little in the place I belong to, and the change is beginning there. Is it good for this country that one man should get rich feeding his cattle on leagues of prairie where a hundred families could make a living growing wheat?
Now, said the girl drily, I know why you and my father havent got on. Your opinions wouldnt please him, Larry.
No, said the man, with a trace of embarrassment, I dont think they would; and thats just why weve got to convince him and the others that what we want to do is for the good of the country.
Hetty Torrance laughed. Its going to be hard. No man wants to believe anything is good when he sees it will take quite a pile of dollars out of his pocket.
The man said nothing, and Hetty fancied he was not desirous of following up the topic, while as they sat silent a big locomotive backed another great train of emigrant cars in. Then the tramp of feet commenced again, and once more a frowsy host of outcasts from the overcrowded lands poured into the depot. Wagons piled with baggage had preceded them, but many dragged their pitiful belongings along with them, and the murmur of their alien voices rang through the bustle of the station. Hetty Torrance was not unduly fanciful, but those footsteps caused her, as she afterwards remembered, a vague concern. She believed, as her father did, that America was made for the Americans; but it was evident that in a few more years every unit of those incoming legions would be a citizen of the Republic, with rights equal to those enjoyed by Torrance of Cedar Range. She had seen that as yet the constitution gave no man more than he could by his own hand obtain; but it seemed not unlikely that some, at least, of those dejected, unkempt men had struck for the rights of humanity that were denied them in the older lands with dynamite and rifle.
Then, as the first long
train of grimy cars rolled out close packed with their frowsy human freight, a train of another kind came in, and two young women in light dresses swung themselves down from the platform of a car that was sumptuous with polished woods and gilding. Miss Torrance rose as she saw them, and touched her companion.
Come along, Larry, and Ill show you two of the nicest girls you ever met, she said.
The man laughed. They would have been nicer if they hadnt come quite so soon, he said.
He followed his companion and was duly presented to Miss Flora and Miss Caroline Schuyler. Larry Grant of Fremont Ranch, said Miss Torrance. Larry is a great friend of mine.
The Misses Schuyler were pretty. Carolina, the younger, pale, blue-eyed, fair-haired and vivacious; her sister equally blonde, but a trifle quieter. Although they were gracious to him, Grant fancied that one flashed a questioning glance at the other when there was a halt in the conversation. Then, as if by tacit agreement, they left him alone a moment with their companion, and Hetty Torrance smiled as she held out her hand.
I cant keep them waiting, but youll come and see me, she said.
I am going home to-morrow, said the man. When are you coming, Hetty?
The girl smiled curiously, and there was a trace of wistfulness in her eyes. I dont quite know. Just now I fancy I may not come at all, but you will not forget me, Larry.
The man looked at her very gravely, and Hetty Torrance appeared to find something disconcerting in his gaze, for she turned her head away.
No, he said, and there was a little tremor in his voice, I dont think I shall forget you. Well, if ever you grow tired of the cities you will remember the lonely folks who are longing to have you home again back there on the prairie.
Hetty Torrance felt her fingers quiver under his grasp, but the next moment he had turned away, and her companions noticed there was a faint pink tinge in her cheeks when she rejoined them. But being wise young women, they restrained their natural inquisitiveness, and asked no questions then.
In the meanwhile Grant, who watched them until the last glimpse of their light dresses was lost in the crowd, stood beside the second emigrant train vacantly glancing at the aliens who thronged about it. His bronzed face was a trifle weary, and his lips were set, but at last he straightened his shoulders with a little resolute movement and turned away.