Harold Edward Bindloss

“ His companion left him shortly afterward, and it was some days later when the subject was reopened. Then Grenfell came to him with a rueful face.
"I've had an interview with the manager," he explained.
"Well," said Weston, sharply, "what did he say?"
Grenfell shrugged his shoulder.
"Told me to get out of camp right away."
Just then Colvin approached them, and his manner was for once slightly deprecatory.
"It doesn't pay to know more than the boss," he said; and then he looked at Weston. "He has to get out. What are you going to do?" ”

“ Weston's gesture might have expressed anything. He naturally had been favored with hints of this kind while he followed other somewhat similar occupations, for it is not an uncommon thing for the men who toil with the drill and shovel to feel more or less convinced that those set over them are not going about the work in the right way. He had also more than once seen this belief proved warranted. His companion's suggestions, however, were borne out when he sat smoking with Grenfell in the bush after supper. ”

“ The distressful stitch also was coming back into his side, and once or twice his companion cast an expostulating glance at him.
"You want to speed up," he said. "Guess that boss of ours knows just how much the most is that a man can drill, and he has to do it or get out."
Though it cost him an effort, Weston contrived to keep his companion going until the dinner hour arrived, and he found the work a little easier when he had eaten. Still, he was perplexed about Grenfell, who did not understand what arrangement he had arrived at with the mine captain. ”

“ He laughed softly. "Well, they're throwing away most of their money."
"You're sure?" inquired Weston.
"Am I sure!" expostulated his comrade. "I need only point out that I ought to be."
"Then," said Weston, reflectively, "unless they ask your opinion, which isn't very probable, I'd say nothing about it. Some people don't take kindly to being told they're wrong. The thing doesn't affect you, anyway."
He was a little astonished at the change in his companion, for a sparkle crept into Grenfell's watery eyes, and his voice grew sharper.
"You haven't the miner's or the engineer's instinct ”

“ It was very terse, but it informed him that Miss Stirling and her friends purposed camping among the islands of one of the eastern lakes, which was then a rather favorite means of relaxation with the inhabitants of Toronto and Montreal. Stirling desired him to accompany the party, on terms which appeared very satisfactory, and added that if he were acquainted with another man likely to make an efficient camp attendant he could bring him along.
Weston started a little when he reached the last suggestion, for he fancied that it was Miss Stirling who had made it. ”