Chapter 3
General attitude was that the Wordens were mildly touched. Some of the younger villagers admired them, but most reflected the comfortable mental sloth of the plains villagers. It was as oppressive a feeling here, where men hunted and climbed the mountains for wood, as in the middle of the plain.
The men of Waterton led them to the store, and one went importantly behind the counter. “If you wish to seek for gold — we can be of little help there. Who knows what gold looks like in the ore?”
None did, but there was a good deal of advice tendered as to the washing of gold, which was an occasional pastime. They were instructed to buy a plastic household pan, quite shallow — Janinda bought two, they were very cheap — and in a babble of voices they were told how to use it.
“You will
