Melting snow covered the little wharf, and the wet slickers of the men who pulled about the ropes reflected the steamer’s lights. In the background, the hotel windows shone against the woods and Bob made for the door. To cross the slippery logs hurt, but to find he could walk was some relief. When he hit the stanchion he had got a nasty knock.
The floor of the hotel dining-room was wet and torn by spiked boots. A trestle table was pushed back to the wall, and the hard wooden chairs by the stove were occupied. The occupants were settlers from Helensville and waited for goods they expected the Maud to bring. One or two gave Bob a nod and others touched their neighbors, but, for the most part, he thought their looks antagonistic. Although his face was pinched and he moved slackly, nobody got
