Account books, maps and documents covered the table under the lamp at the ranch. But for the rain that beat the windows all was quiet in the big room, and Bob, in an easy-chair, rested his head on his bent arm. His pose was slack and his look was tired. Helen and Mrs. Duff occupied a couch. Duff at the table, studied a document.
The furniture was dull hardwood. The walls were plain cedar and one saw the roof-beams. Two or three black-bear skins emphasized the spaciousness of the floor and the great rough-stone fireplace was like the fireplace at an old baronial hall. In the cavernous hollow heaped cordwood snapped.
For the most part, Helen had left the room alone. The decorations one used in England would jar in a room like that, and she approved its rude austerity. At the ranch all was
