The tea was strong, and acrid with the sting of the wood smoke, but there was no avoiding another cupful, and Deringham drank determinedly, while his daughter felt that she had made full atonement when she set her cup down half empty.  Then Alton, who explained that he had something to attend to, went away, and Seaforth smiled at the girl when Deringham went in for another cigar.

“I wonder if one might venture to congratulate you on your resolution?” he said.

“If I knew exactly what you meant I could answer more readily,” said Alice Deringham.

“Well,” said Seaforth reflectively, “I fancy you do, and, if it’s any comfort to you, I think Harry does too.  He is considerably less of a fool than folks who do not understand this country might suppose him to be; but the point is, that if he can prevent it you will not suffer an infliction of this kind again.”

“I wonder why you thought it worth while to tell me,” said Alice Deringham.  “Have I admitted that it was an affliction, or do you suppose I am very frightened of a little indifferent tea?”

Seaforth laughed.  “I can’t fancy you so fond of it as the cook seems to conclude, and I don’t think indifferent was exactly the word.  A stronger one would have been appropriate.  Still, though I am not sure that you will understand me, I told you because I felt it was due to Harry.  You see, his attitude was really the correct one, and taking him all round I am rather proud of him.”

“Hasn’t that an appearance of unnecessary patronage?” asked Miss Deringham, who was slightly nettled.

Seaforth nodded.  “It has,” he said.  “Only that the feeling is shared by everybody in this district, it would be sheer presumption.  Good wine, you know, needs no bush.”

He went away because he had a suspicion that Alton would be wanting him, which was borne out when he found his comrade saddling a horse.

“Where are you going, Harry?  We are not half way through with the sawlogs,” he said.

“No,” said Alton dryly.  “Still, if you work hard enough, you and Tom should get them into the water before it’s dark to-night.  I’m going right down to Horton’s.”

Seaforth laughed.  “I thought you would.  Horton has, however, as much taste in china as the average mule.  Don’t leave it to him.”

“How did you guess that?” and Alton stared at him.

“That,” said Seaforth, “was delightfully simple.  It is a little more difficult to decide what Miss Deringham, who is a quick-witted young woman, did with the tea.  As you are quite aware, she did not drink it.  Still, that is not the question.  I’ll write you out a little list of what is wanted—­I used to know a little about china once, you see, and you tell Horton to send it on to Vancouver.  How much would you care to spend, Harry?”

“Just whatever is necessary, but get the best,” said Alton.  “Write another list of cakes and jellies and things of that kind, too.  Put down plenty.”