different. But the [Pg 50]money is made at the ports and trading stations.”

[Pg 50]

“Any sport?”

“Very little, the bush is too dense.”

“Then why do the blacks want gas-pipe guns and coal-dust gunpowder?” asked Minkie, who was making a jam sandwich.

“To shoot the whites,” replied Schwartz. “So you see it would be bad for our health if the traders gave them good weapons and ammunition.”

“That explains it,” said Minkie.

“Explains what, dear?” inquired Mam, and Schwartz squirmed a bit until Minkie said:

“Something I read in a paper, mother. These wicked negroes pay high prices for rifles, and of course it is best to let them believe they are buying the genuine article.”

Mam was puzzled, but the Guv’nor laughed.

“Excellent!” he cried. “I am glad to hear that one member of the family has grasped the true principles of commercial success.”

“I’m sure I don’t know where Millicent gets her ideas from,” sighed Mam. “When [Pg 51]I was her age I could no more have said such a thing than I could have flown.“

[Pg 51]

“And you certainly were never built for flying, less now than ever,” smiled her husband. Of course, I paid little heed to all this chaff, because I was bolting half that jam sandwich, which Minkie had dropped. Evangeline saw what happened, and said nothing, so it will be “Whistle and I’ll come to you, my lad,” to-night. But I woke up to the sounds of battle when Mam wanted to know who was going to church. Everybody said “I,” except Schwartz, who had letters to write. You ought to have watched his face when Minkie said quietly:

“In that case you will miss seeing Jack Stanhope, the friend of whom I was telling you yesterday.”

“Jack! Is he at home?” Dolly blurted out, and then blushed right down her neck.

“Yes. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I? If it 

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