She smiled at him, and found something kind to say about all the wonderful surprises in store for her, and she seemed so appreciative of the fresh charms of the country, which were unfolding themselves to her one by one, that he began to hope she might yet learn to care for the new life and the new land. He put his troubles bravely on one side, and went back to work. Hilda saw him contemplating his ruined ranch; and when he came in, although he tried to conceal his feelings, yet his thin face wore a peculiar look of pain, which softened her almost into tenderness. He said very little about the disaster, and spoke only of filling up the wash, levelling the land, ploughing and cultivating it, and getting it in good condition for the planting of fresh lemon-trees. All this meant terribly hard work, and he looked really quite unfit to take the slightest exertion. Ben was anxious about him, and came over every day to help with the cultivating of that part of the ranch which had escaped damage. He pushed Bob quietly away, and took possession of the cultivator. “Sit down and smoke, old man,” he said. “You’re about as fit as a kitten to do this kind of job.” Bob was glad enough to rest. He watched Ben, smoked his pipe, and smiled to hear his friend swearing at the horses. “I’m so fearfully tired, Ben,” he said. “I suppose it is the worry and the disappointment and all that. But I shall be rested in a day or two, and then I must tackle that waste land. I daresay in a fortnight’s time, if we don’t have any more rain, the ground will be solid enough to be worked.” “It will be a big business,” Ben said, glancing in that direction. “I shall have no peace until I have started it,” Bob said doggedly. “Well, we are all coming to help,” Ben answered. “All the fellows are sorry, and you will have quite a little gang round you. Holles is a splendid worker when he chooses, and he will go ahead like a ship on fire for your sake.” “You boys are good to me,” Bob said gratefully. “I know you will help me.” Then he added half-shyly: “The little wife is ever so kind about the whole affair. And I do believe she is beginning to like the life out here better than she ever thought she would. I’ve been terribly worried about her, Ben. In spite of my great happiness, I feel it was selfish of me to ask her to leave England and her people, and the many pleasures and interests she has always had in her life over there.” “She needn’t have come,” Ben answered stoutly. Bob smiled happily. “No, that is just the comfort of it,” he said. “She came because she cared about me. But, nevertheless, I am anxious the whole time. When anything pleases her, I cheer up a little, and lately she has taken so kindly to the riding. She will soon be a splendid horsewoman. She looks well on a horse.” “Yes, by Jove!” answered Ben, enthusiastically.