Веснянки

           Hebrokeasprayofironwortbesidehimandusedthepurplebloomtobeatthedustfromhisshouldersandlimbs.TheBoss,busyoverhisreport,was,nevertheless,vaguelyalivetothetoiletbeingmadebehindhim,andscoredonefortheman.

           McLeanwasaScotchman.Itwashishabittoworkslowlyandmethodically.Themenofhiscampsneverhadknownhimtobeinahurryortolosehistemper.Disciplinewasinflexible,buttheBosswasalwayskind.Hishabitsweresimple.Hesharedcamplifewithhisgangs.Theonlyvisiblesignsofwealthconsistedofabig,shimmeringdiamondstoneoficeandfirethatglitteredandburnedononeofhisfingers,andthedainty,beautifulthoroughbredmareherodebetweencampsandacrossthecountryonbusiness.

           NomanofMcLean’sgangscouldhonestlysaythatheeverhadbeenoverdrivenorunderpaid.TheBossneverhadexactedanydeferencefromhismen,yetsointensewashispersonalitythatnomanofthemeverhadattemptedafamiliarity.Theyallknewhimtobeathoroughgentleman,andthatinthegreattimbercityseveralmillionsstoodtohiscredit.

           HewastheonlysonofthatMcLeanwhohadsentoutthefinestshipseverbuiltinScotland.Thathissonshouldcarryonthisbusinessafterthefather’sdeathhadbeenhisambition.HehadsenttheboythroughtheuniversitiesofOxfordandEdinburgh,andallowedhimseveralyears’travelbeforeheshouldattempthisfirstcommissionforthefirm.

           ThenhewasorderedtosouthernCanadaandMichigantopurchaseaconsignmentoftall,straighttimberformasts,andsouthtoIndianaforoakbeams.