C Ihe Ladies c cu. V'VVAN - History and Classics, Department of

168 THE LADIES, THE GWICH'IN, AND THE RATArchie Linklater, FromMason, The ArcticForests (1924),opp,96.for tired moments and our borrowed books at Aklavik had been of the lightestkind. Now, after eight weeks separation from real writers, I fell on some backnumbers of the Atlantic MonthJy; in those days it gave the reader a wide outlook overEuropean literature. I read them eagerly, as a thirsty man drinks water.In the following days, whenever Gwen was occupied in sketching I would burymyself in a book or magazine. The bird-like woman, Mrs Peeker, would look onat us in surprise, for she was not one of those who love to bury themselves in anoccupation, she liked to flit and skim and her talk was always full of exclamations.She had a sharp eye and mind and tongue and loved to see life from every angle,but she changed her angles frequently.The Burkes' home became the centre of our lives, but we made many friendsoutside and would spend hours listening to their yarns. There were so many newfaces, that trying to recall anyone of them is like trying to remember someportrait seen in a crowded picture gallery.