rstand what this adventure means? Unless you get back before the new
term begins, you'll lose your post, and you take steep chances of
ruining your health. You're not used to sleeping on wet ground and going
without food. Then you'll have to live with half-tamed _voyageurs_ and
perhaps help them track the canoes. They'll upset you in the rapids and
the bush will tear your clothes. I hate to think of my sister going
about, draggled and ragged, with a bunch of strange men. But that, while
bad enough, is certainly not the worst!"

He stopped to get his breath and then resumed: "You won't find the lode,
and you'll come back feeling sick and sore. If they keep you on at the
school, you won't want to teach; you'll think of nothing but saving all
you can and pulling out again. You're like father, and when he took the
lone trail the blamed foolishness got such a grip of him that he never
broke loose. Well, you'll lose your job and the next you get; in fact,
you'll come to hate any work that keeps you from the North. But a girl
can't let herself down until she turns into a hobo. It's frankly
unthinkable. Pull up and cut out the crazy program before it ruins you!"

"It's too late," said Agatha. "I knew what I might have to pay when I
resolved to go."

"I wonder whether you do know. There's something George hasn't
mentioned," Mrs. Farnam remarked. "I don't think I'm prudish, but you
can't keep your adventure secret, and school managers are censorious
people. Have you thought what it may mean if they hear about your
traveling through the woods with a man who's not a relative and a band
of wild half-breeds?"

"Yes," said Agatha, coloring, "I have thought of that."

"But it didn't count?"

"It counted for much," said Agatha, in a rather strained voice.

George clenched his fist. "If you're turned out, people will talk. I'll
engage to stop the men, but the women are dangerous and I can't get
after them. For my sake, drop your fool plan!"

"I can't. I know the risks, but I must go on."

"Well," said George with a gesture of helpless indignation, "I allow I'm
beaten and there's not much comfort in feeling I've done my duty! I
didn't expect you'd bother about my views when I began. Looks as if we
gave young women a dangerous freedom."

"Women have won their freedom; you didn't give it," Mrs. Farnam
rejoined, and then turned to Agatha. "After all, something depends on
the man's character. You haven't told us much about Mr. Thir