my
employer's benefit. But what do you study?"

"Science; chemistry and geology, but not in order to teach the girls."

"Well, I suppose knowledge is worth getting for its own sake. Anyhow, I
thought so, but you learn when you undertake rude mining that the main
thing is to be able to make a practical use of what you know. In fact,
that's often better than knowing much."

"Perhaps so," Agatha agreed. "Some day I hope to make a good use of what
I have learned."

"About canoeing, or geology?"

"About both," said Agatha. "Now, however, I think we'll make for the
landing. Breakfast will be ready soon."

Thirlwell saw no more of her during the day, but she came down to the
beach in the evening and he gave her another lesson. As they paddled
home he thought she looked tired, and asked: "Where have you been since
morning?"

Agatha indicated a ridge of high ground with a few pines on its summit
that rose indistinctly at some distance across the shadowy forest.

"I took my lunch with me and went up there."

"But it must be a two or three hours' walk. Is there a trail?"

"A loggers' trail. It's partly grown up and broke off altogether when I
got near the rocks. After that I had a rough scramble, but I like the
woods and try to walk as much as possible in my holidays."

"Well, no doubt, walking is good for one. But don't the girls in Toronto
prefer the street cars?"

"I don't go long walks for health's sake," Agatha answered with a smile.
"But I think some people I know are waiting. Can you paddle faster?"

The canoe's bows lifted out of a wisp of foam as Thirlwell swung the
paddle, and in a few minutes he helped the girl to land. After this,
their acquaintance ripened fast and Agatha went fishing with him on the
lake and, by disused logging trails, long distances into the shadowy
bush. Thirlwell imagined she knew this excited some remark, but he saw
there was an imperious vein in the girl, who did what she thought fit,
without heeding conventions. Besides, no touch of sentiment marked their
friendship; she accepted him as a comrade who could teach her something
about lake and forest, and he was satisfied with this.

Yet he was puzzled. It was strange that an attractive girl should wish
to learn something of the bush-man's skill, but she obviously meant to
do so. Although it often cost her an effort to follow him, she would not
let him turn back when they came to an angry rapid or a belt of tangled
woods. She cert