eplied. "We have a good fire and supper
is all ready, such as it is," and she gave a little laugh as she moved
back into the room. "We are strangers, too, and I do not know what the
owner will say when he comes back and finds us here."

"Oh, I shall take care of you," Jasper returned. "He won't make a fuss
when he sees me. If he does, we'll pitch him out of the door, eh?"

"I guess you could do it all right," and Betty smiled as she looked at
him. "Mr. David will be so pleased to see you when he wakes. He likes
good company."

"How do you know I am good company?" Jasper asked. "Maybe I'm as cross
as two sticks."

"Well, then, you can't stay if you are."

"You couldn't put me out, could you?"

"Couldn't I, though? I guess you don't know me. Jim Goban once said
that I could beat the devil with my tongue alone, and I guess Jim ought
to know by this time what I'm like when I get my ginger up. But you're
not that kind of a man. I can tell by your eyes that you're all right.
If you're a little cranky now, it's because you're hungry. As soon as
you get something to eat you'll be as sweet as molasses candy. Most
men are that way."

The sound of voices woke old David, and sitting suddenly up he looked
inquiringly around the room as if uncertain where he was.

"Don't be afraid, Mr. David," Betty assured him. "Supper's all ready,
and we have a visitor as hard up as we are to share it with us. So
come at once and let us get through."

Jasper was greatly amused at the way Betty took full possession of
everything in the place. There was nothing forward about her, for she
seemed more like a grown-up woman than a girl. He admired her
confident and buoyant manner, as well as the thoughtful and deferential
way she looked after the old man. The best on the table was for him
and he had to be served first. She treated him sometimes as a child,
but more often as a superior being. He noted the look of reverential
respect in her eyes as she turned them upon him, and he wondered.

During the meal David acted the part of a perfect gentleman. His
manners could not have been better had he been at a royal banquet
instead of a most humble repast in a rude cabin. He asked Jasper no
questions but talked merely about his experience upon the river that
afternoon. He was somewhat anxious lest the owner of the cabin should
return and resent their intrusion. Jasper endeavoured to allay his
fears, reminding him that no on