Englishman's camp cookery. Seaforth followed
it with a better one, and the whole four were laughing when the cook
came back again. He smiled at them reassuringly as he put the teapot
down.

"I guess there's enough this time," he said. "It's that full I could
scarcely get the lid on."

The tea was strong, and acrid with the sting of the wood smoke, but
there was no avoiding another cupful, and Deringham drank determinedly,
while his daughter felt that she had made full atonement when she set
her cup down half empty. Then Alton, who explained that he had
something to attend to, went away, and Seaforth smiled at the girl when
Deringham went in for another cigar.

"I wonder if one might venture to congratulate you on your resolution?"
he said.

"If I knew exactly what you meant I could answer more readily," said
Alice Deringham.

"Well," said Seaforth reflectively, "I fancy you do, and, if it's any
comfort to you, I think Harry does too. He is considerably less of a
fool than folks who do not understand this country might suppose him to
be; but the point is, that if he can prevent it you will not suffer an
infliction of this kind again."

"I wonder why you thought it worth while to tell me," said Alice
Deringham. "Have I admitted that it was an affliction, or do you
suppose I am very frightened of a little indifferent tea?"

Seaforth laughed. "I can't fancy you so fond of it as the cook seems
to conclude, and I don't think indifferent was exactly the word. A
stronger one would have been appropriate. Still, though I am not sure
that you will understand me, I told you because I felt it was due to
Harry. You see, his attitude was really the correct one, and taking
him all round I am rather proud of him."

"Hasn't that an appearance of unnecessary patronage?" asked Miss
Deringham, who was slightly nettled.

Seaforth nodded. "It has," he said. "Only that the feeling is shared
by everybody in this district, it would be sheer presumption. Good
wine, you know, needs no bush."

He went away because he had a suspicion that Alton would be wanting
him, which was borne out when he found his comrade saddling a horse.

"Where are you going, Harry? We are not half way through with the
sawlogs," he said.

"No," said Alton dryly. "Still, if you work hard enough, you and Tom
should get them into the water before it's dark to-night. I'm going
right down to Horton's."

Seaforth laughed. "I thought you would.