very bad?"

"It's bad enough," said Jim, who began to get up, but she stopped him.

"Never mind; sit still! You're very polite, but I don't know if you
need always use your best manners."

"I don't know if I do," Jim rejoined. "Sometimes I'm too savage; I'm
rather savage now. But don't you like me to be polite?"

"If you get what I mean, I want you to feel I'm a working partner."

"You are a partner," Jim declared. "In fact, you're a remarkably
useful member of the firm."

Carrie gave him a smile. "Thank you! But you mustn't feel this bad
luck too much. You've met worse."

"Much worse, but it was in the North, where we knew what we were up
against and had nothing to lose. It's different now; I've staked all
I've got on this undertaking. So has Jake; and then you have joined
us. I hate to think about your going back to the city broke."

"Oh," said Carrie, smiling, "that doesn't count at all. Besides, we're
not going broke. We may have some set-backs, but we'll make good."

"We'll try; but that's another thing. I don't know why you're so
confident."

Carrie studied him with a twinkle of amusement. "I am confident.
You're not a quitter, and it's wonderful what one can often do by just
staying with a thing!"

"The trouble is, you can't stay with this particular job when your
money's gone. That's the difference between it and placer mining in
the North. Up there, we had no wages to pay, and could stop and root
up the tundra until we froze, and when our money is spent the boys will
light out."

"But you'll stay until every dollar is gone."

Jim laughed. "It might be prudent to pull out before; but I rather
think I'll hold on."

"Ah," said Carrie, "that's what I like! You're bracing up; I knew you
would! However, I must go back. Breakfast must be cooked."

Jim went with her, feeling comforted. Carrie did not know much about
the mechanical difficulties, but her confidence was inspiriting. In a
sense, the thing was illogical; the difficulties would not vanish
because she did not see them. It was ridiculous for him to feel
cheered, but he was cheered and he glanced at Carrie as they went
along. She was pretty and her impulsive frankness was often charming;
but somehow he did not think of her as an attractive girl. She was a
partner whom he trusted and a staunch friend. Yet he had been annoyed
by Davies' stopping at the camp and had felt relieved when she told him
she did not like the