ce Mr. Matlack. His nature belongs to the woods and
the out-of-door world, and that nature prompts him to cook what he
shoots."

Mrs. Archibald laughed. "I think his nature is a very good one," she said,
"and I will go with you to find him and see if he cannot give you a
luncheon, if not a dinner."

"Thank you very much," said Corona; "but indeed I do not wish to trouble
you. I will go to him myself. You are very kind, but it is not in the
least degree necessary for you to accompany me. A cup of tea and some
little trifle is all I shall ask him for."

For a moment Mrs. Archibald hesitated, and then she said, "As we are
hermits, I suppose we must not keep together any more than we can help,
and so I will let you go alone."

Corona found Phil Matlack by his kitchen tent, busily engaged in rubbing
the inside of a large kettle. He was not in a good humor. The departure of
Martin had thrown all the work of his camp upon him, and now the
appearance of a person from another camp requesting to be fed aroused him
to absolute anger. He did not scold, for it would have been impossible to
look at that beautiful and imperturbable face and say hard words to it. He
did not refuse the cup of tea or the bread-and-butter for which he was
asked, and he even added some cold meat; but he indignantly made up his
mind that he would stand no more of this nonsense, and that if necessary
he would go to Sadler and throw up the job. He had not engaged to cook for
three camps.

[Illustration: "'HAVEN'T TRIED IT'"]

Miss Raybold did not appear to notice his state of mind, and ate heartily.
She thought it was fortunate that he happened to have the kettle on the
stove, and she asked him how he liked the hermit life--the living for
himself alone.

"Haven't tried it," he answered, curtly.

"I understand," said Corona, "you have had to live too much for other
people; but it is too soon to expect our plan to run smoothly. In a short
time, however, we shall be better able to know our own natures and show
them to others."

"Oh, I can do that," said he; "and I am goin' to, precious soon."

"I have no doubt of it," she answered. "And now can you tell me where Mr.
Archibald has gone? I did not see him this morning, and there are some
matters I wish to speak to him about."

"No, miss," said Matlack, promptly, "I don't know where he is. He's a real
hermit. He's off by himself, most likely miles away."

Corona reflected. "Mr.--the bishop? Have you