o' worship. It will do 'em good to let it out at a tin god, if they
don't know any better. It's good for folks to worship somethin' besides
themselves."

Through the long day that followed--it seemed long to Winston--Helen
skilfully avoided him. Without seeming effort, she managed to be
surrounded with others, giving Winston no word alone. Outwardly, she was
her old buoyant self. Only to the keen eyes of Winston was her manner
forced.

Towards night, Winston saw Helen and Uncle Sid standing together on one
of the abutments of the dam. Without undue haste he joined them.

"Well, Helen, are you satisfied with the handiwork of your servant?"

"If you are my servant, why do you come into my presence without being
bidden?"

"I asked my question first, and you haven't answered it."

"It strikes me that you are either presumptuous or hypocritical. Don't
you think so, Uncle Sid?" She flashed her eyes toward Uncle Sid. There
was a shade of annoyance in the look that she turned to Winston. "I
believe you and Uncle Sid are fellow conspirators."

"Then I am not mistaken. You have avoided me today?"

"Suppose I have," she replied evasively.

"It's too late for that, Helen. You have given me rights and I claim
them." Winston's voice was decided.

"You are harking back to barefoot rights. You perhaps remember that
Uncle Sid said that these were only letters of introduction to shoes and
stockings."

"Yes. And I humbly present them." Winston replied in the forced humor of
Helen's words.

"But," protested Helen, "I have put away childish things, bare feet and
all. See!" She thrust out a booted foot from beneath her skirt.

"That's only a boot, and I'm not in it."

"You're getting childish, Ralph, so you will have to go with the rest."

"I am willing, so long as I go with the foot."

Helen was walking slowly up the steep bank and through a thicket of
scrubby pine. Uncle Sid had disappeared from sight. Winston laid a
detaining hand on her arm.

"Wait, Helen, I have a great many things to say to you."

"This is a pleasure trip, Ralph. You can say things at the office." She
turned and took a step forward, but only a step. Winston's hand was
gentle but firm. Helen seated herself on a mat of pine needles. Her face
was flushed with resentment. Was it resentment?

Winston noticed the heightened color. Its cause was a question with a
doubtful answer, but he did not hesitate on that account.

"It's no use trying to deceiv