know we are going to take a long walk across Table Top to Indian Head."

The silence was profound.

"And we need more bread. Will you get me another loaf, please?"

No reply. Mrs. Lupo was quietly stringing beans on a bench by the door
of the lean-to which served the camp as a kitchen.

"Did you hear what I asked?" demanded Billie.

Nancy and Mary, placing ham between the slices of bread, looked up
quickly, half amused and half frightened.

"Did you hear me ask you a question, Mrs. Lupo?" repeated Billie,
exasperated beyond endurance.

Mrs. Lupo went on stringing beans.

Brandishing the long carving knife, Billie went over and stood in front
of the strange woman. Percy, peeping through the half open door, was
grinning, and Nancy stifled a giggle.

"When I speak to you I expect an answer, Mrs. Lupo," said Billie, trying
to keep her voice smooth and even. "Now, answer me at once."

Mrs. Lupo looked up mildly surprised.

"There ain't no more bread and there ain't no more eggs," she said, in a
voice that sounded like an echo.

Billie went back to her work without a word, and later, when they had
started on the walk with the small allowance of lunch packed in a candy
box, Percy teased her and called her the javelin thrower.

"I _was_ almost tempted to pitch it at her," said Billie. "She is the
most aggravating human being I ever saw. I'll certainly never address
another word to her, but it's so hard to remember not to be agreeable."

The placid depths of Billie's amiable nature had been so stirred by the
incident that it took her some time to calm down, and she went blindly
along the trail following Ben without seeing anything or anybody.

"Don't let her jar you, Billie," said Ben, soothingly. "If you want to
forget your troubles, just have a look at Nancy-Bell. She looks like a
fashion plate lady standing on the top of Mont Blanc."

Nancy had disappeared just when they were ready to start and kept them
waiting fifteen minutes, which had also served to aggravate Billie's
ruffled temper.

"Goodness me," exclaimed Billie, laughing, "the child has put on her new
walking costume made by Delosia Moxley's mother! When the climbing part
comes, what will she do, Ben?"

Ben shook his head doubtfully.

"How do you like it, Billie dear?" asked Nancy in a honeyed tone,
noticing her friend's backward glances.

"It's awfully pretty, Nancy. Lovely color, but----"

"You see, the skirt's quite broad," interrupted Nan