brought Epicurus himself back to life. What's
more, she did not seem to be worrying over them; she did not even seem
particular about stirring them, nor did she burn her fingers, nor get
red in the face and hot, nor suffer any of those agonies that I had
supposed were a necessary part of culinary science.

"You're a wonder," I exclaimed. "Darned if I've ever seen such a swell
cook!"

"Thank you, sir," she tossed her head and mimicked. "I'm glad I please,
sir."

"Like your new place?" I asked, gravely.

"I've seen worse, sir."

"Like your new master, too?" I ventured.

"Marster, is it!" She sent me a look with which there was a most
fetching little curve at the corners of her lips that she seemed unable
to control. "I'll 'ave you understand that queens of the kitchen know no
marster!"

"But you won't be in the kitchen all the time."

"That I will," she replied. "In the woods, all the world's a kitchen!"

"I rather wish it was," I sighed, looking toward the savory skillet and
coffee pot; whereupon she gave the brightest of laughs, telling me to
set the table as things were about ready.

But Smilax and I had never bothered about a table. We did not even
possess a cloth, or napkin, or anything like that. So I cut some palm
leaves, arranging them on the ground; then ransacked the duffle for a
small kit of aluminum plates and cups, with also knives and forks.
Neither had Smilax and I deigned to use this kit, principally because
our meals had been taken on the move. At best palm leaves do not make a
good table, as their ridges cause the dishes to wobble; so in the end we
spread our steaming feast upon the grass.

My word, but that was a breakfast! I don't remember what we had, but it
did taste good. When it was over, right down to the last crumb--for she
had complained of starvation, too--I looked across at her, saying:

"If I can move, at all, and you're willing to go slowly, I'd like to
show you over your new possessions!"

"Right away? Mercy no," she stood up, brushing her skirt. "I'm going to
get a cigarette, and you're going to wash the dishes!"

"But Smilax washes the dishes," I protested.

"And he may be thirty miles from here," she announced.

"Will you come back and watch me?"

"I will if you want me to," she laughed, "but you'll look awfully
silly."

"Then you needn't," I agreed, less reluctantly, "and I'll call in half
an hour. By the way, I've deeded you all the 'island' east of those two
b