oduced a frying-pan, and set
about supper.

The twilight was just falling. Somehow the great forest had lost its air
of unfriendliness. The birds were singing in exactly the same way they
used to sing in the tiny woods of the Picnic Grounds. It was difficult
to believe in the wilderness. The young man moved here and there with
accustomed ease, tending his pot and pan, feeding the fire. Barbara
watched him interestedly. Gradually the conviction gained on her that he
was worth while, and that he had not once glanced in her direction since
he had begun his preparations. At the moment he was engaged in turning
over sizzling things in the pan.

"If you please," said Barbara, with her small air of decision, "I am
very thirsty."

"You will have to wait until I go to the spring," replied the man
without stirring.

Barbara elevated her small nose in righteous indignation. After a long
time she just peeped in his direction. He was laughing to himself. She
hastily elevated her nose again. After all it was very lonely in the
woods.

"Supper is ready," he announced after a time.

"I do not think I care for any," she replied, with dignity. She was very
tired and hungry and cross, and her eyes were hot.

"Oh, yes you do," he insisted, carelessly. "Come now, before it gets
cold."

"I tell you I do not care for any," she returned, haughtily.

For answer he picked her up bodily, carried her ten feet, and deposited
her on another log. Beside her lay a clean bit of bark containing a
broiled deer-steak, toasted bread, and a cup of tea. She struggled
angrily.

"Don't be a fool," the man commanded, sternly, "you need food. You will
eat supper, now!"

Barbara looked up at him with wide eyes. Then she began to eat the
venison. By and by she remarked, "You _are_ rather nice," and after she
had drained the last drop of tea she even smiled, a trifle humbly.
"Thank you," said she.

It was now dark, and the night had stolen down through the sentry trees
to the very outposts of the fire. The man arranged the rubber blanket
before it. Barbara sat upon the blanket and leaned her back against the
log. He perched above her, producing a pipe.

"May I?" he asked.

Then, when he had puffed a few moments in quiet content, he inquired:
"How did you come to get lost?"

She told him.

"That was very foolish," he scolded, severely. "Don't you know any
better than to go into the woods without your bearings? It was
idiotic!"

"Thank you,"