. "We are in one of Mr. Jallow's
cabins. We like it very much."

"Yes, it is nice," agreed Grace. Amy had taken no part in the talk, and
Will, sensing her feelings, took her arm and led her along the path,
pretending to show her some curious moss formation on the trees.

"Where are you staying?" went on Mrs. Jallow. She must have known of the
feeling between her daughter and the other girls, but she was credited
with being a very curious person, and she may have been willing, for the
sake of acquiring information, to sink her personal feelings. Naturally
she would side with Alice.

"Oh, we are in one of the cabins my father owns," said Grace.

"Going to stay long?"

"We don't know."

"That is the way with us," went on Mrs. Jallow. "Jim--that's Mr. Jallow,
you know--has quite a lot of timber to get out of that new tract, and he
wants to finish before Spring. So as I was sort of run down I thought
I'd take a rest and come up with him and the girls and boys. Your folks
all well?"

"Yes," went on Grace, who seemed to have had the office of spokesman
thrust upon her.

"I'm sorry about the trouble you had with Hank Smither," went on Alice's
mother.

"Hank Smither?" questioned Mollie.

"Yes. He's one of Mr. Jallow's men, you know. He ordered you off, the
other day. But you must excuse him. He was only carrying out our orders,
and I've no doubt Mr. Jallow will be glad to let you come over and see
us."

"Oh, Mr. Smither didn't annoy us," said Grace easily. "We realized that
the poor man was only carrying out his orders. Thank you for the
invitation, but I don't know as we will have much time for calling. We
are up here to get as much fresh air as we can."

"Humph!" sneered Alice audibly.

"Well, we mustn't let business quarrels interfere with we women folks
being friendly," said Mrs. Jallow in what she probably meant for a
conciliatory tone, but which she only succeeded in making patronizing.

"No, indeed, we don't intend to," said Betty, calmly. "We hope you will
enjoy it here."

"Well, the young folks do, if I don't," said Mrs. Jallow. "I like more
conveniences than you have in a log cabin. But then it may do my nerves
good to get a rest."

There was a little pause--rather an awkward one--and then Grace said:

"Well, girls, we had better be getting on. It's late."

"Yes, and I must see about supper," said Mrs. Jallow. "I wish you'd come
over." She did not heed the eye-telegraphic signals her daughter wa