ave to work very hard just
now, and I have little or no leisure."

Mary winced as if Katherine had struck her a blow. She was not
used to having her offers of friendship flouted in this fashion;
but she was too much indebted to this girl in the shabby frock to
even dream of resenting the treatment of which poor Katherine was
already secretly ashamed.

"I know that you have to work very hard," Mary said gently. "But
if you knew how much I honour you for your unselfish courage, I
think you would not refuse to let me see as much of you as your
work will allow."

Katherine had to come down from her poor little pedestal then, but
she made her descent gracefully enough. "If you care to see me at
my work, we may even find time for friendship," she said, smiling
bravely, although her face was still very pale; "but work and I are
such close comrades that only Sunday finds us apart."

"Then I will have you and your work all the week, and you without
your work on Sundays," laughed Mary, afterwards saying good night
and going back across the river to her father again.

CHAPTER XVII

'Duke Radford's New Friend

Mr. Selincourt suffered but little ill effects from his accident.
He stayed in bed two days to ward off any danger of swamp fever,
but on the third morning got up at his usual hour, and after
breakfast had himself rowed across the river, and paid a visit to
the store. Early as it was, Katherine and Phil had already started
for an Indian encampment on Ochre Lake, so Mr. Selincourt found
only Miles in the store, and he was busy sweeping dead flies from
the molasses traps, and spreading fresh molasses for the catching
of another batch.

"Hullo, young man! is it you who pulled me out of the mud the other
day?" he asked.

"No, sir," replied Miles promptly; "I'm as heavy as Katherine, so
not adapted for walking on soft spots. It was Phil who put the
rope round you, but Katherine pulled you out."

"A plucky pair they were too, for it must have been difficult work.
Are they at home?" Mr. Selincourt asked, as he gazed round the
store, and thought what a bare-looking place it was.

"No, they started for Ochre Lake a good time ago. Where there is
portage work it is easiest to get it done in the morning this hot
weather. Can I have the pleasure of showing you anything this
morning, sir?" Miles asked, with his very best business manner,
which always had its due effect on the Seal Cove people.

Mr. Selincourt