A little after two o'clock the crouched group heard a sound, and Hollis appeared in the circle of light shed by the flaring wind-swept fire. He bore a load of provisions and garments in baskets, in a sack suspended from his neck, in bags dangling from his arms, as well as in his hands and pockets; he had even brought a tea-kettle; it was a wonder how he had come so far with such a load, the wind bending him double. Priscilla Mile made tea as methodically as though the open beach, with the roaring water and the shrieking gale, had been a quiet room. Hollis watched them eat with an eagerness so intense that unconsciously his face made masticating movements in sympathy. When they had finished, a start passed over him, as if he were awakening, and, making a trumpet of his hands, he shouted to Cicely: "Must go now; 'f I don't, the old _judge_'ll be trying to get here. Back--with _boat_--soon as _ca-a-an_." "I'll take your _coat_, if you don't mind," said Mrs. Mile, shrieking at him in her turn; "then Miss _Bruce_ can have this _shawl_." And she tapped her chest violently to show him her meaning. Hollis denuded himself, and started. With the first light of dawn he was back. They reached the camp about ten o'clock the next morning. At three in the afternoon Cicely woke from a sleep of four hours. Her first movement was to feel for Jack. Jack was sitting beside her, playing composedly with four spools and a little wooden horse on rollers. "We'd better dress him now, hadn't we?" suggested Mrs. Mile, coming forward. She spoke in her agreeing voice; Mrs. Mile's voice agreed beforehand that her patients should agree with her. "I will dress him," said Cicely, rising. "I wouldn't, now, if I were you, Mrs. Morrison; you're not strong enough." "Where is my dress?" asked Cicely, looking about her. "You don't want anything, surely, but your pretty blue wrapper?" said Mrs. Mile, taking it from its nail. "Bring me my thick dress and my walking-shoes, please." They were brought. Eve came in while Cicely was dressing. "Eve, who is this person?" Cicely demanded, indicating the nurse with a sideward wave of her head. "Oh, I'm just a lady's maid--they thought you'd better have one; Porley, in that way, you know, isn't good for much," answered Mrs. Mile, readily. "Whatever you are, I shall not need your services longer," said Cicely. "Do you think you could go to-night?" "Certainly, ma'am; by the evening boat." "There is no evening boat. I must have been ill a long while,--you talk in such a wheedling manner. I am well now, at any rate, and you can return to Port aux Pins whenever you like; no doubt you have been much missed there." Mrs. Mile, giving Eve a significant look, went out. The storm was over, but the air had turned much colder; the windows of the lodge were closed. Eve seated herself by the east window. "I have been ill, then?" asked Cicely. "Yes." "I have been out of my mind?" "Yes," Eve answered again, in a listless voice.