But Barbara thought her cavalier was so effected that he could not look at her without feeling her powers of beauty and attraction; so she posed and minced her way as she fondly believed into Tom's plastic heart. Had she but known the truth! A merry family group sat down, at noon, to the delicious dinner served under the giant oak-tree. And Mr. Brewster, as affable as if he had not been tried by a family-court the night previous, asked the younger boys how their survey-work was progressing. "Oh fine! We have lots of fun in camp, and when we go out on a section the work is so interesting!" exclaimed Kenneth. "With such a large crowd of men, I suppose you two boys are considered more as kids who are to be teased and imposed upon, eh?" asked Tom Latimer, having read his brother's letters about the crew. "That's the best part of the crowd--they seem to forget that we both are tenderfeet and years younger than they are. Ken and I are treated exactly like any of the older men in the crew," replied Jim. "Yes, we are paired off with certain groups to rain-proof the canvas tents, to act as commissary agents, and to share in all the chores the others do. Just because Jim has a rich father and because I have to work for a living, makes no difference to them. Caste and wealth counts as nothing out in these wilds. It is what a fellow stands for and can prove that is his introduction and guarantee of manliness," added Kenneth. "Did your crew move to a new line, as you thought they would?" asked Eleanor. "Yes, we are now at Silver Creek, but we only have another week's work to do there. Then we move on to the next section which will be near Buffalo Park. Isn't that the place where you said Old Montresor had a cabin?" said Jim. "Yes, and it is a lovely spot. I've been there, and I promised Nolla I'd ride there with her some day," returned Polly. "Oh, I say, girls! Wouldn't it be great to have you-all ride up while we camped there? You could make up a party of it, couldn't you?" asked Kenneth, eagerly. "And we'd get Old Carew to give you a _regular_ party! The men in our crowd are gentlemen from different parts of the States, and they would help us entertain," added Jim. "I think it would be a treat, Mrs. Brewster, for all of us. John and I would join the picnickers," now said Tom Latimer. "Say, would you really, Tom?" cried Jim, delightedly. "Sure thing. If Mr. and Mrs. Brewster approve." John looked at his mother. "It will be dandy, Mother, if you and Dad will go, too." "Father and I wouldn't go, John, if Tom and you will escort the girls," returned Mrs. Brewster. "Oh, but we couldn't think of going, Mrs. Brewster, unless you chaperoned us among so many men!" exclaimed Barbara. Then when she saw Tom Latimer looking at her she modestly drooped her head. Tom was thinking: "Of all the empty-headed vain creatures it ever was my misfortune to meet, she takes the cake!"