Selfishly Gill uttered an inward breath of thankfulness, grateful for her own perfect health. Never had she felt more vigorous than to-day. Already she was growing tired of the little room and her host and anxious to return home. “Well, I am sure you must find a great deal to keep you busy. Thank you for asking me to see your house. I must say good-by now and hurry back to the cabin. I am afraid it is growing late.” Insisting on adjusting her own snowshoes, Gill stood at the door of the cabin with her back to the wall, smiling her farewell. If her opinion of Allan Drain had not altered, his impression of her had slightly changed. This afternoon he did not so much dislike her half boyish appearance, the bobbed hair of a bright auburn color, the short nose and wide mouth with the white, firm teeth. “I am sorry to have you go. I would walk back with you to Tahawus cabin with pleasure, but as I cannot manage my snowshoes without half a dozen headers I should only bore and delay you. Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Burton have been good enough to say I may come and share in your Christmas festivities. You are expecting many guests, aren’t you? The time is not far off and I shall try to keep so busy with my writing that the days will fly until then.” “Do you mean that you are re-writing the verses that were lost at our cabin? I suppose they will be all the better for the added work,” Gill said hastily and in a tone of relief. “Oh, no, not the poor old verses over again!” her companion returned. “I haven’t the courage, besides the fates must have known they were of no value and spared me the task of making away with them. I know it is ridiculous of me, but actually I am attempting to write a play. Mrs. Burton suggested the idea when we were talking together, although she is unaware of the fact. I know it will amount to nothing, so please keep my secret. I don’t know why I should have mentioned it to you, except that I have not seen another human being for two days. Well, good-by if you must go, and thank you for your visit. My best wishes to Tahawus cabin.” CHAPTER X Holiday Guests Arrangements at Tahawus cabin were to be readjusted to meet the approach of Christmas guests, especially as the household was a strictly feminine one and a number of the guests were masculine. Captain Burton would come up from Washington city to be with his wife for a few days, if not the entire length of the holiday. Dan Webster with his mother and sister, Peggy, intended spending several weeks. Mrs. Webster had been unable to see her sister except for a few days since her return from Europe. Peggy Webster desired a rest and a farewell holiday with her group of Camp Fire girls before her marriage to Ralph Merritt. Therefore Ralph was to be a few days at the cabin but was not to remain the entire length of Peggy’s stay.