“It is perfectly natural that you should be tired, Sally. I am only worried for fear we are doing too much talking. Your mother told me to keep you amused and away from all the excitement. One question I must ask. What did you mean by saying a few moments ago that I was in part responsible for your attempt to return to the cabin alone and being lost in consequence? Had I dreamed what you intended, I should never have allowed it. It really was nonsensical of you, Sally, to attempt to come home alone; you know you have less skill in outdoor things than the other Camp Fire girls and less courage.” Sally frowned. “Then all the more reason why you should not have left me alone, first to walk up the hill without even speaking to me and afterwards to stand and freeze while you continued to amuse yourself with Mary Gilchrist. Of course Gill is athletic and has lots of courage and is all the things I am not, but you have always pretended to be my friend, Dan, and I have not seen you since we parted in France. You told me then that I ought to return home because I had less ability to help with reconstruction work than the other Camp Fire girls. It is always the things I lack that you notice, isn’t it? But you are right, I am tired and would prefer not to talk any more. To think that to-morrow is not only Christmas but Peggy’s wedding day! Little did any of us dream that a white Christmas at Half Moon Lake would see the first wedding among our group of Sunrise Hill Camp Fire girls! If you don’t mind, will you leave me alone for a little while now, Dan? No, I don’t wish to sleep; there are several things I want to think about. I’ll see you to-night at supper.” “I won’t go, Sally, until you explain what you meant.” Lowering her eyelids as if intending to rest, Sally glanced at the tall figure towering above her, through half open eyes which afforded her a plain view of her companion, but concealed her expression from him. There was something in Dan’s manner which pleased Sally. He looked so strong and masterful and yet at the same time so hurt and puzzled. It always had been a comfort and an amusement that she understood him better than he would ever understand her. “Why, I meant nothing except what I said, Dan.” “But to talk of pretense in my friendship for you, Sally, is so nonsensical. I have cared for you ever since you were a little girl more than I have cared for any one save my own family. Of late, well, I might as well be honest, after I saw you in France I knew I cared more. I did not want to speak of this to you, Sally, not for a time. I feel as if somehow you were too young. I know of course that in France Lieutenant Fleury,[4] the young officer you nursed, liked you pretty well and then there was some Englishman, but they were foreigners and I suppose afraid to take a chance. I can’t say I blame them, although I did want you back in your own country for selfish reasons as well as for your own good.”