But she was already on the way to report the controversy to her husband. When they had bathed their faces and hands in the river the evening before someone had referred to it poetically as "Nature's wash-basin." Wallie, seeing Mrs. Appel with her soap and towel on the way to "Nature's wash-basin," was inspired by some evil spirit to inquire how she had rested. "Rested!" she hissed at him. "Who could rest, to say nothing of sleeping, within six blocks of Mr. Penrose? A man who snores as he does should not be permitted to have his tent among human beings. If it is ever placed near mine again, Wallie, I shall insist upon having it removed if it is midnight. Knowing the trouble he has had everywhere, I am surprised at your not being more considerate." "To-night I will attend to it. I regret very much----" Wallie mumbled. Mrs. J. Harry Stott beckoned him aside as breakfast was being placed on the table. Mrs. Stott had a carefully cultivated mispronunciation of great elegance when she wished to be impressive, and as soon as she began Wallie realized that something portentous was about to be imparted to him. Even the way she raised her eyebrows made him warm all over with a sense of guilt of something of which he was ignorant. "You will excuse me if I speak frankly?" Wallie gulped, wondering fearfully what she knew and how much. She went on in a voice which seemed to have hoarfrost on it: "But the fact is, I am not in the habit of eating with the _help_." Wallie felt relief surge over him. His face cleared and he laughed light-heartedly. "I know that, of course, Mrs. Stott, but out here it is different. Camping is particularly democratic. It has never occurred to 'Red' or Hicks that they are not welcome at the table, and I fear that they would be greatly offended if I should suggest----" Mrs. Stott drew herself up haughtily. "That is no concern of mine, Wallie. It is a matter of principle with me to keep servants in their places. I am not a snob, but----" "Sh-ss-sh!" Wallie looked over his shoulder in Hicks' direction. In clarion tones she continued: "I cannot consent to letting down the barriers even in these unconventional surroundings. You can adjust the matter to suit yourself, but I ab-so-lute-ly refuse to sit cheek by jowl with the cook and McGonnigle!" Wallie grew solemn, as well he might, for along with the tact of a diplomat to a Balkan state it required the courage of a lion to convey the information to one of Hicks' violent disposition that he was not fit to sit at table with the wife of the rising young attorney.