“To Brown’s Tract pond. ’Way up at the head of Brown’s Tract Inlet. You remember? The inlet that twists around like a snake that’s swallowed a corkscrew? We’re going to spend the night. Just think of that! All four of us. The guide is going up early in the morning to pitch the two tents and get everything ready. And we’re to stramble along at our leisure and get there about noon. Think! We’re actually to camp overnight. I wish there were bears or catamounts or something, to come not _too_ near and growl dreadfully. I’m going to take Rex along if Mr. Bennett will let me. And--_isn’t_ it a nice way to wind up your vacation? You’ll have plenty of time. We’ll be back here by noon next day, and your train doesn’t go till night.” “Let’s not talk about my going away,” he replied. “I thought I’d be tickled to death to get back to the fight. But for the past two days I’ve been tryin’ to frame up an excuse to myself that’d let me stay longer.” “Oh, why don’t you? Why _don’t_ you?” she cried, all eagerness. “I stump you to! _Please_ stay!” “Don’t, little girl!” he urged. “If I could stay with you an extra hour, d’you s’pose I’d need to be begged to? It’ a case of _must_. I got to be on deck day after to-morrow. That special session of the Legislature I was tellin’ you about meets week after next. An’ I’ve got to work like a dog till then to lick my crowd into line an’ frame up a stiff enough defence against your friend, Blacarda. I’ll be as busy as a one-armed paper-hanger that’s got hives.” “But why?” she persisted. “You’ve been working away with both hands all your life. You’re rich. What’s the use of all that money if you can’t have some fun?” “I get my fun in the winnin’. Not in the holdin’.” “But you don’t even know how to rest. And now, just as I’m teaching you, you run away. You could wait perfectly well, three weeks longer, and then go back to Granite with us. Just think what a sumptuous time we’d have here! I’m _very_ wise,” she coaxed. “Won’t you take my advice and stay?” “I’d take it in a minute if I could, girl,” he answered. “Oh, dear! That means you won’t. Advice is something everybody asks, everybody gives--and nobody takes. I _wish_ you’d stay. This has been the beautifullest, happiest two weeks I ever spent.” “Has it, honest, Dey?” he asked, his heavy face of a sudden alight. “Honest? It’s been ’bout the only long stretch of happy time I c’n remember.” “Then why don’t you stay?” she demanded. “Can’t you see?”-- He hesitated. “I’ve a good mind to,” he said at last. She clapped her hands, then squeezed his arm as they swung down the hill together. “Yes,” he went on. “I b’lieve I’ll do it. It’d be fun to see what’d happen if I was to cut loose from work for once. An’ you an’ me could be together--” “Would you lose so very much?” she asked doubtfully, in belated concern.