"Couldn't stay away," the girl responded lightly. "The prairie's in my bones." Rosebud had never liked Nevil. To her there was something fish-like in those pale eyes and overshot jaw, but just now everybody connected with the old life was welcome. They chatted for a while, and presently, as Wanaha began to put the food on the table, the girl rose to depart. "It's time I was getting home," she said reluctantly. "I'm not sure that they know where I am, so I mustn't stay away too long--after the scrape I got into months ago. I should like to go across to the Reservation, but I've already promised not to go there alone. Seth warned me against it, and after what has passed I know he's right. But I would like to see Miss Parker, and dear old Mr. Hargreaves. However, I must wait." Nevil crossed over to the table. He looked serious, but his blue eyes shone. "Seth's quite right. You mustn't go alone. Little Black Fox is about again, you know. And--and the people are very restless just now." "That's what he said. And I nearly frightened auntie to death telling her she'd get scalped, and nonsense like that." Nevil laughed in response. "If you'd like to go----" he began doubtfully. "It doesn't matter." "I only meant I've got to go across directly after dinner. I could accompany you. No one will interfere with you while I am there." Nevil turned to his food with apparent indifference. Wanaha stood patiently by. Rosebud was tempted. She wanted to see the Reservation again with that strange longing which all people of impulse have for revisiting the scenes of old associations. Always she was possessed by that curious fascination for the Indian country which was something stronger than mere association, something that had to do with the long illness she had passed through nearly seven years ago. Nevil waited. He knew by the delay of her answer that she would accept his invitation, and he wanted her to go over to the Reservation. "Are you sure I shan't be in the way? Sure I'm not troubling you?" Nevil smiled. "By no means. Just let me have my dinner, and I'll be ready. I've half a dozen cords of wood to haul into Beacon, and I have to go and borrow ponies for the work. The roads are so bad just now that my own ponies couldn't do it by themselves." Rosebud's scruples thus being quieted she returned to her seat on the bed, and they talked on while the man ate his dinner. She watched the almost slavish devotion of Wanaha with interest and sympathy, but her feelings were all for the tall, beautiful woman. For the man she had no respect. She tolerated him because of her friend only.