“I didn’t mean to be inquisitive,” he said quickly. “But you were—” she insisted. [37] [37] “Yes,” he admitted, “I’m afraid I was.” “Names don’t matter—here, do they? The woods are impersonal. Can’t you and I be impersonal, too?” “I suppose so, but my curiosity is rather natural—under the circumstances.” “I don’t intend to gratify it.” “Why not? My name——” “Because—I prefer not,” she said firmly. And then: “These fish are delicious. Some more tea, please!” He looked at her while she drank and then took the cup from her hand without replying. Her chin he discovered could fall very quickly into lines of determination. Her attitude amused him. She was, it seemed, a person in the habit of having things her own way and it even flattered him that she had discerned that he must acquiesce. “You shall have your own way,” he laughed amusedly, “but if I call you ‘Hey, there,’ don’t be surprised.” “I won’t,” she smiled. When they had finished the last of the tea he got up, washed the two dishes at the stream, and relit the ashes of last night’s pipe. “The Committee of Ways and Means will now go into executive session,” he began. “I haven’t the least idea where we are. I may have traveled ten miles yesterday or twenty. I’ve lost my bearings, that’s sure, and so have you. There are two things to do—one of them is to find our way out by ourselves and the other is to let somebody find it for us. The first plan isn’t feasible until you are able to walk——” “I could manage with my crutch.” “No, I’m afraid that won’t do. There’s no use starting off until we know where
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