Thomas brought wood and kindled a fire. "We must be stirring," he said. "It takes a long time to get dinner."
"What are we going to have to-day for dinner?" Ellen asked.
"Deer steak, I suppose," said Catherine, laughing.
"We must have those partridges that Willis shot this morning," said Addison.
"I can catch more trout," said Thomas.
"No; let's have the trout for breakfast," remarked Theodora. "They are splendid, fresh caught, for breakfast."
Willis went to get the partridges which he had hung up in a clump of hazels, a little way back of the cabins, but immediately returned, saying that they were missing. "Some creature has smelled them and pulled them down, I guess," said he.
"Suppose it was a deer?" asked Kate.
"Keep quiet," said Tom. "You've said enough about deer."
"If she says deer again, let's tie that green deer hide over her head, Tom!" exclaimed Willis.