“Since I have been here and have seen how things stand and have thought the matter well over, I have begun to think that there might, after all, be a place for you in this hospital work. I know that I will be sent home in the spring, for a month, on some business for the Medical Department, and it is possible—remember, I make no promises—it is possible that I may consider taking you back with me.”
Hugh looked up from his letter to tell the good news to his friend, but did not speak, so struck was he by the odd expression on Oscar’s face. His eyes shone in a way that the boy had never seen before, while there was about him the air of suppressing some excited secret.
“What is it?” Hugh cried.
“I will show you,” returned the other.
He opened the door into the main room and went in, Hugh following, filled with curiosity and wonder. As they crossed the cabin, he caught Oscar’s sleeve and began to tell him of Half-Breed Jake.
“We will speak of that later,” was the answer. “Put on your coat, come quickly.”
They went outside into the clear, glittering cold: how good it seemed after the close, dark little shack! Oscar led Hugh across the clearing, in the opposite direction from his own house, along the ridge that ran down to the lake. The sun was very bright, the air absolutely still. He stopped where the ground was so open that they could see out across the forest.
“Look,” he said, and pointed.
Crowning the top of the next hill stood a giant pine that towered high above its fellows. As Hugh watched, its branches commenced to tremble, although never a breath of wind was stirring. The whole tree began to rock and sway, to bow forward as though shaken by a furious gale; then with a roar that sounded through the whole valley, it fell crashing and disappeared.
“Oscar,” cried Hugh, “what does it mean?”