"We were badly frightened when the storm came on," said Mrs. Wilbur. "It blew so hard and lightened so repeatedly we did not know what to make of it."
"Jasper had a fit," put in little Bertie. "He was so scared he fell in a heap."
"Bertie!" said his mother reprovingly, but she had to smile, for the little fellow had told the exact truth.
"It's going to make a big difference up here among the loggers," said Owen. "There won't be nearly so much cut next season as last."
"That will be hard on you, won't it?" questioned the lady.
"We don't know yet—we've got to wait until the foreman hears from Mr. Paxton."
The pair were invited by Mrs. Wilbur to dine at the lodge, but declined, for neither felt that his dress was suitable for the occasion. She noticed their embarrassment and did not press them, but insisted on their coming again when Mr. Wilbur was there.
"He will wish to thank you, as I have done, for saving the children," said she.
On the return to the Paxton camp, the two walked through the woods to take note of what portion had been touched by the fire. They reported their findings to Gilroy, and the foreman afterward told Mr. Paxton.
When the owner arrived he considered the situation for several days, and held a consultation with several other timber-land owners. The result of this conference was that the building of the road to the lake was abandoned; and all work in the camp came, for the time being, to an end.