"Of course I did; any one within a mile could hear you."
"Why then didn't you answer me?"
"I was afraid to."
"Afraid of what?"
"Didn't you see him?" was the puzzling question of Nellie in return, as she stepped carefully upon the raft, helped by the extended hand of her brother.
"Nellie, stop talking in puzzles," said Nick; "I was so scared about you that I won't get over it for a week; I called to, and hunted for you, and you say you heard me; you must have known how frightened I was, and yet you stood still and never made any answer, except a minute ago, when I just managed to hear you. If you think it is right, I don't—that's all."
He turned away offended, when she said:
"Forgive me, Nick; but I was afraid to answer you."
"Afraid of what?"
"Of that bear—you must have seen him," was the astonishing answer of the girl.