She flushed a little and turned to Mr. Gillies.
“When does the next train for Montreal leave the Canadian Sault?”
“Aboot a minute past noon.”
There was plenty of time, and so they all had breakfast. After that they returned to the Duckling, where Marvin committed to the Scotchman both the launch and the tent, the one to be delivered in due time to its owner, the other to be struck for the present but pitched again when the camper should return.
The doctor smiled at the adventure and went with them to see the traveler off. Marvin sat silent beside the Scotchman, but he could hear behind him the laughing voice of the girl he loved. She was utterly different from the stranger he had tried to fathom the night before. With exquisite swiftness she met every thought of the Red Leaf and of the old scholar, combining with them both.
At the foot of the rapids all the party except her said good-by and waited in the launch. But she walked up with him to the station and stood waiting while the train approached from the west, advancing through mid-air against the blue sky and above the white foam.
“Ojeeg’s affairs will proceed as planned.”
“Won’t it be splendid! The Little Pine will be off to school before you get back from England. Sometime, several years from now, you must come back to us and see how he has grown.”
He took her hand, and the warm electric mystery flowed through them.
“Jean,” said he softly, “you ought to melt right now.”