"And you leave your grub behind, to be eaten by a lot of—"
"I can't stand here argyfying with the thermometer down to—" The Boy began to drag the sled over the snow.
"Come back into the cabin."
"No."
"Come with me, I say; I've got something to propose." Again the Colonel stood in front, barring the way. "Look here," he went on gently, "are you a friend of mine?"
"Oh, so-so," growled the Boy. But after looking about him for an angry second or two, he flung down the rope of his sled, walked sulkily uphill, and kicked off his snow-shoes at the door of the cabin, all with the air of one who waits, but is not baulked of his purpose. They went in and stripped off their furs.
"Now see here: if you've made up your mind to light out, I'm not going to oppose you."
"Why didn't you say anything as sensible as that out yonder?"
"Because I won't be ready to go along till to-morrow."
"You?"