She took the bucket, and went to the spring. Frank looked ashamed, but continued silent. He drew up a billet of wood and sat upon it, pushing his feet towards the fire, and spreading out his hands, for the want of something else to do. By the time Mary returned from the spring, Robert and Harold came from the tent. They had retired late and weary the night before, and as a natural consequence had overslept their usual time for rising. "What is that we heard you and Frank talking about?" Robert asked of Mary.
"Inquire of Frank," she replied; "I prefer that he should tell you."
"Well, Frank, what was it?"
"Nothing," he answered, doggedly, "except that sister wanted me to go to the spring, and I told her I was afraid that the crabs and snakes would bite me."
"What did sister Mary want with the water?"
"To make coffee, I suppose."
"And do you not love coffee?"
"Sometimes; but I do not wish any this morning, for sister never puts in sugar enough for me."
"Well, well, we shall see who wants coffee at breakfast. Sister Mary, is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Cousin," said Harold, uniting quickly in the effort to shame Frank out of his strange caprice, "I wish you would let me too help you in some way. You are always so ready to do everything you can for us, that we are glad whenever we can do anything for you."