As they were ready to start, Elsie again took her place beside Curtis, but Lawson insisted on sitting behind with Jennie. "It's hard luck, Parker, to have to sit with your wife," he said, compassionately.
"Oh, well! I'm used to disappointments," Parker replied, in resigned calm.
Elsie felt the need of justifying herself. "Are you complaining? Am I the assistant driver, or am I not? If I am, here is where I belong."
"When I was coaching in Scotland once—" began Lawson.
"Oh, never mind Scotland!" interrupted Elsie. "See that chain of peaks? Aren't they gorgeous! Do we camp there?"
"Yes," replied Curtis. "Just where that fan-shaped belt of timber begins, I hope to set our tent. The agency is just between those dark ridges."
"It is strange," Elsie said, after a pause. "Last year I was wondering at everything; now I am looking for familiar things."
"That is the second stage," he answered. "The third will be sympathy."
"What will the fourth be?"
"Affection."