"It would have been wetter if it had gone into the lake," said Seaforth.
"The lake?" said the girl.
Seaforth nodded. "Yes," he said. "It was on the Tyee trail the pony commenced kicking."
The girl looked up sharply, and there was a subdued brightness in her eyes, for she had more than once shivered when leading her horse along that perilous trail. Alton felt for his comrade's leg under the table and kicked it grievously.
"There wasn't any trouble, and the snow was soft," said he. "You're going to make a dress of that stuff, Miss Nellie?"
"Yes," said the girl. "I could, however, wish the stuff was better."
Alton smiled gravely. "Of course!" he said. "Still, it don't count for much. You would look like a picture in anything."
Nellie Townshead glanced at him sharply, and for a moment there was a faint sparkle in her eyes, for she had a trace of temper.
"Whatever made you say that?" said she.
Alton laughed. "I really don't quite know. I just felt I had to," he said with a naive simplicity. "I wouldn't have done it if I had thought it would vex you."