Margaret's voice was gentle and she said, "Very well, Jimmy! But where have you come from?"
"I started, about a week since, from our bark shack across the range, but I don't know much about it. The Indian's at my ranch and can hold out until the morning. I want to borrow some cartridges and food."
"Why of course!" said Margaret and indicated a chair. "I'll get supper ready. Father's at the depot, but we won't wait for him."
Jimmy got into the chair; for he imagined he did not sit down gracefully. The deerskin was soft and his head went back against the rail. Now he was not forced to keep going, he knew he was very tired. Margaret began to move about and by and by he asked: "Can't I help?"
Margaret looked up with a smile. "No, Jimmy. I have not much use for the help you could give."
Jimmy was satisfied to rest. He was dull, but he liked to see Margaret break up the fire and carry about the plates. She was very graceful and he knew her sympathetic, but this was not all. After the lonely bush, the ranch kitchen, lighted by the snapping flames, was like home. When supper was ready it cost him something of an effort to pull around his chair, and then for a time he tried to conquer his savage appetite. When one was opposite an attractive girl one did not eat like a wolf. Margaret knew the bush and smiled.
"Isn't the food good? I really think I can cook."
"My notion is, the best hotel cook in Canada could not serve a supper like yours."
"Very well," said Margaret "If you are polite, you will annoy me. What did you eat in the bush?"
"Salmon! When I see a river, I want to go the other way."