Observing Mona a few moments later, Adette wondered what had happened to make her eyelashes wet with tears.
Peter understood, and his hand found Mona's and held it tenderly. With an inspiration born of words which Carter had once said to him about a girl waiting at the end of the trail, he found the opportunity to whisper, "Ask Carter to have supper with us, and also Adele."
This Mona did in her own sweet fashion, making sure of Carter first, and after his acceptance calling upon Adele to lend herself to his entertainment in a way which gave her no possible excuse for a refusal, had such a thought come into her mind. Simon looked shrewdly at Mona and Adette. Then he turned toward the green ridges to the north over which billowy white clouds were rising.
"It's going to rain," he said. "I smell it in the air. It will come tonight."
"The crops need it," said Peter.
"And most of all—the flowers," added Adele, looking at Carter.
"Yes, the flowers—and the woods," he nodded. "It is very dry in the timber for this season of the year."
Mona and Peter turned toward their cabin, and Mona's eyes shot a sly signal to Adette. Jame's wife took firm hold of Simon's arm. "If you know what is good for you—come with me!" she whispered, with her back turned to Adele and Carter.
For a moment Carter stood helplessly. Then he moved to Adele's side and they followed Mona and Peter.
"You like flowers, Miss Adele?"