An hour later Jan went slowly across the open to Cummins' cabin. As he paused for an instant at the door he heard a laugh that was strange to him, and when he opened it to enter he stood perplexed and undecided. Mélisse had risen from the table at the sound of his approach, and his eyes quickly passed from her flushed face to the young man who was sitting opposite her. He caught a nervous tremble in her voice when she said:
"Mr. Dixon, this is my brother, Jan."
The stranger jumped to his feet and held out a hand.
"I'm glad to know you, Cummins."
"Thoreau," corrected Jan quietly, as he took the extended hand. "Jan
Thoreau."
"Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought—" He turned inquiringly to Mélisse.
The flush deepened in her cheeks as she began to gather up the dishes.
"We are of no relation," continued Jan, something impelling him to speak the words with cool precision. "Only we have lived under the same roof since she was a baby, and so we have come to be like brother and sister."
"Miss Mélisse has been telling me about your wonderful run this morning," exclaimed the young Englishman, his face reddening slightly as he detected the girl's embarrassment. "I wish I had seen it!"
"There will be plenty of it very soon," replied Jan, caught by the frankness of the other's manner. "Our runners will be going out among the trappers within a fortnight."
"And will they take me?"