“Now go out and bring in some wood. More small sticks. Not the big ones.”
156XII
THE WOLF AT THE DOOR
During dinner, which occurred at noon, there were fewer words that day, and with somewhat more reflection than was usual. The store of provisions now rapidly disappearing, together with no prospect of immediate escape, furnished rich material for thought. Both knew the raft might prove a treacherous reliance. Instead of landing them on the opposite bank of the river there were excellent chances of its carrying them out to sea. And the prevailing westerly wind was almost sure to drive them backward to the east again. Pats had been all over this so many times in his own mind, and with Elinor, that the subject was pretty well exhausted. But still, from habit, he speculated.
157“A penny for your thoughts.”
He raised his eyes, and as they met her own his habitual cheerfulness returned. “My thoughts are worth more than that, for I was thinking of you.”
“Something bad?”
“I was wondering how many days you could foot it through the wilderness before giving out.”
“For ever, little Patsy, if you were with me.”