"Is he the fellow that's cruising the timber up here for the state?"
"Yes."
"Humph! Why didn't you say so before?"
"I presume because you did not ask me," returned Grace demurely. "Now that you understand, won't you please sit down and have breakfast with us? We have plenty and really shall be glad to have you."
"Well, I reckon I might as well," decided the ranger, striding over and tying his horse to a sapling.
Hippy introduced him to the members of the Overland party, the ranger bowing awkwardly, but with the quiet dignity so characteristic of those who have learned their lesson from the heart of nature herself.
"Sorry, folks, that I had to be up a tree with you, but we must do our duty and protect this forest. There are not many of 'em left in these United States, and what there is, are going fast. I'll have a snack with you."
"Peace has been declared," murmured Emma.
"Keep that menagerie away! I don't like bears nosing around me any more'n I do wolves."
"Wolves!" exclaimed Nora. "We heard one last night."