"We leave the stream here and climb the hill to the left. I must wade and carry you across this place if you're not afraid?"
"Who's afraid?" she asked with scorn.
"All right."
He removed his shoes, and rolled his trousers high.
"Now your arm around my neck, and no jumping or screaming until we're safe on the other shore."
She hesitated just an instant, blushed, and slipped her soft round arm about his neck as he lifted her slight figure and began to pick his way across the treacherous surface of the slippery bottom. His foot slipped on a muddy stone. She gave a scream, and both arms gripped his neck in sudden fear. Her burning cheek pressed his forehead.
"I beg your pardon," she cried, blushing red. "I didn't mean to smother you."
"And I distinctly said no jumping or screaming, didn't I?"
"I won't do it again—oh, dear!"
Again both arms clasped his neck in a strangling, smothering hug, which he purposely prolonged with an extra slip which might have been avoided.