"Have you been there all afternoon alone with Rachel?"
"Yes," returned Bee simply.
"Child, you must not stay there alone. Let me watch with you."
"Father, please go away," pleaded Bee. "I don't mind being alone; at least not now," she added honestly. "It would break my heart if you should have the small pox."
"Think of yourself, my daughter. You may have it, too."
"It is too late to think of that, father. There is no need for you to run such a risk. I don't want you to do it."
"Beatrice, this is nonsense!" exclaimed her father sharply. "I won't have you there alone, open the door instantly!"
"Dear, dear father, please go away. Do not ask me to let you in, for I will not," said the girl pleadingly, steeling her heart against the solicitude in his voice which, despite his gruffness, was plainly evident.
"Hello!" called the bluff, cheery accents of a man from somewhere without. "What are you doing here, sir? Don't you know that there is small pox in this cabin?"