“See how quiet he is when you hold him, Joan!”

“Oh,” muttered Joan again. The distress of the problem made her wrinkle her forehead. She turned to Kate for help.

“Munner, what'll I do?”

“You'd best stay here until the puppy is strong enough to go with you.”

She kept her voice well under control; it would not do to show the slightest emotion, and now she sat down and half turned away from the child. With her eyes she flashed a signal at the two troubled men and they followed her lead. Their center of vision was now upon the fire. It left Joan, to all appearances, quite out of notice.

“Oh, that'll be a long, long time, munner.”

“Only a little while, Joan.”

“But Daddy Dan'll be lonesome up there.”

“He has Satan and Bart to keep him company.”

“Don't you think he wants Joan, munner?”