The next day John went over to Patterson's. Mrs. Forest and Eva, with that strong recuperative force found among people who live in the woods, had recovered from the effect of the excitement of the previous night.
"Let us walk over and look at the ruins," said John, addressing Eva.
"There is but little to look at," she replied, "but we will go."
They spoke but few words as they crossed the fields, but each one felt that the other was not unhappy. The leaves on the running brier were red, and the velvety top of the sassafras sprout was cool to the touch.
There was nothing left of the old house but a few smoldering chunks. John and Eva sat down on a log that had served as a horse-block.
"It would have been a great disappointment to me, Eva, if your books had not been saved."
"Yes," she replied, "but they were not worth so great a risk."
"Oh, the risk was nothing. All that was required was a little activity."
They were silent for some time, and then John remarked: