The beagles, however, were a complete success. They tumbled about, and lolled their tongues, and laughed up out of a tangle of themselves in a fascinating manner. Altogether the visit to Camp One was a success, the more so in that on the way back, for the first time, Thorpe found that chance—and Mrs. Cary—had allotted Hilda to his care.
A hundred yards down the trail they encountered Phil. The dwarf stopped short, looked attentively at the girl, and then softly approached. When quite near to her he again stopped, gazing at her with his soul in his liquid eyes.
“You are more beautiful than the sea at night,” he said directly.
The others laughed. “There's sincerity for you, Miss Hilda,” said young Mr. Morton.
“Who is he?” asked the girl after they had moved
“Our chore-boy,” answered Thorpe with great brevity, for he was thinking of something much more important.
After the rest of the party had gone ahead, leaving them sauntering more slowly down the trail, he gave it voice.
“Why don't you come to the pine grove any more?” he asked bluntly.
“Why?” countered Hilda in the manner of women.
“I want to see you there. I want to talk with you. I can't talk with all that crowd around.”