Flora laughed and released Jim's hand. Jim blushed and seated himself at the table.
Flora fried bacon and potatoes and boiled coffee for Jim's belated supper. She spread the table with a white cloth for him and set out cream and strawberry jam and Washington pie. She placed the hot dishes before him, poured his coffee and then sat down opposite him with her elbows on the table and her vivid face and remarkable eyes shaded a little between her hands. Jim ate with a good appetite.
In answer to a few questions, Jim told the girl about the Kettle Pond country and the trips in and out and the shooting of the moose.
Homer Steeves appeared suddenly at Flora's elbow and scowled across the table at Jim.
"I thought you had started for home long ago," said the girl.
"I ain't gone yet," he replied sullenly.
"Well, that's your name, and you'd better live up to it—Homer."
"I know my name, an' I know other folks' names—but what I want to know is if I ain't got as much right 'round here as Mel Hammond."
"Why, of course you have: he hasn't any."
"Ain't he courtin' you, Flora?"