Whom have you out from Lac Bain?"
"No one," replied Jan. "It must have been the new agent from
Churchill. We expect him early this winter. Shall we hurry back,
Melisse, and see if he has brought our books and violin-strings?"
"You must have dinner with me," objected Ledoq.
Jan caught a quick signal from Melisse.
"Not to-day, Ledoq. It's early, and we have a lunch for the trail.
What do you say, Melisse?"
"If you're not tired, Jan."
"Tired!"
He tossed the last package from the sledge and cracked his long whip
over the dogs' backs as they both cried out their farewell to the
little Frenchman.
"Tired!" he repeated, running close beside her as the team swung
lightly back into the trail, and laughing down into her face. "How
could I ever get tired with you watching me run, Melisse?"
"I wouldn't mind if you did--just a little, Jan. Isn't there room for
two?"
She gave a coquettish little shrug of her shoulders, and Jan leaped
upon the moving sledge, kneeling close behind her.
"Always, always, I have to ask you!" she pouted. "You needn't get too
near, you know, if you don't want to!"
The old, sweet challenge in her voice was irresistible, and for a
moment Jan felt himself surrendering to it. He leaned forward until
his chin was buried in the silken lynx fur of her coat, and for a
single breath he felt the soft touch of her cheek against his own.
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