cussed back, but he did not like the sound of his
voice, for all that, and so threatened mildly to brain
him if he got out of bed again without wrapping a
blanket or something around him.

Thoroughly awakened by this little exchange of
civilities, Bud started a fire in the stove and made
coffee for Cash, who drank half a cup quite meekly.
He still had that tearing cough, and his voice was no
more than a croak; but he seemed no worse than he
had been the night before. So on the whole Bud
considered the case encouraging, and ate his break-
fast an hour or so earlier than usual. Then he went
out and chopped wood until he heard Lovin Child
chirping inside the cabin like a bug-hunting meadow
lark, when he had to hurry in before Lovin Child
crawled off the bunk and got into some mischief.

For a man who was wintering in what is called
enforced idleness in a snow-bound cabin in the moun-
tains, Bud Moore did not find the next few days hang-
ing heavily on his hands. Far from it.

-226-