Job in utter abasement offered her a limp paw. She touched it, and he
scampered back to his former place with an air of relief, and turning
his back to her lay down again. It cannot be said that his enforced
obedience made her feel any better.




CHAPTER V.

AN INVITATION TO DINE.

Lunch was not long in preparing, for the rice had been on the fire when
Colina first appeared. The young man set forth the meal as temptingly
as he could on a flat rock, and at the risk of breaking his sinews
carried another rock for Colina to sit upon. His apologies for the
discrepancies in the service disarmed Colina again.

"I am no fine lady," she said. "I know what it is to live out."

Colina was hungry and the food good. A good understanding rapidly
established itself between them. But the young man made no move to
serve himself. Indeed he sat at the other side of the rock-table and
produced his pipe.

"Why don't you eat?" demanded Colina.

"There is plenty of time," he said, blushing.