"Oh, why don't I go!" thought Colina despairingly.

It was Ambrose who eased the tension by saying comfortably: "It's a
great experience to travel alone. Your senses seem to be more
alert--you take in more."

He went on to tell her about his trip, and Colina lulled to security
almost before she knew it was recounting her own journey in the
preceding autumn. It was astonishing when they stuck to ordinary
matters--how like old friends they felt. Things did not need to be
explained.

It provided Colina with a good opportunity to retire. She rose.

Ambrose's face fell absurdly. "Must you go?" he said.

"I suppose I will meet you officially--later," she said.

He raised a pair of perplexed eyes to her face. "I never thought about
an introduction," he said quite humbly. "You see we never had any
ladies up here."

In the light of his uncertainty Colina felt more assured. "Oh, we're
sufficiently introduced by this time," she said offhand.

"But--what should I do at the fort?" he asked. "How can I see you
again?"

She smiled with a touch of scorn at his simplicity. "That is for you