off, especially in summer, so I could go home or out upon the river.
Can you row?" she suddenly asked.

"A little," was the reply.

"That's good. Now, look, I'm going to take you out in the boat next
Saturday, and you're going to meet somebody there you'll like."

"Somebody I like," David repeated. "Who is it?"

"It's a woman, that's who it is. But I'm not going to tell you her
name. She only came here last week, and she is so fond of the water,
and spends so much time upon it. Oh, you'll like her when you see her.
She's a beauty, with such lovely eyes and dark hair. And she's not a
bit stuck up, either. She just talks in a friendly way, and makes you
feel easy all over. There, now, I guess you'd better pile some more
wood. I have a bit of work to do, and when I'm through I'll come out
and give you a hand. I like to be with you. I know we're going to be
friends."

The girl rose, and was about to leave. She paused, however, and looked
inquiringly into the old man's face.

"Do you smoke?" she asked.

Into David's eyes came an eager expression, which Betty was not slow to
see.

"I know you do," she cried, "but you have no tobacco."