ready with laughter, ready with words, and always more than ready
for flirtation. He admitted that he liked to flirt; his gay daring
had quite carried Anne's citadel, and had even gained Alix's
grudging response. Cherry had not been at home when Martin first
appeared in Mill Valley, and the older girls had written her,
visiting friends in Napa, that she must come and meet the new man.

Martin was a mining engineer: he had been employed in a Nevada
mine, but was visiting his cousin in the valley now before going
to a new position in June. In its informal fashion, Mill Valley
had entertained him; he had tramped to the big forest five miles
away with the Stricklands, and there had been a picnic to the
mountain-top, everybody making the hard climb except Peter Joyce,
who was a trifle lame, and perhaps a little lazy as well, and who
usually rode an old horse, with the lunch in saddle-bags at each
side. Alix formulated her theories of platonic friendships on
these walks; Anne dreamed a foolish, happy dream. Girls did marry,
men did take wives to themselves, dreamed Anne; it would be
unspeakably sweet, but it would be no miracle!

And Anne, always busy and happy and helpful, was more so than
ever, unpacking the delicious lunch, capably arranging for
everybody's comfort and pleasure, looking up with innocent
surprise when Martin bent over her as she fussed and rearranged
baskets.

"I thought YOU were gathering wood!"

"Did you, indeed? Let the other fellows do that. I shan't be here
forever, and I'm privileged."