6 WILD BROTHER 



ears numb with the biting frost, I reluctantly 

 picked up my suit-case and camera material, and 

 trudged along through the snow to the village inn. 

 luckily not very far away. The door was locked, 

 but a light shining through a side window showed 

 that someone was stirring inside. Through the 

 frost-coated glass I caught a glimpse of a freckle- 

 faced, tousle-headed boy, busily engaged in sweep- 

 ing the office floor. A knock on the window-pane 

 and a shout soon brought him to the door. 



"Why, Mr. Underwood !" he exclaimed in aston- 

 ishment, as he saw me kicking my frozen toes on the 

 door-sill. "We warn't expectin' you this mornin'. " 



"Didn't you get my telegram saying I was com- 

 ing to-day ?" I asked. 



"Yep," he drawled, "we got your dispatch, but 

 yer letter come the day after and yer letter said 

 yer wouldn't be here till the day after to-morrow, 

 and yer see that ain't to-day. But come on in and 

 git warm," he added. " Breakfast '11 be ready by 

 half-past six." 



It was then half-past five. The big balloon- 

 shaped corrugated stove shone red with heat. I sat 

 down within its warm glow and, leaning back in 

 my chair, with my feet on the encircling iron 

 fender, I was soon dull with drowsy comfort, pleas- 

 antly dreaming of the little bear in the warm 

 lumber-camp. 



