LE LONG DTI SENTIEE 



carters and woodsmen who could not 

 possibly be familiar with the amenities 

 of feminine existence, but the doubts 

 were dissipated, at once and forever. 

 Politeness that erred neither in defect 

 nor excess, eager and intelligent antici- 

 pation of what might be pleasing to the 

 ladies, these disclosed themselves as 

 native and abounding qualities. The 

 good fellows vied with one another to 

 smooth the way for unaccustomed feet, 

 to improvise shelter in a shower, to give 

 the comfort of a fire or a smudge, to 

 provide balsam beds of unheard of 

 depth and softness, and warm water for 

 morning ablutions. In the chill hours 

 before the dawn a blaze was kindled be- 

 fore the ladies' tent, dry wood was al- 

 ways at their hand, berries were 

 gathered for their behoof and the rough 

 table of split logs blossomed with 

 flowers. Supererogatory acts like these 

 must be the outcome of truly gentle 



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