Page 104 - A Little Bush Maid

"Whew-w-w!" whistled Wally.

Harry flushed a little.

"Oh steady, Norah!" he protested--"we really didn’t mean to hurt your
feelings. Tt was only an idea. T’ll admit be doesn’t look a hardened sinner."

"Well, you shouldn’t have such ideas," Norah said stoutly; "he’s a great deal
too nice, and look how kind he’s been to us! Tf he chooses to plant himself

in the bush, it’s no one’s business but his own."

"T suppose not," Harry began. He pulled up shortly as the Hermit, followed

by Jim, emerged from the tent.

The Hermit had a queer smile in his eyes, but Jim looked desperately
uncomfortable.

Jim favoured the others with a heavy scowl as he came out of the tent,
slipping behind the Hermit in order that he might deliver it unobserved. Tt

was plain enough to fill them with considerable discomfort. They
exchanged glances of bewilderment.

"T wonder what’s up now?" Wally whispered.

Jim strolled over to them as the Hermit, without saying anything, crossed to
his fireplace, and began to put some sticks together.

"You’re bright objects!" he whispered wrathfully. "Why can’t you speak
softly if you must go gabbling about other people?"

"You don’t mean to say he heard us?" Harry said, colouring.

"T do, then! We could hear every word you said, and it was jolly awkward
for me. T didn’t know which way to look."

"Was he wild?" whispered Wally.