"Now," said Sewell, whose astonishment was evident, "I think I
understand. There can scarcely be many girls capable of doing what you
have done."
Hetty made a little sign of impatience. "Yes, there are--lots of them.
Of course, you think all women are silly--you're only a man. Besides,
Tom pinched me. But why are you stopping here and talking? Go and bring
him."
Both Leger and Sewell went, and Tomlinson came back with them. He was
haggard and ragged, and his thin jean garments were hard with the frozen
snow-dust. He dropped into the nearest chair and blinked at them.
"Yes," he said, "I'm here and 'most starving. Get me something to eat,
and I'll try to tell you."
They gave him what they had, and he ate ravenously, while Hetty's eyes
softened as she watched him.
"You have had a hard time?" she said.
"Yes," answered the man slowly, "I guess I had. I got stuck up in the
range. Couldn't make anything of the gorge in the loose snow. Tried to
crawl up over the ice track and dropped through. Burst the pack-straps
getting out, and don't know where most of the grub and one blanket went
to. It was the bigger packet. That was why I had to come back. I don't
quite know how I made the valley."
"When did you lose the grub?" asked Sewell.
Tomlinson shook his head. "I don't quite know," he said. "I guess it
must have been 'most three weeks ago."
Leger looked at Sewell, for that was quite sufficient to give point to
the bald narrative.
"What was in the smaller package would scarcely keep a man in health a
week," he said. "I'm not going to keep you talking, Tomlinson,
but--although it's fortunate you did so--why did you stop outside
instead of coming in?"
"I saw a man," said Tomlinson. "I figured it wouldn't be wise to show
myself until I was sure of him. Then when I crawled up to the shanty I
didn't seem to remember anything. I only wanted to get in."
He stopped, and looked at Leger. "I can't push on to-night--I'm 'most
used-up, but I'm not going to stay here and make trouble for you. I'll
light out again to-morrow."
"You are going to lie down and sleep now," said Hetty severely. "We'll
decide what is the wisest thing to do to-morrow, but you shan't leave
the shanty for a day or two, anyway. No, I'm not going to listen to
anything. He's to sleep in the store, Tom."
Tomlinson appeared desirous of protesting, but Leger laid a hand on his
shoulder and led him into an outbuilt room.