“You see, it’s all I need,” he said, in simple explanation.  “When the rain comes I mostly get wet, except at nights when I get under my rubber sheet.  But, anyway, there’s plenty of sun to dry me.  Oh, winter’s different.  I cut out a dug-out then, and burrow like the rest of the forest creatures.  But, you see, this thing suits me well.  I’m never long in one place.  I’ve been here two weeks, and I pull out to-morrow.”

“You pull out?  Where to?”

“Why, I just pass on to some other camp.  The boys are pretty widely scattered in these forests.  You’d never guess the distances I sometimes make.  Even Labrador.  But it doesn’t much matter.  I’ve a good smattering of physic, and the boys are always getting hurt one way and another.  I’d hate to feel I couldn’t go to them wherever they are.  Maybe if I built a better house I’d not want to leave it.  It would be hard getting on the move.  You see, I get their call any old time.  Maybe it comes along on the forest breezes,” he said whimsically.  “Then I have to be quick to locate it, and read it right.”

The girl had helped herself to milk and sugar, and sipped the steaming coffee.  But she was listening with all her ears and thinking feverishly.  This strange creature, with his deprecating manner, and smiling, sane eyes, filled her with a sense of shame at his utter selflessness.

She nodded.

“You mean they—­always want help?”

“Sure.  Same as we all do.”

Father Adam sipped his coffee appreciatively.

“But tell me,” he said.  “It’s kind of new the Skandinavia sending a woman along up here.  It’s your first trip?”

Nancy set her cup down.

“Yes.”

“They’re a great firm,” Father Adam went on, reflectively.  “I mean the—­extent of their operations.”

Nancy smiled.

“I like the distinction.  Yes, they’re big.  You don’t like their—­methods?”

It was the man’s turn for a smiling retort.

“Their methods?” he shook his head.  “I don’t know, I guess they pay well.  And their boys are no worse treated than in other camps.  They employ thousands.  And that’s all to the good.”

“But you don’t like them,” Nancy persisted.  “I can hear it in your voice.  It’s in your smile.  Few people like the Skandinavia,” she added regretfully.

“Do you?”

Like a shot the challenge came, and Nancy found herself replying almost before she was aware of it.

“Yes.  Why shouldn’t I?  They’ve been good to me.  More than good, when those who had a right to be completely deserted me.  No.  I mustn’t say just that,” she hurried on in some contrition.  “They provided for me, but cut me out of their lives.  Maybe you won’t understand what that means to a girl.  It meant so much to me that I wouldn’t accept their charity.  I wouldn’t accept a thing.  I’d make my own way with the small powers Providence handed me.  So I went to the Skandinavia who have only shown me the best of kindness.  Well, I’m frankly out for the Skandinavia and all their schemes and methods in consequence.  It’s not for me to look into the things that make folks hate them.  That’s theirs.  My loyalty and gratitude are all for them for the thing they’ve done for me.  Isn’t that right?”