“I have never tried to fly,” replied Tavia, feeling very silly, “but lots of people have gone crazy over it.”

The moment she had said “crazy” she felt that she had made a mistake.  The girl turned on her as if to strike her.

“Crazy!  You call flying crazy!  It’s crazy to walk, crazy to stand, but it is noble to fly!” and again she worked her arms bird-like.

For the moment Tavia felt like running away.  Then she thought that would not be wise, for how did she know but that the girl might have the strength they say insane people have; and that she might hit her with a stone, or do something to injure her?  Besides, it seemed better to be with her than alone in that woods.  Tavia decided she would humor her.

“Of course, we shall all fly, some day,” she said, as the girl turned almost upon her.  “I would love to learn how!”

“You shall!  I will teach you!  My airship is not far away.”

“Do you know the road to Everglade?” asked Tavia, without the slightest hope of getting an intelligent answer.

“Why, yes; Everglade?” and her eyes set more deeply.  “I have a friend in camp out that way.”

In camp!  Then she was not altogether insane, for there were many campers at Everglade.

“Yes,” said Tavia, “so have I. We can walk along together.”

This seemed to satisfy the girl, and she did start to tramp along.  Tavia noticed how neatly she was dressed, and did not fail to see a beautiful chain and ornament about her slender white throat.

“But it’s a long way,” spoke the girl.  “My name is Bird of Paradise.  What might yours be?”

“Betsy Dixon,” replied Tavia aptly.  “Yours is a much prettier name.  May I call you Birdie?”

“Certainly, and I shall call you Betty.  I have a friend named Betty.”

For some moments they walked along in silence.  The two girls were as different in dress and manner as were Dorothy and Tavia, and the latter noticed how much like Dorothy the strange girl was.  About the same height, same colored hair, and the same deep, blue eyes.

“Are there no houses near here?” asked Tavia.  “I am afraid night will catch us soon.”

“Oh, yes, there is a hotel over that ledge.  It is there I am taking you.”

Tavia hoped it was true.  She had passed through the stage of sensitiveness, and was now only anxious to get somewhere or near somewhere, for the night.  She had made up her mind that she would ask the first person she met to help her, with money or by directing her to shelter.  There was no longer any doubt as to her distress—­night was coming and she was almost worse than alone, and in the woods.

The girl in white walked along humming now, waving her arms every time a bird passed, and when she did speak to Tavia her remarks seemed more rambling than ever.

“We seem miles from every place,” remarked Tavia weakly.  “I do wish——­”