human
It's no use trying any more, said Phil.
gpt
We're tuckered out and we can't see a yard ahead of us anyhow. It wasn't right for me to bring you way off here, Mary Lee, and I wish I hadn't done it.
human
It wasn't your fault any more than mine, said she.
gpt
We both started to follow the squirrel.
human
Yes, but I said I wanted to try to catch a young one, and so you went to accommodate me. If I hadn't said that you wouldn't have gone.
gpt
We might have gone after something else just the same, said the girl.
human
It is awfully dark, isn't it, Phil?
gpt
Father always carries a compass. Phil was busy with his own thoughts.
human
I wish we knew the direction we came, then I could find the North star and go by that.
gpt
But we can scarcely see the stars in here.
human
Anyhow I ought to have noticed the direction. Father says that is what one ought always to do when he is in a strange place, especially in the woods.
gpt
It's getting very cold, said Mary Lee, plaintively.
human
Do you suppose we could kindle a fire by rubbing two sticks together as the Indians do?
gpt
It wouldn't do to have a fire here if we had matches. We might set the woods on fire. We ought to get out into some open place to do that.
human
Couldn't we find one?
gpt
It's warmer here, more sheltered, you know. Are you very cold, Mary Lee? Take my coat.
human
I'll do no such thing, Mary Lee refused determinedly.
gpt
It's no colder for me than for you.
human
Then let's sit close.
gpt
I wish we had something to eat, sighed Mary Lee after a silence.
human
It will be a long time before morning. Shall you dare to go to sleep, Phil?
gpt
I--don't know.
human
Do you suppose they will try to find us?
gpt
My father will, I know.
human
What are you thinking about?
gpt
I'm trying to puzzle out about directions. Of course, the mountain is west of the town, for the sun sets behind it, so we ought to go east to get back, and we must go down-hill instead of up.
human
But we might go down-hill and go north or south.
gpt
When the sun rises, we can see that and travel toward the east.
human
We can do that unless----
gpt
What, Mary Lee?
human
Unless the bears or wildcats get us before then,
gpt
They shall not get us, he declared.
human
They are not going to. Father will find us before long.
gpt
How can he?
human
He can, and he will, said Phil confidently.
gpt
Father can do anything he sets out to do.