A covey of grouse ventured from the swamp and strutted vainly, a pause of contemplation between each step.

Radway, walking out on the tramped road of the marsh, cracked the artificial skin and thrust his foot through into icy water.

That night the sprinklers stayed in.
The devil seemed in it.

If the thaw would only cease before the ice bottom so laboriously constructed was destroyed! Radway vibrated between the office and the road.

Men were lying idle; teams were doing the same.
Nothing went on but the days of the year; and four of them had already ticked off the calendar.