Two hours and more before they need think of starting downwards for the Pool.
Louie condescended to come in again, and the stone was drawn close.
But how fierce the wind had grown, and how nipping was the air! David shivered, and looked about for the rugs.

He wrapt Louie in the horse-rug, which was heaviest, and tucked the blanket round himself.
'Howd that tight round yo,' he commanded, struck with an uneasy sense of responsibility, as he happened to notice how starved she looked, 'an goo to sleep if yo want to.

I'll wake yo--I'm gooin to read.' Louie rolled the rug round her chrysalis-like, and then, disdaining the rest of David's advice, sat bolt upright against the rock, her wide-open eyes staring defiantly at all within their ken.
The minutes went by.

David sat close up against the lantern, bitterly cold, but reading voraciously.

At last, however, a sharper gust than usual made him look up and turn restive.