"I couldn't find a place that would do for camping." And she summoned her most winning smile.

It was wasted, she knew at once, for the stranger hardened perceptibly, and his lip curled slightly in scorn or anger.

In all her life Mary had never met a man so obdurate, and, moreover, she felt that he could not be wooed into a good humor.
"If you'd gone farther up the gorge," said the other, "you'd of found the best sort of a camping place--water and everything." "Then I'll go," said Mary, shrinking at the thought of the strange, cold outdoors compared with this cheery fire.

But she put on the slicker and started for the door.
At the last moment the host was touched with compunction.

He called: "Wait a minute.