Besides, no touch of sentiment marked their friendship; she accepted him as a comrade who could teach her something about lake and forest, and he was satisfied with this.
Yet he was puzzled.

It was strange that an attractive girl should wish to learn something of the bush-man's skill, but she obviously meant to do so.

Although it often cost her an effort to follow him, she would not let him turn back when they came to an angry rapid or a belt of tangled woods.

She certainly had charm besides having pluck, because when she did not go fishing young women as well as young men gathered round her on the shady lawn.

It was hard to imagine why a girl like this should practise walking long distances and combine the study of canoeing with geology.
The fortnight slipped by and on the last evening Thirlwell took Agatha out upon the lake.