Tom remained up there until the loud halloos of his companions informed him that breakfast was ready.

The forester returned to his camp slowly and thoughtfully.
"Find anything up there ?" questioned Hippy, giving him a quick glance of inquiry.
Tom nodded.
"The tents ?" asked Elfreda.
"Naturally not up there," he replied, sitting down on a blanket and taking the plate of bacon that Elfreda handed to him.
"Out with it," laughed Grace.

"It always is reflected in your face when there is anything weighty on your mind." "Having something on one's mind is more than all of us can boast," chortled Hippy.

"I might mention names were it not that I am too polite to do so," he added, grinning at Emma, who flushed.
"At least I did not get my ears boxed," she retorted.

"Mrs.Shafto served you just right, though I think we all regret that, while about it, she did not make a finished job of it." "That subject is closed," reminded Miss Briggs.
"Hippy, don't you say another word," warned Nora Wingate, and, after the laugh had subsided, they looked at Tom.
"I went up to examine the skidway," he said.