"But why didn't you tell me it would be difficult ?" Weston ceased paddling a moment, and looked at her steadily.
"It's my place to do what I'm told.

Besides, you said that you didn't want to go back by the trail." A slight flush crept into Ida's face.
"Wouldn't it have been better if you had done as I wanted, and shot the fall ?" "No," said Weston resolutely, "it wouldn't have been safe." There was silence for a minute or two, and then Ida spoke again.
"I must admit that I knew the portage would be a little difficult when you were by yourself, but I didn't think it would give you quite as much trouble as it has," she said.

"Still, I think you should have told me.

After all"-- and she seemed to have some difficulty in finding the right words--"we have never asked you to do anything unreasonable." Weston understood that what she meant was that she, at least, had not treated him as a mere camp-packer, and, as she was quick to notice, the blood crept into his face.

Her manner, which was not conciliatory, had, also, an unsteadying effect on him.
"Well," he said, with a little laugh, "there are naturally two or three of my duties which I don't find particularly agreeable, but that's a very common thing, and you wouldn't expect me to point it out.