"I am not going, mon pere!"

It sometimes was the first time Nepeese had ever exclaimed that to Pierrot--in justthat way. It thrilled him. And he could scarcely face the look in hereyes. He was not good at bluffing. She saw what was inside his face; itseemed to him that she was reading what was inside his mind, and that shegrew a little taller as she stood there. Certainly her breath camequicker, and he could look at the throb of her breast. Nepeese did not waitfor him to gather speech.

"I am not going!" she repeated with even greater finality, and bentagain over Baree.

With a shrug of his shoulders Pierrot watched her. After all, was henot glad? Would his heart not have turned sick if she had been ecstatic atthe thought of leaving him? He moved to her side and with greatgentleness laid a arm on her glossy head. Up from under it the Willowsmiled at him. Between them they heard the click of Baree's jaws as herested his muzzle on the Willow's arm. For the first time in months theworld seemed suddenly filled with sunshine for Pierrot. When he wentback to the cabin he held his head higher. Nepeese would not leave him!He laughed softly. He rubbed his arms together. His fear of the factorfrom Lac Bain was gone. From the cabin door he looked back at Nepeeseand Baree.