"We Must be Friends!" When her father decided not to go to Akimiski, Mary spent a long morning in roaming about Seal Cove, visiting the various little houses dotted near the fish shed, and making herself thoroughly acquainted with the neighbourhood.

But when her father got into Stee Jenkin's boat, and was rowed across the river to survey the land on the farther side, Mary had herself rowed up the river, with the intention of spending the afternoon in arranging the little brown house to suit her own fancy.

The afternoon proved so warm that she decided on leaving the arranging to the next day, and sat down to write letters instead.

Even this proved a task beyond her powers, for she was more exhausted than she realized by the long journey over river and trail, and the hot day was making the fatigue felt.
One letter, short and scrappy, got itself written, and then weariness had its way.

Mary went into her little bedroom, and, lying down, went fast asleep.