I should say then, strictly between you and me, Kate, that this fire may be looked upon privately as an asset." The hammock gave an extra swing and then stopped.

Kate, being somewhat sensitive to a third presence when she and the professor were talking together, looked fixedly at the hammock.
"If you are awake, dear, it would be tremendously thoughtful to let the professor have the hammock for a while.

He is utterly exhausted from fighting fire all night," she said with sugar-coated annoyance in her tone.
"Oh, don't disturb her--I'm doing very well here for the present," the professor made feeble protest when Marion showed no sign of having heard the hint.

"Let the child sleep." "The child certainly needs sleep, if I am any judge," Kate snapped pettishly, and closed her lips upon further revelations.

"Shall I poach you some eggs?
And then if the child continues to sleep, I suppose we can bring your cot out under the trees.