He knew that it was for the sake of having him there in just such an emergency as this fire that the government paid him a salary.

Headlong as was his nature, there was in him the quality of being loyal to a trust.

He could make all preparations for leaving--but until the fire was out and the forest safe for the time being, he could not go.
Then, quite early the next day, Marion herself came up the trail with three movie magazines and a loaf of bread that she had purloined from Kate's makeshift pantry.

On this day she was not so frivolous, but helpful and full of sympathy.

Jack could not believe that she had told his secret to Kate; and because he could not believe it he asked her point blank whether Kate had come spying up there deliberately, and was vastly reassured by Marion's vehement denial.
They worked out a heliograph code that day, and they planned an exploring trip to Taylor Rock the next time Jack was relieved.