At length he reached the point of almost quarrelling with his sister, whom he loved so dearly; but he had hardly plunged into the woods, after leaving her on the raft, before he regretted his unkind words and heartily wished them unsaid.

He hesitated and half turned back, but his "pride," as he would have called it, though it was really nothing but cowardice, was too strong to permit him to humble himself just yet.

So, feeling very unhappy, he tramped moodily on through the woods, full of bitter thoughts, angry with himself and all the world.

Yet if any one had asked him what it was all about, he could not have told.
Winn took a long circuit through the silent forest, and by the time he again reached the river-bank, coming out just above the mill, he had walked himself tired, but into quite a cheerful frame of mind.

The mill was shut down for the night, its workers had gone home, and not a sound broke the evening stillness.