“His birthday,” explained Donald. “He is going to invite the Wainwrights and John Hillier. And besides,” he added, “I think he wants to show the old trapper that he can do a little fancy cooking himself.”
Janet Rennie could not interpret the inner urge that prompted her to arise at an early hour the next morning to drive her brother to the wharf. It rather bewildered her—made her ashamed of herself that she could not put Donald from her mind entirely. “Why can’t you forget him?” she asked herself in protest for the thousandth time. As the boat pulled away from the dock she waved an adieu and, with a troubled look in her eyes, swung her car cityward.
For two days after their return to the mountains, their little cabin was a hive of industry. Andy banished his fellow-lodgers to the outdoors at every opportunity while he performed mysterious rites over the small stove. “I’ll show that juggling old pirate what a real meal is like,” he chuckled to himself.
Their guest arrived late in the afternoon and sat outside in the warm sun while Andy busied himself behind the closed door.
Old John’s face shone from the vigorous application of soap and towel. His sole change in attire for the occasion was a clean buckskin coat from the breast pocket of which protruded the corner of a red silk handkerchief.
Connie’s abundant golden hair had been carefully brushed, and hung over her shoulders in glistening, billowy waves that reached to her waist-line. She seated herself a short distance from the party and took no part in the conversation. This was her first social affair and she felt ill at ease. Donald’s repeated attempts to break her reserve were answered in monosyllables.
The door opened to disclose a remarkable figure framed in the entrance. Andy stood before them in the most ridiculous make-up of a butler. An old black coat of Gillis’s, cut off at the sides to form a “claw-hammer,” hung loosely over his narrow shoulders; side-whiskers of tree moss were stuck to his cheeks, and his face was as stolid as a graven image.
“Dinner is now being served in the main dining-’all, me lord,” he intoned slowly.
They applauded Andy’s effort heartily, and as they laughingly entered the cabin a scene met their eyes that was remarkably incongruous amid such drab surroundings.