That meal, the last for Helen in Paradise Park, gave rise to a strange and inexplicable restraint. She had little to say. Bo was in the highest spirits, teasing the pets, joking with her uncle and Roy, and even poking fun at Dale. The hunter seemed somewhat somber. Roy was his usual dry, genial self. And Auchincloss, who sat near by, was an interested spectator. When Tom put in an appearance, lounging with his feline grace into the camp, as if he knew he was a privileged pet, the rancher could scarcely contain himself.
“Dale, it's thet damn cougar!” he ejaculated.
“He ought to be corralled or chained. I've no use for cougars,” protested Al.
“A-huh! Wal, you tell thet to the girls if you like. But not me! I'm an old hoss, I am.”
“Uncle Al, Tom sleeps curled up at the foot of my bed,” said Bo.
“Honest Injun,” she responded. “Well, isn't it so?”
Helen smilingly nodded her corroboration. Then Bo called Tom to her and made him lie with his head on his stretched paws, right beside her, and beg for bits to eat.
“Wal! I'd never have believed thet!” exclaimed Al, shaking his big head. “Dale, it's one on me. I've had them big cats foller me on the trails, through the woods, moonlight an' dark. An' I've heard 'em let out thet awful cry. They ain't any wild sound on earth thet can beat a cougar's. Does this Tom ever let out one of them wails?”
“Wal, excuse me. Hope you don't fetch the yaller rascal down to Pine.”
Dale regarded the rancher attentively. “Reckon, Al, I'll take care of them.”
Al scratched his head and gazed perplexedly at the hunter. “Wal, ain't it customary to visit friends?”
“Thanks, Al. Next time I ride down Pine way--in the spring, perhaps--I'll run over an' see how you are.”
“Spring!” ejaculated Auchincloss. Then he shook his head sadly and a far-away look filmed his eyes. “Reckon you'd call some late.”
“Al, you'll get well now. These, girls--now--they'll cure you. Reckon I never saw you look so good.”
Auchincloss did not press his point farther at that time, but after the meal, when the other men came to see Dale's camp and pets, Helen's quick ears caught the renewal of the subject.
“I'm askin' you--will you come?” Auchincloss said, low and eagerly.
“No. I wouldn't fit in down there,” replied Dale.