proper clothing for the Englishman. I had been slothful in the matter.

The clothing was stored deep, and I was bending to the search with some
shortness of breath, when the Englishman touched my shoulder.

"Is it clothing for me?"

I handed him a blanket coat for answer. "It is large, but warm," I
said, and bent again to my task.

Still he kept a hand on my shoulder. "Monsieur, I am satisfied with my
dress."

I could be putty in his hands one moment and scorn him the next.
"Nonsense!" I snapped over my shoulder.

But he clung like a gnat. "It is not nonsense. Stop a moment and
listen to my reasons."

I drew myself up reluctantly. "Well?"

He stood with arms akimbo, his head to one side. "It is as plain as a
pikestaff. In this dress I can go where you cannot. I can reconnoitre
for you. In your man's coat I should be grotesque, for it is twice my
size. I should be noticeable and draw comment on us. As it is, I can
go unobserved."

Now this was partly true. "But the presence of a woman would discredit
our canoes," I objected.