and new potatoes, not very large yet, of course. I know just what
you're doing: working hard, eating only canned stuff, skimping your
food, and ruining your digestion."

Bryant laughed. Her tone had expressed indignation, while her face was
directly accusatory.

"We seem to have fair health, don't we, Dave?" he remarked.

"You look positively thin," said she. "And as for this poor starved
shadow that you call Dave! Well, I won't say my thoughts. For a penny
I'd invite myself to dinner at your house just to see what you do
have."

At this possibility both the engineer and his young assistant
displayed signs of consternation. Under pressure of work housekeeping
had been an unimportant trifle frequently postponed; last meal's
dishes were washed while the next meal was preparing; clothes were
left where they were carelessly flung; and surveying tools, maps, and
papers littered the rooms. No, it was not a dwelling in which to
entertain a feminine guest.

"Maybe I had better go there and clear up things some," Dave stated,
uneasily. And without awaiting a reply from Bryant, he set off through
the sagebrush for the house.

Ruth began to laugh, resting her cheeks in her hands.

"That poor solemn boy, he took me seriously!" she exclaimed. "I
shouldn't come alone, of course; it wouldn't be proper--and Imo would