The man looked at her and uttered the single word: "Fried."

"Fried?" said she doubtfully.

"Only fried," was the inexorable answer. "How many?"

Le Mire turned to me, and I explained. Then she turned again to
the surly host with a smile that must have caused him to regret
his gruffness.

"Well, then, fr-r-ied!" said she, rolling the "r" deliciously.
"And you may bring me five, if you please."

It appeared that I was not the only hungry one. We ate leisurely
and smoked more leisurely still, and started on our return
journey a little before eight o'clock.

It was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the Antlers. The
trip was accomplished without accident, but Le Mire was
thoroughly exhausted and Harry was anything but fresh. That is
the worst of mountain climbing: the exaltation at the summit
hardly pays you for the reaction at the foot. We entered the
broad portico with frank sighs of relief.

I said something about joining them at dinner and left for my own
rooms.

At dinner that evening Harry was in high spirits and took great
delight in everything that was said, both witty and dull, while