Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/146

 was invisible. It was growing colder and colder, the wind coming in icy gusts and the roar  of the flooded stream becoming louder as darkness fell. Hugh worked actively all afternoon, as much for the sake of keeping warm and occupied, as for what he might accomplish. He had a generous store of wood to reward him for his  heavy toil when at last it grew so late that he  could see to wield the ax no longer. He walked heavily back to the cabin, wet and weary and  wishing that Oscar would come home. In the shelter of the trees he had not noticed the wind  and was amazed at its strength when he crossed  the open ridge and ran for the cabin door.

On looking at the clock he realized that he had spent more time in the forest than he had intended and that he must make haste about his evening tasks. The fire was nearly out and did not wish to burn, for the wood was wet and the wind,  whistling down the chimney, filled the room with  sparks and smoke. He grew impatient and irritated at last, kicked the logs into place and received in return such a puff of ashes in his face