The Story of Porcelain | Page 6

eyes open at
dinner."
"Can't you tell me about Greek pottery some other time, sir?" asked
Theo.

"I'd be glad to, sonny," Mr. Croyden returned. "I never dreamed a boy
would be interested in such a dull subject."
"It isn't dull when you tell it," came naively from Theo.
"That is the biggest compliment I ever had in my life," exclaimed the
fisherman with pleasure. "You shall hear more of Greek pottery
to-morrow if by that time you still want to. Good-night. The most
beautiful thing I can wish you is that you dream of Greek vases all
night long."

[Illustration]
CHAPTER II
MR. CROYDEN KEEPS HIS PROMISE
When Theo awoke the next day the novelty of his surroundings drove
every thought of Greek pottery from his mind. As he peeped out of his
window he could see slanting rifts of early sunlight flecking with gold
the trunks of the great pines. From the chimney of the cookhouse a
spiral of blue smoke was ascending and as it rose it carried into the air
with it a pleasant odor of burning wood and frying bacon.
Theo did not dally with his dressing, you may be sure; he was far too
hungry, and too eager to attack the program for the day.
"Put on thick boots, son," called Dr. Swift from his room. "The weather
is fine. It is an ideal morning to tramp across Owl's Nest Carry and fish
in the lake beyond there."
"What time is it, Father?" inquired Theo. "I forgot to wind my watch
last night."
"Six o'clock. We shall have a three mile walk, and plenty of time to get
in some fishing before the sun is high. Then we can paddle up-stream
to the camp at the farther end of Owl Lake and cook our lunch. How

does that plan please you?"
"Hurrah!" cried Theo. "Is there a camp like this over there?"
"Oh, no. Just a lean-to which serves as a shelter, if people want to
spend the night and be on hand for early morning fishing. Sometimes,
too, I have gone over in the late afternoon and fished until dark,
afterward turning in on the pine boughs for the night. It is only a crude
little camp, but it is perfectly comfortable. You will like Owl Lake. It is
smaller than this one, but it has a very pretty shore bordered with a
stretch of white sandy beach."
"It must be a great place for swimming."
"It is. Just now, however, the water is too cold. Later in the season
when things get warmed up it is the finest bathing place imaginable.
Are you ready for breakfast now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you'd better run along. I will join you in a few moments. I must
go first and see Manuel about the lunch."
"All right, sir."
Through the crisp morning air Theo bounded across to the dining-cabin,
where he found Mr. Croyden.
A bright fire burned on the hearth and the table with its heaping plates
of hot johnny-cake looked most inviting.
"Hello, youngster!" called the older man, glancing up with a smile.
"How do you find yourself to-day? All lamed up after your jolt over the
carry?"
"Not a bit, Mr. Croyden," laughed Theo. "I'm not lame at all. I'm just
hungry."
"A perfectly normal condition. So long as you can eat I guess there is

not much the matter with you."
"Oh, I can always eat," grinned Theo. "Mother says my appetite never
goes back on me."
"Well, fall to. It looks as if Franz had prepared for the worst," chuckled
Mr. Croyden. "What are you and your dad up to to-day?"
"We are going to Owl Lake to fish."
"That isn't a bad beginning. It is not a long tramp, and the fish are
biting well over there. I have tried it several times and had excellent
luck. You are wise to start in gradually and not attempt too long a jaunt
at first. There is everything in getting into training, as your father well
knows."
There was a bang of the door, and Dr. Swift entered.
"Good-morning, Doctor," said Mr. Croyden. "So you and your son are
to try your skill at Owl to-day?"
"Yes. That seemed to be a good starter."
"An excellent one."
"Why don't you come along with us?"
"I?"
"Yes; that is, unless you have other plans. We should be glad to have
you. The more the merrier."
"I wish you would come, Mr. Croyden," urged Theo.
"That is very kind of you," returned Mr. Croyden, hesitating a little. "I
had not planned my day. Are you sure you want so many?"
"Three is not many. Come along, by all means," declared Dr. Swift.
"Manuel says the lake has not yet been fished much and that the