noon
They stay . '' During the meal the white boy asked a hundred questions about the vast wilderness which lay stretched out before them in a great panorama , and in which they were soon to bury themselves , and every answer added to his enthusiasm . Immediately after they had finished eating Rod expressed a desire to begin his study in snow-shoeing , and for an hour after that Wabi and Mukoki piloted him back and forth along the ridge , instructing him in this and in that , applauding when he made an especially good dash and enjoying themselves immensely when he took one of his frequent tumbles into the snow . By noon Rod secretly believed that he was becoming quite an adept . Although the day in camp was an exceedingly pleasant one for Rod , he could not but observe that at times something seemed to be troubling Wabi . Twice he discovered the Indian youth alone within the shelter sitting in silent and morose dejection , and finally he insisted upon an explanation . `` I want you to tell me what the trouble is , Wabi , '' he demanded .