It did not take the boys long to dress and prepare for breakfast.
Bill Rodney, the rancher, greeted the boys heartily, his free and easy manner making them feel that they were quite welcome.
“Sorry I had to stow you chaps the way I did, but every room in the old ranch was filled,” he said. “If I’d known in advance that you were comin’, I’d had better accommerdations for yer.”
“We couldn’t have asked for anything better,” declared Frank, pleasantly. “I didn’t know but you might think it an imposition for us to come the way we did, as——”
“My little gal asked ye, didn’t she? Well, that settled it. What Sadie does goes on this ranch, you bet! If she invited the whole of Texas here, I’d do my best to entertain ’em. There’ll be a few people here before night, and I want you chaps to sail right in and have the best time you can. Come on to breakfast.”
They entered the big, low dining-room, trooping in after their host.
There were seats at the long table for twelve persons, and Toots had asked the privilege of showing them how a real “cullud ge’man” could wait on the party. This privilege had been granted, and he had disappeared to the kitchen.
Inza and Miss Abigail Gale were on hand to greet the boys, and then, one by one, the lads were introduced to a very pretty girl in a morning gown.
This was Sadie Rodney, the rancher’s daughter, with whom Inza had become acquainted in Italy.
“Goodness!” exclaimed Miss Abigail; “what a crowd of men! It really makes me feel timid!”