She did not look at all timid, for she had a face that was almost masculine in its sternness, and she never seemed flustered.
The rancher sat at the head of the table, with Miss Rodney at the foot, having Miss Abigail and Inza on either hand.
Frank had a seat near Inza, while Hans was placed beside the spinster.
Then Toots appeared in a white apron, and breakfast began, with the morning sunshine streaming into the windows and lighting a pleasant scene.
“Now I want you to make yourselves right at home,” said the rancher, sincerely. “We ain’t able to put on so much style here as my gal has been accustomed to away at boarding school and travelin’ abroad, but we have fodder that’s fit to eat. Now, don’t blush and shake your head at me, Sadie. It’s all right. The boys don’t expect me to put on frills, and I’d make a mess of it if I did.”
He laughed heartily, and the girl blushed all the more.
“Oh, father!” she exclaimed, reprovingly.
“Ha! ha!” laughed Rodney, in his rough, hearty manner. “I know it’s rude of me, but it’s hard to learn an old dog new tricks.”
Then he leaned over to Diamond, who sat near him, and whispered loud enough for every one present to hear him:
“Don’t you think I’ve a mighty fine gal? She’s cost me a heap of money, but I don’t care. I’d spend all I’ve got on her. Look at her! Have you got any handsomer gals than that in the East?”