"The sixteenth has been the best birthday of all," she said happily. "Are you quite tired out, Grandmother?"
And Mrs. Clyde, bending to kiss the glowing face upturned to her, replied: "No, dear. It has been a beautiful party. But I'm glad for all our sakes that Blue Bonnet Ashe has but one birthday a year!"
CHAPTER XX
CONFERENCES
It was well on towards noon before any one in either the house or tent was stirring. Blue Bonnet and Ruth were the first to open their eyes, and they carried on a conversation in whispers for some time before waking the others.
Ruth looked around the six beds in the nursery and smiled. "It looks like a ward in a hospital, doesn't it?"
"Pretty healthy looking invalids in them," Blue Bonnet replied. "Look what red cheeks Kitty has."
Ruth raised herself and leaned on one elbow, peering at the unconscious Kitty. "Red as fire. Doesn't she look funny?"
"Makes her hair look pale!" laughed Blue Bonnet. All at once, as she studied the face that looked a brilliant scarlet against the white pillow, the smile faded from her face. "Ruth, come here," she said in a queer tone.