There was a sound of hasty packing in the Dos S ranch house that morning, and the wagon drove noisily up to the door. Rafael carried out the steamer trunks and luggage, the snake-skins, the smoky opals, the Indian baskets, the braided quirts, and all the scattered plunder that the cowboys had given Kitty and that she could not bear to leave behind. He saddled up their horses, clattering recklessly into the bunk-house where Hardy was sleeping in order to get his blankets, and still, unmindful of noise or preparation, or the friends who must say good-bye, 313 he lay sprawled on the rough blankets, dead with sleep.
Rafael kicked off the brake and started on his weary journey around Red Butte to Moreno’s, which would take him the rest of the day; Judge Ware, possessed to get out of the country before he became particeps criminis to some lawless outrage, paced restlessly up and down the ramada, waiting for the girls to get ready; and Kitty and Lucy, glancing guiltily at each other, fidgeted around in their rooms waiting for Rufus to wake up.
“I’m ready,” said Lucy at last, putting the final touches to the room which he had given up to her. “Are you, Kitty?”
Their eyes met in an uneasy stare, each wishing the other would speak.
“Yes,” said Kitty, “but––shall we go without saying good-bye?”
“What in the world are you girls waiting for?” demanded the judge, thrusting his head impatiently in at the door. “I declare, I begin to think there is something in these jokes about Adam waiting for Eve to get her hat on straight. Now please come at once or we won’t get to Moreno’s in time for supper.”
“But, father,” protested Lucy, “Kitty and I do not 314 wish to leave without saying good-bye to Rufus. Would you mind––”
“No, no!” exclaimed Judge Ware irritably, “if he chooses to sleep all day––”
“But, father!” burst out Lucy, almost tearfully, “he was so tired––he fell asleep as soon as he sat down, and I never did get him to consent to be my superintendent! Don’t you see––”
“Well, write him a note then,” directed the judge brusquely, “and leave it on his desk. Now, Lucy dear, really I’m getting so nervous I’m hardly accountable. Please hurry. And, Kitty, please hurry, too!”