At his touch on her shoulder Jessica roused. Her sleep had refreshed her, though she was still somewhat confused.
“Oh! Ephraim! How long you’ve been! Why–it isn’t Ephraim!”
“No, little girl, I’m not Ephraim, but I’m a friend. I’m afraid you will be ill standing so long in the hot sun. Are you waiting for anybody?”
The voice was kind and Jessica was glad to speak to any one. She told her story at once in a few words. The young man’s face grew grave as he listened, still he spoke encouragingly.
“It’s quite easy for strangers in a big place to get separated. Suppose, since you haven’t had your dinner, as I guess, that you go with me and have some. Wait, I’ll just speak to that policeman, yonder, and ask him to have a lookout for your Ephraim, while we’re in the restaurant. There’s a good place halfway down the block, and from its window you can watch the burro for yourself. I’ll tie him, shan’t I?”
“He’s very tired. I don’t think he’ll need any tying. He’s never tied at Sobrante.”
“Sobrante? Are you from Sobrante? Why, I’ve heard of that ranch, myself.”
“Have you? That makes it seem as if I knew you.”
The stranger smiled and beckoned to the policeman, who proved to be the brass-buttoned individual that had taken so much apparent interest in Jessica, but had not spoken to her of his own accord. He came forward promptly now and the young man related to him what Lady Jess had said. Then asked:
“What would I better do about it? I thought of taking her to the restaurant over there and getting her some dinner.”