“And the birds?” asked Ramona, hesitating.
“Oh, the birds ...” the Señora turned to the cage, where several little brown and green birds were hopping about and chirping. “I will attend to them, Ramona.”
The three girls turned away, running down the steps into the garden. Never had Rose and Ruth imagined that one place could hold so many flowers. And beyond the garden came orchards of oranges and almonds, also in flower.
“How wonderful—Oh, Ramona, do you always live in the thick of such a storm of flowers?”
“Almost always, Ruth, there are flowers, more than can be numbered. But this is spring, you know, and best of all. But we must hurry ... I have something to do ... I need your help.”
“What is it?” asked both girls. They saw that Ramona seemed troubled. They had stopped under a group of pepper trees, whose feathery foliage waved gracefully in the breeze. Beyond them rose the hills, blue and serrated against the deep sky. Behind, from the elevation they had reached, the house was plainly visible, long and low, white and green, a lovely sight amid its spreading gardens and meadows. Figures were moving about, dressed in white and pink and blue, girls at their work.
Ramona sighed.
“I do not know whether I am doing right,” she said, “but how could I refuse? See, I have a basket hidden here that we must take with us.” She bent down and from a tangle of fern leaves pulled out a covered basket.
Rose and Ruth were excited. This looked like an adventure.
“Tell us, Ramona. What are you going to do?”