Mrs. Allen smoothed out the differences by declaring: "What's the difference, she wouldn't have guessed, not in a million years—stand away and let her see it."
Fresno swept them all aside with the blanket.
"Oh, isn't it beautiful, beautiful!" cried Echo.
"Who—what—where—" she stammered, glancing from one to the other, her eyes finally resting on Jack.
"Not guilty," he cried. "You'll have to thank the boys for this."
With happy tears welling up in her eyes, Echo said: "I do thank them, I do—I do—I can't tell how delighted I am. I can't say how much this means to me—I thank you—I say it once, but I feel it a thousand times." She seized each of the boys by the hand and shook it heartily.
"Would you like to have another selection?" asked Fresno, relieving the tension of the situation.
"No!" shouted the punchers unanimously. Fresno looked very much crestfallen, since he considered that he had made a deep impression by his first effort.
"Mrs. Payson's goin' to hit us out a tune," announced Sage-brush.
Echo seated herself at the piano. Jack leaned against the instrument, gazing fondly into her eyes, as she raised her face radiant with happiness. Allen had taken possession of the best rocking-chair. Mrs. Allen sat at the table, and the boys ranged themselves about the room. Their faces reflected gratification. They watched Echo expectantly.