"Lets go tell Inez," proposed Belle, "when the decision had been reached. It will be such a surprise to her."
The Spanish girl, though not fully recovered from the long period of insufficient food and weary toil, had insisted upon taking up some of the duties, of the Kimball home. But Cora's mother required that she rest a portion of each day to recover her strength. And, as the girls sought her in her own little room (for Inez was anything but a servant), they found her just awakening from a sleep.
"Oh, Senoritas!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed under their olive tint. "I have had such a beautiful dream. I dreamed I was back in my own dear country—on Sea Horse Island. Oh, but ze palms waved a welcome to me, and ze waters—ze so blue waters—zey sang a song to me. Ze blue waves broke on ze coral—as I have seen it so, often. Oh, but, Senoritas, I was sorry to awaken—so sorry—for it was but a dream."
"No, Inez, it was not all a dream," said Cora, gently. "If you like, you may go back to Sea Horse Island. We will take you to Porto Rico with us, and from there you can easily go to your own island."
"Oh, will you—will you take me, Senoritas?" cried Inez, kneeling at
Cora's feet. "Oh, but it is magnificent of you!" and she covered
Cora's hands with kisses.
CHAPTER IX
OFF TO WATERS BLUE
"Oh, Jack! Aren't you just wild to go?"
"I don't know, Cora. Anything for a change, I suppose," was the listless answer. "I'd go anywhere—do anything—just to get one good night's sleep again."
"You poor boy! Didn't you rest well?"