“I have some little packages that Mrs. Mechlin sends. I can bring them this evening—the ladies might wish to see the contents.”
“Of course, they will. They wouldn't be women if they didn't. They'll want you to relate all the incidents of the voyage, too, and the trip to the Yosemite. If you can, come this evening. I'll tell them you are coming.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Everett and Victoriano overtook them now as they entered the valley.
“Say, Clary,” Everett called out, “don't you want to get out here and change seats with Tano?”
“I'll take him home,” Don Mariano answered; and they all drove toward the Darrell house.
At the door were Mr. Darrell and Alice. Immediately after, Darrell came out to greet his son. He was rather cordial to Don Mariano, and asked him to come in and take lunch. This was so very unexpected to all his hearers, that, with the exception of Don Mariano, all showed their surprise. This kind invitation, however, was politely declined—whereupon Victoriano, pretending to feel slighted because he was not invited, tossed his head at Clarence and Everett, and marched majestically towards his father's carriage.
Everett overtook him, and would not let him get in, insisting upon his remaining to luncheon. Victoriano then indicating that he was entirely pacified, remained, perfectly happy, knowing his seat would be near Alice, and that was the allurement, but he said to Tisha, as she came to set a plate for him:
“Your cooking is so good, Tisha, that I always come sneaking around, begging for an invitation, for I am sure you have something nice to give us.”
“La massa! and right welcome ye are, too, by everybody in this 'ere family, and I knows it exactly.”