The crimson and the white.”
CHAPTER XXI—HOME ONCE MORE
“Oh, father, it looks just the same! There are our mountains that Colonel Standish and I said good-by to. Oh, daddy, I’ve missed the mountains so! And there are the foot-hills! Aren’t they green? And see the flowers on them! Oh, there’s a shooting star! I saw it in the hollow as we passed. And aren’t the grain fields lovely with the wind sweeping over them? Oh, father, won’t the girls just love it? And won’t it be perfectly lovely to have them? I never saw any one so happy as Carver Standish when he said you had asked him. The Colonel was smiling all over, too. It will be a regular house-party, won’t it? And isn’t it wonderful that Aunt Nan’s coming with all of them? Oh, father, weren’t we happy in Vermont, and isn’t it just the loveliest thing in all the world that we have grandmother and Aunt Nan for our very own? I know mother would be happy, don’t you?”
“I’m sure she would be very happy, dear. It’s what we used to hope for years ago. And I’m the happiest man in all Wyoming to have my little daughter back, and I’m more glad than ever that I sent her away to school.”
“Oh, I’m so glad that I can’t help thinking about it. Just think if I’d never gone, I’d never have known Priscilla—isn’t she dear, father—or Dorothy, or Mary and Anne, or those dear, funny Blackmore twins, or Vivian—Vivian seems silly, father, but she isn’t really, she’s fine underneath, you’ll see—or Miss King, or darling Miss Wallace—oh, daddy, wasn’t she too dear for anything when she said good-by? She kissed me twice. It’s selfish to notice, but I couldn’t help it. She’s one of my very dearest friends. Didn’t you like her especially?”
“Very much, dear. See, we’re coming nearer. We’ve crossed the creek bridge. Better put on your hat.”
Fifteen minutes later they had left the dingy little station and were driving along the country road between fields of waving grain, the proud Dick being holder of the reins. Virginia plied him with eager questions.
“Oh, Dick, how is the colt?”
“Fine, Miss Virginia. We put him on the range last month.”
