They stopped at Ramona for the night, and noon next day found them nearing home. Charlie was about to turn into a delightful woodland copse for luncheon when two ladies on horseback were seen approaching. Mr. Page at once recognized the Almirantes. The recognition was mutual. The Señora and the granddaughter came to the wagon and shook hands cordially with the occupants.
"Now you are only a mile and a half from my home," she said. "I beg that you will come and take dinner and pass the night with us."
At first they demurred, the party was so large, but the Señora was insistent.
"Come and see an old Spanish ranch house," she said. "You will possibly never see another. Come, I beg of you; all that we have is yours."
Ramona, the granddaughter, joined her entreaties to those of the Señora, and the Pages at last consented. The ladies rode ahead to give notice of their coming, and when the party reached the ranch everything was found in readiness as though for long-expected guests. Two neatly furnished bedrooms, each large enough for a salon, were placed at their disposal, with plenty of water and fresh towels, very welcome after the long and dusty morning ride. Afterward, while waiting for dinner to be served, they sat in the long, covered porch, extending all around the large patio. There beautiful plants and flowers were growing, and several parrots hung in gilded cages.
When dinner was over the Señora took the elder ladies to show them her laces. Mr. Page rambled in the gardens and fields. The children, with Ramona and her brother, gathered at the edge of the ruined fountain, watching the toads that hopped over the rank moss.
"The Gordons are coming back soon," said Alejandro. "Then we shall have fine times again."
"But you will be at school," said his sister; "you will not be here."
"In vacation I will," he replied. "I wish I did not have to go back to school. I like it when I am there, but I would rather stay at home."
"What are you going to be when you are a man?" asked Walter. "A lawyer or a doctor?"