"And you are from the Springs—driving for the day?" she continued, courteously addressing Mrs. Page. Being answered in the affirmative, she said:
"I am the Señora Almirante; I live with my grandchildren at the ranch not far from San Diego. We come to this place every year for the last five—no, four years. I find it does me a great deal of good."
Mr. Page then introduced himself and his family.
"Oh, can it be that you are the friends of the Gordons, our neighbors, of whom we have heard them speak so often? Father Gregorio told me also that you had been living in California, and had now decided to remain here."
"Yes, indeed," replied Mrs. Page, "the Gordons are old friends. We were disappointed on coming out to learn that they had gone East again."
"Well, it is only for a time, you know," said the Señora. "It is only to settle some business, and then they will return."
"Ramona," she continued, addressing the young lady in the hammock, "come here to be made acquainted with some friends of the Gordons. And you also, Alejandro," to the boy.
They came forward, the girl tall, dark and slender, with a crown of magnificent jet-black hair wound round and round her small head; the boy, several years younger than his sister, but very much resembling her in feature.
"Any friends of the Gordons we are very glad to know," said Ramona Almirante in response to the kindly greetings of Mr. and Mrs. Page. "What a pity you are not camping here with us at the Spring. It is so pleasant."