“Why?” asked Grace.
“Well,” laughed Munson, “he thinks I may some day own a rancho of my own. But that will be a mighty long time.”
“Who can tell?” said Merle, glancing mischievously from the lieutenant to Grace. “Even in these humdrum days soldiers have been known to come in and conquer.”
Grace blushed crimson.
“Merle, how dare you?” she exclaimed, half angry, half laughing. “Next time we visit you, Mr. Munson, I’ll have to bring along Tia Teresa.”
“Oh, dear Aunt Teresa has a soft side for the lieutenant,” retorted Merle, with merry audacity.
But Grace had recovered from her momentary confusion.
“Then I’ll help you all I can, Mr. Munson, with dear Aunt Teresa,” she laughingly said. “We’ll send her along tomorrow instead of coming ourselves.”
“Heaven forbid!” murmured the lieutenant, with pious fervor. He, too, had been looking and feeling awkward.
“So we’ll say goodbye for the present,” continued Grace, frankly extending her hand.