mured Hortense. "And from Montana!"

"Butcher got another one; ain't ye, Uncle Starkweather?" demanded the
metamorphosed Helen, looking about with a broad smile. "Where's the little
tad?"

"'Little tad'! Oh, won't Flossie be pleased?" again murmured Hortense.

"My youngest daughter is at school," replied Mr. Starkweather, nervously.

"Shucks! of course," said Helen, nodding. "I forgot they go to school half
their lives down east here. Out my way we don't get much chance at
schoolin'."

"So I perceive," remarked Hortense, aloud.

"Now I expect _you_,'Tense," said Helen, wickedly, "have been through all
the isms and the ologies there be--eh? You look like you'd been all worn
to a frazzle studyin'."

Belle giggled. Hortense bridled.

"I really wish you wouldn't call me out of my name," she said.

"Huh?"

"My name is Hortense," said that young lady, coldly.

"Shucks! So it is. But that's moughty long for a single mouthful."

Belle giggled again. Hortense looked disgusted. Uncle Starkweather was
somewhat shocked.

"We--ahem!--hope you will enjoy yourself here while you--er--remain," he
began. "Of course, your visit will be more or less brief, I suppose?"

"Jest accordin' to how ye like me and how I like you folks," returned the
girl from Sunset Ranch, heartily. "When Big Hen seen me off----"

"Who--_who_?" demanded Hortense, faintly.

"Big Hen Billings," said Helen, in an explanatory manner. "Hen was
dad's--that is he worked with dad on the ranch. When I come away I told
Big Hen not to look for me back till I arrove. Didn't know how I'd find
you-all, or how I'd like the city. City's all right; only nobody gets up
early. And I expect we-all can't tell how we like each other until we get
better acquainted."

"Very true--very true," remarked Mr. Starkweather, faintly.

"But, goodness! I'm hungry!" exclaimed Helen. "You folks ain't fed yet;
have ye?"

"We have breakfasted," said Belle, scornfully. "I will ring for the
butler. You may tell Lawdor what you want--er--_Cousin_ Helen," and she
looked at Hortense.

"Sure!" cried Helen. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Ye see, I didn't have any
watch and the sun was clouded over this morning. Sort of run over my time
limit--eh? Ah!--is this Mr. Lawdor?"

The shaky old butler stood in the doorway.

"It is _Lawdor_," said Belle, emphatically. "Is there any breakfast left,
Lawdor?"

"Yes, Miss Belle. When Gregson told me the young miss was not at the table
I kept