go back
to school with a few of Jean MacDonald's ideas, they'll be very
fortunate."

"It seems as though I ought to go," said Aunt Nan, "and still I don't know
that my being there would do any good."

"Not a bit," returned Virginia's father. "Roughing it at seventeen and
thirty are two entirely different experiences. Stay at home and be
civilized, but let them go and don't worry for a moment. They'll show up
to-morrow safe and sound with another bran-new experience for their
Thought Books. See if they don't!"

So it happened that Aunt Nan was convinced and gave her consent to
Virginia's just-born and dearly-beloved plan--namely, that the four
Vigilantes should homestead for Jean MacDonald during her absence of one
night from her cabin on the mesa. Jean had ridden over that morning on her
way to town to spend the night with a friend, and Virginia's plan had
sprung full-born like Athena from the head of Zeus.

"Don't you want us to homestead for you, Jean, while you're away?" she had
asked.

Jean had gladly accepted the offer. "It would be just the thing," she
said. Then they could really see why she loved the mesa as she did, and
especially her very own corner of it. The dogs would be glad of company,
for she had driven the three cows that very morning to the neighboring
homestead, and except for the chickens, Watch and King were all alone. The
cabin door had no lock, and they might go right in and make themselves at
home. There was an extra cot in the kitchen, bedding in plenty, and loads
of food supplies. She would simply love to have them do it!

Virginia had turned questioningly to the listening Vigilantes.

"Let's!" said Mary.

"Oh, do let's!" cried Priscilla.

"Of course," faltered Vivian, insuperably buoyed up by company.

"All right," said Jean MacDonald as she turned Robert Bruce toward the
road. "It's settled then! There's plenty of butter and milk in the
creek-refrigerator--I left them there--and lots of fish in the creek.
You'll have to rustle your own wood, I guess. Help yourselves to
everything! Good-by!"

William, who was working among his flowers, had waited only for Aunt Nan's
approval. Now that it had come, he was off to saddle the horses, while the
excited Vigilantes flew to get into their riding-clothes.

"I'm so glad you dared to suggest it, Virginia," said Priscilla,
struggling with her boot lacings. "I thought of it, too--that's what I
meant by nudging you--but, of course, I wouldn'