t have liked to propose it.
In the two weeks I've been here, I've had the best time I ever had in my
life, and I really believe this is going to be the best of all."

"I suppose," observed Virginia, "that the boys will be more or less
disappointed because we won't be here to go on the gopher hunt, but we can
shoot dozens of gophers any day."

"Of course," returned Vivian, who had never shot one in her life.

"Of course," echoed Mary, who was in the same class with Vivian.

"Besides," continued Priscilla, "the experience of shooting a gopher,
while doubtless thrilling in the extreme, doesn't compare for one moment
with homesteading. Do you know, girls, I believe I'll take along my
Thought Book. Something might come to me!"

"I would, if I were you," acquiesced Virginia. "No, Hannah, dear," she
added, turning to the faithful retainer in the doorway, "we don't want a
thing to eat. Thank you just as much. It wouldn't be homesteading at all
if we carried food. Jean says there are plenty of supplies out there.
We're just going to take our night-dresses and combs and tooth-brushes and
Priscilla's Thought Book."

Hannah smiled dubiously.

"Supplies is all right, deary," said she, "but who's going to cook them?"

"I can make biscuits, I think," offered Mary. "At least, I did once."

Virginia thought for a moment, uncertain of her contribution.

"I'm sure I can fry fish," she said. "I've seen you do it a hundred times,
Hannah."

Priscilla and Vivian, not being culinary experts, made no promises; but
Virginia, even in the face of discouragement, still insisted that they
take nothing.

"Then don't go till after dinner," called Aunt Nan from her room. "It will
be ready in an hour."

"Better wait," reiterated Mr. Hunter. "William's had to go on the range a
piece for the horses, anyway."

So it was after dinner that the four homesteaders started for their
borrowed claim, leaving behind three disgusted boys armed for a gopher
hunt, an amused father, an interested William, a still doubtful Aunt Nan,
and a much-worried Hannah.

"Can't we even come to call?" asked Carver, holding Vivian's horse for her
to mount.

"No, Carver," said Virginia sweetly, "you can't. We want to see how it
will really seem to be homesteading all alone. We'll be back by noon
to-morrow, and will go after gophers in the afternoon, if you want to
wait. If you don't, it's all right."

"Why not invite us to supper?" suggested Donald. "We'll go dir