my heart, darling. How can I feel so when there is so much
in life to do and enjoy? I have to bring myself up short quite
often and remind myself how many birthdays of my own have gone by;
though it seems but yesterday that Gaspar and I were standing by the
Snake-Who-Leaps and learning how to hold our bows that we might shoot
skilfully, even though riding bareback and at full speed, yet----"

"I believe that you could do the very same still; and that there isn't
another old lady----"

"Let me interrupt this time. Aren't you contradicting yourself? Were
you speaking of 'old' ladies?"

"You funny Grandma! Well, then, I don't believe there's another
young-old person in this great city can sit a horse as you do. If you
would only ride somewhere besides in our own park and just for once
let people see you! How many Snowbirds have you owned in your
lifetime, Grandmother?"

"One real Snowbird, with several imitations. Still, they have been
pretty fair, for Gaspar selected them and he was a fine judge of
horseflesh. You must remember that as long as he was with me we rode
together anywhere and everywhere he wished. He was a splendid
horseman."

"He was 'splendid' in all things, wasn't he, Sun Maid?" asked the
girl, with a lingering tenderness upon the other's Indian name and
knowing that it still was very pleasant in the ears of her who owned
it.

"He was a man. He had grown to the full stature of a man. That covers
all. But let's get back to birthday wishes. What are they?"

"They're pretty big; all about the new 'Girls' Home' where I am to
work for you. I think if the girls knew me, not as just somebody who
is richer than they and wants to do them good, but as an equal,
another giddy-head like themselves, it would make things ever so much
easier for all of us. I would like to go through all the big stores
and factories and places and find out every single girl who is sixteen
and have them out to Keith House for a real delightful holiday. And
because I like boys, and presume other girls do, too--Don't stiffen
your neck, please, Grandmother; remember there were you and
Gaspar----"

"But we were different."

"Maybe; yet these girls have brothers, and I wish I had. Never mind,
though. I'd like to invite them all out here for Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday evening we'd have an old-fashioned young folks' party,
with games and frolics such as were common years and years ago. Then,
for Sunday, there'd be the ministers