hey had fought, threw their arms around each other's necks, and
munched the biscuit together with an air of cherubic delight.

Everybody laughed at the pair, upon which Aunt Sally now descended
with a threatening mien and a plate of plum cake.

"Ain't you ashamed of yourselves, you naughty children? Fighting half
your time. Here! Eat that and let your suppers stop. By the way, how
many suppers have you had already?"

"Six or seven," promptly replied Ned, who had eaten with whoever
invited him.

"Sixty-seven," echoed Luis.

"Then to bed you go, this instant!" And off they were marched, without
delay. Of course, this was another postponement of Mrs. Benton's own
meal, but she didn't mind that, so long as she had an opportunity to
deal with the small lads. Explaining to them, as she undressed and
bathed them: "You'd go to wrack and ruin if 'twasn't for me takin' a
hand in your upbringin' now and then. You pull the wool over
Gabriella's eyes the worst ever was. My! What you doing now, Edward
Trent?"

"Pullin' wool, like you said!" and wound the white blanket he had
caught from his cot the more tightly about Luis' head.

Meanwhile, the ranch mistress had gained the office and asked
admission at its locked door. When a long wait ensued, she reflected
rather anxiously upon what the men had often said, "That Old Century
is as top-lofty as a king. Thinks he is a king, in his own rights, and
his having lived a hundred years makes him better'n anybody else."

This was quite true. Faithful and devoted to her as he was, the
shepherd exacted even from her the respect that was his due. On that
day he felt that much more than ordinary consideration was owing him;
yet he had been left for hours, unvisited by her for whom he had done,
and meant still to do, so much. Therefore, it was with a bearing full
of injured dignity that he at last slid the bolt and opened the door,
though he did not invite the visitor to enter, nor withdraw from the
opening.

"I came to see about your supper, good Pedro. Do you know that it has
been cooked in the old mission oven? That should make it taste fine to
you. You must pardon my not being earlier, but there have been so
many, many guests. All gone now, save our own people."

"Senorita, am I not also a guest, yes? Was one at Sobrante as old as
me? Should not I have ruled the feast?"

"Indeed, you should, my friend, if there had been any ruling whatever.
It was simply take and eat, and away to