don't like them," protested
Mrs. Ford, with a little shudder. "I hope that child wasn't one."

"Well, we don't know that he was. There are many people belonging to San
Leon and other neighboring ranches and a child more or less isn't enough
to set us worrying. Hmm. Here comes the operator with a telegram. I was
in hopes that I might escape them for a few weeks. News, Mr. Robson?"

The clerk's face was grave and the young folks walked away; Dorothy
carrying the basket with the lamb, the others following--with
mischievous Molly prodding the little creature with her forefinger "to
make it talk."

But the boys were not interested in "young mutton" as Monty called it,
and sought the ranchmen at their quarters to learn when they could go
fishing, or what was better, hunting.

"I don't see what you want to kill things for!" pouted Molly, while
Helena answered:

"Because they are--just boys! I only hope they won't be allowed to
handle firearms, except for rifle practice under the trainer's care. So
this is the dairy! What a fine one and away up here, where Milliken said
there was 'no civilization!' Do you know, Papa is getting quite anxious
for a stock farm? We think it's so queer for a man who knows nothing but
banking, but some doctor told him it would be fine for his health. If he
has cattle, I suppose we'll have a dairy. I mean now to find out all I
can about such things because I know whatever Mr. Ford does will be the
best possible. Odd! up here the dairymaids are dairymen! How spotlessly
clean that one yonder looks, in his white uniform! I'm going to ask what
he is doing now."

She left the other girls to do so and from another worker in this
up-to-date, sweet-smelling place, Dorothy begged a basin of milk for
their new pet. It still remained in the basket, which was so soft and of
such exquisite fineness that it could be folded like a cloth.

Alfaretta still held the soft cover, which had slipped off when Leslie
cut the rushes binding it on, turning it idly in her hands. Suddenly she
stopped and stared at its inner side, then excitedly stooped where
Dorothy was feeding the lamb and pointed, exclaiming:

"For the land sakes, Dolly Doodles, look at that!"

"Take care, Alfy! You're scaring this timid little thing so it won't
drink. It hardly knows how, anyway. What? What do you say?"

"I say look a there! _Jim! Jim!_"

Dorothy snatched the cover from Alfy's hand and there, surely enough,
was the letter D done