n her suspicion
of a possible goat farm being tucked away in the mountains, thence Maid
Mary and the pompous Reda were wont to lug the roots; at the same time
she felt unequal to a better guess at the puzzle, for it was now
conspicuously clear that roots, all kinds of roots, were being gathered
continuously by the little girl and her picturesque attendant.

The three visitors and Mrs. Dunbar were enjoying a refreshing west wind
on the square porch, outside the library window, for their confab, and
in their summer uniforms the girls made a picture not wasted on the
artistic eye of Audrey Harris Dunbar.

"I can truthfully report," she remarked, smiling graciously and
betraying considerable of her own good looks, "that you three little
girls are already much improved by your visit. I have to make out a
blanket statement, as we say in club work, when we make one report
cover a number of items, and I would just like to illustrate that
statement with a color picture of you girls. You are positively rosy."

The compliment was plainly merited, for Madaline and, Grace had taken
on a generous coating of tan and color, and even Cleo's usually pale
face was prettily suffused with a shell-pink glow, which brightened her
gray eyes, and enhanced the attractive effect of a face all but plain,
too keenly intelligent to be overlooked in beauty.

"We all feel better for getting back in service," Cleo replied to her
aunt's favorable criticism. "I guess even vacation needs a little duty
to keep the play part happily outlined."

"Yes, little niece, you show your daddy's wisdom there, and of course
that means you are very like me," with a swoop of her graceful arm
coming up to the breast in mock dramatic fashion. "I always knew
brother Kimball and I were very much alike, and now I am positive. Of
course Kim aimed to be practical, and he has succeeded, while I--just
slosh around in my paints. But really, children, I must be off again
to that convention. I suppose we will plan to make interior
decorations in mural designs around the Capitol dome, to give
neighborly effect to our friends in Mars or Saturn or even Venus. Now
be good," and she embraced all three with her affectionate smile, "go
hunting if you like, but better take Lucille or Lalia along. They are
older, you know, and should be wiser, although you have quite
astonished me with your applied good sense thus far. I shall send a
be-ee-u-tiful report to Flosston. You kno