rjorie was conscious of a sensation of disappointment
for which she could scarcely account even to herself. She struggled
bravely against the homesickness which threatened every moment to
overwhelm her, and tried to take an interest in all her new relatives'
conversation, but when dinner was over, and they had gone upstairs
again, she was not sorry to avail herself of Aunt Julia's suggestion
that she must be "quite worn out," and slip quietly off to bed. It was
not easy to dispense with the services of Hortense, who showed an
alarming tendency to linger and offer to assist, but even she was
finally disposed of, and with a sigh of intense relief, Marjorie closed
her door, switched off the electric light, and crept into bed. Then
followed a good hearty cry, which somehow made her feel better, and
then, being young and very tired as well, she fell into a sound, healthy
sleep, from which she did not awaken until it was broad daylight.

CHAPTER IX

MARJORIE TAKES A MORNING WALK

WHEN Marjorie opened her eyes the next morning, she lay for some minutes
thinking over the events of the previous day, and listening to the
unusual noise in the street. There was so much noise that she began to
fear it must be very late, and jumping out of bed, she went to look at
the clock. It was only just half-past six. She had forgotten to ask at
what hour the family breakfasted, but seven o'clock was the usual
breakfast time at the ranch, so she decided that it might be well to
dress as speedily as possible. She felt very wide awake indeed this
morning, and suddenly remembered that she had not had a walk or ride
since leaving home.

"I'll get Elsie to come with me for a good long tramp after breakfast,"
she said to herself. "If she can't go on account of school, I'll ask
Uncle Henry to let me walk with him to his office, and I can come back
by myself."

Greatly to Marjorie's relief, no Hortense appeared with offers of
assistance, and she performed her morning toilet in peace. She put on
the gray flannel suit, which Elsie had pronounced "good enough for
breakfast and luncheon," and then once more glancing at the clock,
discovered that it was still only five minutes past seven.

"If they breakfast at seven I shall be only five minutes late," she
said, with a feeling of satisfaction; "I should have hated to be late
the first morning. Perhaps they won't have it till half-past, and then I
shall have time to write a few lines to Mother