Blue Bonnet glanced about quickly to see if this reflection had given offence. None was visible. A relieved expression was rather more in evidence. "I think _I_ could help, perhaps, Miss Clyde," Sarah said, determined not to have her one accomplishment thrust aside so lightly. "I am sure you could, Sarah, and thank you very much; your work is always beautiful. Perhaps you would do some of the handkerchiefs." The next two weeks seemed to take wings--they flew along so fast. The grey days had come; bleak, raw days when clouds hung over the hills, threatening snow and ice. "Only five days now until Uncle Cliff comes," Blue Bonnet said one morning, pausing in her sewing--she was making bureau scarfs for her room at school, taking the greatest pride and interest in them. "Five days! I can hardly wait. Grandmother, did you ever think what Uncle Cliff's been to me? Why, he's been father, mother, brother, sister! Many's the time on the ranch when I'd get lonesome he'd play tag with me, or marbles, or cut paper dolls and make me swings--anything to make me happy. Seems like I'm only just beginning to understand how much I owe him; always before I've just kind of taken everything for granted. Sometimes I can hardly wait until I'm grown up to make a nice home for him--to take care of him, and do the things--the little things men like to have done for them." Miss Clyde turned and scrutinized Blue Bonnet's face closely. What was this child saying? This woman-child, who only yesterday was romping through the house, indulging in childish dreams--childish sports. "I'm beginning to feel grown up, sometimes, Grandmother. Going on seventeen is a pretty good age, isn't it? It won't be long now until I'm twenty-one, and then I suppose I'll have to take up responsibilities--learn how to run the ranch." She sighed heavily. "I fancy Uncle Cliff will stand back of you for some time yet, dear." Blue Bonnet nodded confidently. "Yes, and there's Alec. Pretty soon he'll know how to manage everything on the ranch, too. Uncle Cliff's getting awfully fond of him. Maybe when Alec is through school he'll make him manager of the whole place. Wouldn't that be fine? I think Alec will always be better out in the open. He can't stand city life, it's too cramped for him." "It certainly would be fine for Alec." "Yes, and for Uncle Cliff, too. He gets mighty tired of the grind--that's what he calls it sometimes. Why, his little trips East are about the only pleasure he has; and yet--I don't believe you could drive him off the Blue Bonnet Ranch. He loves everything about it, from the smallest yearling to each blade of grass. He says my father did too, and _his_ father. It's a kind of a family trait." She laughed softly. "And you have inherited the feeling?" Grandmother asked. "Oh, I love it," the girl answered. "Of course I love it--but I'm not crazy to winter and summer on it."