"Sure?--positive. Dr. Judson pointed out lots of it around Camp, and we learned to give it a wide berth. But say, every one isn't susceptible, Kitty. Maybe you're immune." "Oh, dear!" wailed Kitty. "What shall I do? Can't I be vaccinated or something to ward it off?" "What's the trouble?" asked Uncle Joe, coming up in time to hear Kitty's despairing cry. "Poison ivy," said Alec, pointing to the vines. "Now that's bad." Uncle Joe kicked the innocent looking heap of greens off to one side. "I'll send up one of the boys to rake that up and get rid of it. Nasty stuff to have around,--'specially for folks with your--coloring." He eyed Kitty's milk-white freckled face apprehensively. "If I get it and have to miss the party I'll never get over it!" Kitty declared. "Oh, yes, you will--it only lasts a few days, generally," said Uncle Joe. Kitty dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. "Here--don't do that!" Alec exclaimed hastily. "That might play the mischief with your eyes. Go bathe your face and hands with witch hazel, that may help. And hurry out again, Kitty--your friend Sandy is on the side veranda." Kitty for the first time glanced towards the house and saw the latest arrivals. "Carita, too! Have they come to the party? Oh, what fun! That's what Mr. Ashe meant when he promised us a boy apiece for the dance. But oh, Alec--what if--?" Kitty could not finish. "Please don't get it, Kitty,--it would spoil the day for Sandy!" CHAPTER XIX BLUE BONNET'S BIRTHDAY "SIXTEEN to-day!" was Blue Bonnet's first thought as she opened her eyes next morning. Could it be only a year since her last birthday? Less than a year since she had first seen Grandmother? Why, it seemed now as if she must have known Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda all her life! She tried to remember how she used to feel before she ever left the ranch; before she had ever seen Woodford, or the We are Sevens, or--but the list seemed interminable; she gave up trying to recall how the Blue Bonnet of that careless time had thought and felt and spent her days. Was every year to bring as many new experiences, as many new faces into her life? Surely not if she stayed on the ranch, and if she went-- But Uncle Cliff had said that question was to be banished for this day. Rising and dressing noiselessly, she stole out of the nursery for one of her usual early morning romps. Being sixteen should not rob her of the right to be a child at this hour of the day! "Wish me many happy returns, Solomon!" she cried as the dogs raced to her across the yard. "Don, this is the fifth occasion of this sort you've attended,--you're getting on in years, too. Come on, I'll race you to the fence!" Uncle Cliff watched her from the pasture, a chuckle of satisfaction escaping him at this evidence of untamed tomboyism. He met her as she came up flushed and breathless. "Getting mighty dignified since you turned sixteen, aren't you?"