"You'll write me soon, Blue Bonnet, won't you, and tell me what you decide to do?" Carita asked as she leaned down from her pinto for a last word with Blue Bonnet. "Indeed I will," Blue Bonnet assured her. "I wish I knew now." "And you'll write often if you go back--all about school and the girls and--" "I'll write about everything, if--!" And this was the word on which they parted. Sandy lingered behind the others long enough to slip an envelope into Blue Bonnet's hand. "For Kitty," he explained. "Tell her I'm mighty sorry I couldn't see her to say good-bye." "Maybe it is only '_hasta la vista_,' as the Spanish say,--'good-bye till we meet again,'" said Blue Bonnet. "You must surely come to Woodford and see us if you go to Harvard." "'Neither foes nor loving friends'--shall hinder me from doing that same, if--!" And with this word, Sandy, too, galloped after the others. Alec was to accompany the boys as far as the ford. As he rode away on Strawberry, looking very straight and manly in the saddle, General Trent gazed after him with an expression of pride in his eyes. "The change in the boy is hardly short of marvellous, Miss Blue Bonnet," he said at last, turning to her. "I should never have believed it if I had not seen him. I'm very grateful to you for writing me that letter, though I confess you had me badly puzzled." Blue Bonnet had stood looking regretfully after Carita, but at the General's words she turned with a brightened face. If he was grateful, then he must have forgiven her for bringing him to Texas on what was evidently an unnecessary errand. "I was afraid you might think I had--rushed in," she said. "Not at all!" he replied. "Though I did not quite understand--you weren't entirely clear, you know." Indeed she did know! "But Alec has explained the situation," the General continued, "and I understand everything now." Blue Bonnet drew a quick breath of relief. "Then it's all right?" "Yes,--and he need not have hesitated. I sympathize with him wholly." Sympathize? How queerly he said it. Again Blue Bonnet was swept out to sea. "I am going to talk with Mr. Ashe about the matter now. We must do what is best for the boy." As General Trent walked to meet Uncle Cliff, Blue Bonnet stood staring after him, her thoughts in a whirl. "What's the matter? You look as if you had just been through an earthquake," laughed Ruth, coming up and slipping her thin hand into Blue Bonnet's. "I think I have,--and everything is upside down." Blue Bonnet still looked dazed as she turned to go into the house. "Come in and see Kitty. The poor child is pretty blue." "She was pretty red when I last saw her!" laughed Blue Bonnet. "I've something here to cheer her--a message from Sandy. She snubs him dreadfully, but he seems to enjoy it." They found all the girls gathered about Kitty's bed, evidently in the midst of a serious discussion. Silence fell as Blue Bonnet entered. "I can see out of one eye!" Kitty announced with forced gaiety.