"That sounds like father." It seemed to Blue Bonnet that Carita smothered a sigh. "Mother and I aren't always sure that _everything_ is for the best. But father never has the least bit of doubt." Then with a quick return of animation--"I know you'll love the camp. Knight has picked out the loveliest spot for your tents. There--look! You can see the Spring, and that gleam of white through the trees--that's Camp Judson!" CHAPTER XI CAMPING BY THE BIG SPRING "OH, Blue Bonnet, do hurry!" cried Debby as Blue Bonnet galloped into camp. "It's the most wonderful place,--we can't wait for you to see it." Blue Bonnet slipped from the saddle and flung the reins to Miguel. "Show me everything!" she cried; and then not waiting to be shown, went from one tent to another in her usual whirlwind fashion. "Our sleeping-tent," said Kitty; they were all trooping after the late-comer, chattering busily and explaining the most obvious arrangements. "That one's for you and the Senora; this one is the dining-room--see the table and benches Alec and Knight made! The kitchen is under that awning. Isn't that the darlingest stove?" "And the little creek right handy!" By the time she had completed her survey, Blue Bonnet was more enthusiastic than any one else. How she loved camping out! The spot the boys had chosen for them was a beautiful one. Under two giant live-oaks whose branches interlaced overhead in a leafy canopy, the sleeping-tents were pitched, between them stretching an awning that formed both a dining-room and a lounging-place by day. The site had been used as a camping-ground before and still retained many conveniences installed by former campers; the underbrush had all been cut away, and the ground packed hard and level. For the kitchen, a canvas stretched between the camp-wagon and a convenient sycamore served as sufficient protection from sun and arboreal insects. The little sheet-iron stove, set up on a flat boulder, boasted an elbow in its pipe that could be adjusted to suit the direction of the wind. A thread of a creek, tumbling down the hillside, ran not ten yards from the wagon, and at one point a tiny wooden trough had been inserted, giving the effect of a spout where kettles could be quickly filled. Alec and Knight had labored diligently to have all attractive as well as convenient, and really deserved great praise for the completeness of all details. "Everything is perfect!" Blue Bonnet declared. "But we must have the buckboard seats in the--er--living-room. Uncle Cliff sent all three so that we could use them as easy chairs,--especially for Grandmo--why, where is she?" "Here, dear," Mrs. Clyde came up with a tin dipper in her hand. "I've been having a drink,--such a drink, Blue Bonnet!" She held out the dripping cup and Blue Bonnet drank from it thirstily. As she finished she met the Senora's eyes over the brim. "Oh, Grandmother, I ought to have done that--for you!" She shook her head. "I wonder if I'll ever think in time?"