"Sarah, don't say that! You make me hate myself!" Blue Bonnet shook her almost fiercely. "You mustn't think it either. I'm glad, glad, glad you came! I've meant you to know it, and I've wanted you to have a splendid time, and here all the while--" she stopped and swallowed hard. Sarah's face lighted up happily and she did what was for her an unprecedented thing,--she drew Blue Bonnet to her and gave her a hearty hug. "That's all I wanted to know," she said. "Please don't imagine I haven't enjoyed myself, Blue Bonnet. It's been the most wonderful visit! I'm queer, I know, but I can't help liking the things I like, and if only the girls would stop trying to make me over--" "I'll make them!" Blue Bonnet declared; and at this threat they both laughed, and the storm was over. CHAPTER XVI THE LOST SHEEP "OH, Carita, do you really have to go to-day?" Genuine regret was in Blue Bonnet's eyes and tone. Carita sighed. "Yes, Grandfather expects us back at the farm to-night, and Mother never disappoints him. He's getting old and she doesn't like to leave him alone much. We may come up again before the summer is over,--Father has to be here for several weeks yet." "But we'll be gone,--we're to leave on Wednesday, you know. Did ever days fly so before? I haven't seen half enough of you, Carita." "You seem to belong to so many people," Carita said rather wistfully, "I've been afraid to claim too much of your time. But there are other summers. Maybe when you come back from the East next year you can come to the farm,--it isn't much of a journey on the cars." Blue Bonnet lost herself a moment in reflection. "When she came back from the East"--why, she hadn't even decided that she was going East again--yet. "And you can come to see me--at the Blue Bonnet ranch," she said. Carita shook her head. "Railroad fares are pretty high. We have to be very careful since Father lost his health. That's why we came back from India, you know. The doctors said that this climate was best for his trouble, and when Grandfather offered us a home on the farm we were so glad. But Father's not having a church--only once in a while when he fills a pulpit for a few weeks at a time--keeps us a little short. I reckon you don't know much about--being short. You have everything you want, don't you?" "Everybody seems to think that; they forget that I haven't a mother or father--or any brothers and sisters," Blue Bonnet said very simply. Carita threw her arms impulsively about her friend and gave her a warm kiss. "How mean of me to forget! I wish you were my sister. Boys don't always understand. But you have so many people to love you, you can't ever get lonesome. And having lots of money must be so nice, and to go away to school, and have pretty clothes and go to parties and travel, why--" Carita's breath failed her.