In reality, these old adobes were remnants of a long-abandoned mission, but still in such excellent repair that they were utilized for the ranchman's quarters and for the business of the great estate. Antonio Bernal was the only one of all the employees who had his own rooms at "the house," as the cottage was called where the Trents themselves lived. From the kitchen of this attractive "house" now floated a delectable odor of well-cooked food, and with the reflection that he was always hungry nowadays, the visitor crossed to its open window; there came, also, a girlish voice, exclaiming: "Yes, mother, I'm sure he was a gentleman, though he didn't look well. I told him you weren't fond of strangers and had little time to give them, but that I thought you'd make him welcome. Indeed, there's nowhere else for him to go, since his horse is lame and we so far from everybody. He lost his trail, he said. Was I right?" Then his shadow fell across the sun-lighted floor and Jessica faced about. With a whisk of the saucepan, in which she was scrambling eggs, she added: "Well, right or wrong, here he is!" But she was talking to empty air, for her mother had disappeared. CHAPTER IV AN INTERRUPTED SUPPER The young ranchwoman placed her pan in safety and ran out upon that north porch, where the table was already spread, to meet the visitor. "Oh! I'm glad you've gotten here all safe. How did you do it? It's a long walk for those who aren't used to it. Even for those who are, too. Did you ride your horse? Was he better?" She rattled off her questions without waiting for replies and to give him time to recover his breath, which he seemed to have lost. Then she poured him a glass of milk and urged him to drink it, with the remark: "That's Blandina's own. She's the house-cow. You'll find it delicious. Don't you?" "It's fine milk," answered the other, cautiously; "but, if it isn't too much trouble, a bit of ice would improve it." "Ice? Why, where could I get ice? Sometimes, in the winter, a little forms along the arroyo, but now--I'm very sorry, indeed. I'd be so glad to get it if I could." Mr. Hale swallowed the sickeningly warm liquid with a gulp and hastened to apologize. "It wouldn't be good for me if you could. My compliments to your house-cow, and I'm very grateful for my refreshment. You have a beautiful home." "Haven't we? The prettiest in the world, I guess. My father thought so and my mother loves it. So do we all, but to her it is dearest. Because, you see, father and she have made it all it is. Please, just let me move your chair nearer the edge of the porch. So. Now, look away off to the east. Father said there could be no view more uplifting. He wished everybody who had to live in cities could see it. He knew it would make them better men." Magnificent though it was, Mr. Hale found his small hostess more interesting than the view. "Your father----" he began, questioningly.