The sound of Jo's jolly laugh with the little added tender note made him turn and look after them. They had stopped on their way and were looking into each other's eyes, oblivious to all else but the happiness to be found in the kingdom of love and youth. Silhouetted on the crest of the hill they stood--Jo, lean, long and picturesque in his rough clothes; Marta, neat and natty from her little pumps to her shining yellow hair smoothed back over her forehead. With the feeling that he also was initiated into the Great Brotherhood and had recognized the tokens of membership, he went about his tasks, seeing a vision of a girl with a sweetness in her eyes that often belied the bantering of her tone. When he came up to dinner, Pen's place was vacant. "Bobbie won't eat with us," explained Francis. "Nora didn't, you know. Aunt Pen thought she might be lonesome eating her first meal all alone, so they are having their dinner together." Marta's words, "she has such a kind heart," came back to him. "She is right," he said. "Marta knows." And suddenly there was born in him a deep compassion for all women of her kind. In vain he waited for Pen in the library that night. But, feeling she was in deep waters, Pen had resolved to stay in her room. CHAPTER XI Outside her door Pen found Betty waiting expectantly. "Bobbie gave us a nickel apiece not to disturb you," she began glibly. "She said you had a headache last night. And father's come home and brought a man with him. And mother's coming soon." Pen found herself only languidly interested in these announcements. She listened distraitly to the prattle of the children who surrounded her while she was served with toast and coffee. "Father and the man are motoring around the ranch," said Francis, "but they will be back to lunch." This roused her to the extent of making a more elaborate toilet than usual. She came into the library shortly before the luncheon hour, clad in one of the gowns she had taken from the trunk Marta had brought, her hair done with exquisite care. "Why, Aunty Pen!" cried Betty. "You look so different. You look grown up." "I am, Betty," she said gravely. "Miss Pen!" exclaimed Kingdon, coming forward. "Our hills have gotten in their curative powers speedily. I was afraid you were of the lily family, but I see you are a bud of the rose." While she was replying to his banter, Kurt came into the room. She felt a little feminine thrill of pleasure in his look of unspoken admiration. "I left my guest, Mr. Hebler, down at the stables," continued Kingdon. "Billy, run down and tell him it is nearly time for luncheon. I made a new acquaintance while I was away," he explained to Pen. "Bruce Hebler. I persuaded him to stop off on his way out to California." Pen's eyes dilated slightly, and the color left her face, as she made some excuse for leaving the room. Kurt followed, intercepting her in the hallway.