When Barbara gave her a frozen look, Sary examined her hands for a moment, then humped her shoulders and stamped back to the kitchen-range where she had been boiling soap-fat and straining out the scum before the arrival of the city misses. "Anne, would your friends like to refresh themselves in the bedroom?" asked Mrs. Brewster to break the embarrassed silence. "Oh, yes, of course!" replied Anne, anxiously turning to Barbara. Eleanor took the initiative of going toward the door. "I never saw such a darling bungalow! I just love everything spread out on the ground floor. No stairs and no elevators--Oh, how nice!" "It is a change from your brown-stone mansions, isn't it?" replied Mrs. Brewster, smiling at the concerned face. "To me it is the most awful place! I don't suppose you have baths, or electric light, or telephone service?" said Barbara. "Now you see here, Barbara Maynard! You've got to stop this whimpering or I'll wire Daddy to make you go home! I just won't have my whole summer spoiled by your complaints!" cried Eleanor, angrily, and stamping her foot to emphasize her words. "I hope you didn't expect me to _stay_ here, did you?" demanded Barbara. "I hope you won't--that's all I've got to say! Come on, Anne, and show me the place. Where's Polly gone?" said Eleanor. Polly was found in the large living-room, looking the picture of disappointment. Anne understood how she must have felt, so she diverted the attention of the newcomers to the great yawning fire-place that could hold several tree-trunks at one time. "And do you know, Nolla, every bit of wood in this house was hewn and carted here by Mr. Brewster? You see the government allows settlers just so much timber with which to construct a home and barns. There is a county sawmill to saw and trim logs and then the owner has to cart them himself. Naturally, one hasn't time to carve fancy _ideals_ in the wood one uses for the house. And having it sent from Denver, or other large cities where labor is to be had, is also out of the question. The freight costs, and the long haul from Oak Creek to the Pit presents difficulties not to be overcome. So folks build homes as solid and strong as they can, and leave the trimmings for a future generation." Anne explained all this for Barbara's benefit, and Mrs. Brewster smiled her gratitude to the girl. Eleanor seemed more impressed than ever after she heard of the time and labor it must have taken to construct such a house as the Brewster ranch boasted; and Barbara was taken back, as she had not thought of such things, but she pretended not to care. [Illustration with caption: Barbara completely ignored Sary.] CHAPTER VI THE HARROWING DETAILS "Now, girls, come and see the guest-room Polly prepared for us. You know she is going to study interior decorating when she grows up--aren't you, Polly?" said Anne, placing an arm protectingly about the girl's shoulders and moving towards the chamber.