"We certainly have not got to have this cowgirl around for long," continued Hortense. "She'd be no fit company for Flossie. Flossie's rude enough as it is." The youngest daughter had gone to school, so she was not present with her saucy tongue to hold up her own end of the argument. "Think of a girl right from a cattle ranch!" laughed Belle. "Fine! I suppose she knows how to rope steers, and break ponies, and ride bareback like an Indian, and all that. Fine accomplishments for a New York drawing-room, I must say." "Oh, yes," joined in Hortense. "And she'll say 'I reckon,' and drop her 'g's' and otherwise insult the King's English." "Ahem! I must warn you girls to be less boisterous," advised their father. "Why, you sound as though you were almost afraid of this cowgirl, Pa," said Belle, curiously. "No, no!" protested Mr. Starkweather, hurriedly. "Pa's so easy," complained Hortense. "If I had my way I wouldn't let her stay the day out." "But where would she go?" almost whined Mr. Starkweather. "Back where she came from." "Perhaps the folks there don't want her," said Belle. "Of course she's a pauper," observed Hortense. "Give her some money and send her away, Pa," begged Belle. "You ought to. She's not fit to associate with Flossie. You know just how Floss picks up every little thing----" "And she's that man's daughter, too, you know," remarked Belle. "Ahem!" said their father, weakly. "It's not decent to have her here." "Of course, other people will remember what Morrell did. It will make a scandal for us." "I cannot help it! I cannot help it!" cried Mr. Starkweather, suddenly breaking out and battling against his daughters as he sometimes did when they pressed him too closely. "I cannot send her away." "Well, she mustn't be encouraged to stay," declared Hortense. "I should say not," rejoined Belle. "And getting up at this hour to breakfast," Hortense sniffed. Helen Morrell wore strong, well-made walking boots. Good shoes were something that she could always buy in Elberon. But usually she walked lightly and springily. Now she came stamping through the small hall, and on the heels of the last remark, flung back the curtain and strode into the den. "Hullo, folks!" she cried. "Goodness! don't you get up till noon here in town? I've been clean out to your city park while I waited for you to wash your faces. Uncle Starkweather! how be you?" She had grabbed the hand of the amazed gentleman and was now pumping it with a vigor that left him breathless. "And these air two of your gals?" quoth Helen. "I bet I can pick 'em out by name," and she laughed loudly. "This is Belle; ain't it? Put it thar!" and she took the resisting Belle's hand and squeezed it in her own brown one until the older girl winced, muscular as she herself was. "And this is 'Tense--I know!" added the girl from Sunset Ranch, reaching for the hand of her other cousin.