Genevieve was even more convinced of this when, just before dinner, in response to a summons from Tilly's voice she stepped out on to the little balcony leading from her room. The balcony overlooked an inner court, and was hung with riotous moon-vines. Down in the court a silvery fountain played among palms and banana trees. Here and there a cactus plant thrust spiny arms into the air. Somewhere else queen's wreath and devil's ivy made a tiny bower of loveliness. While everywhere were electric lights and roses, matching one against the other their brilliant hues. "Genevieve, I--I think I'm going to c-cry," wailed Tilly's sobbing voice from the adjoining balcony. "Cry!--when it's all so lovely!" exclaimed Genevieve. Tilly nodded. "Yes. That's why I want to," she quavered. "Honestly, Genevieve, if I stay here long I shall be writing poetry like Quentina--I know I shall!" "If you do, just let me read it, that's all," retorted Genevieve, saucily. "Where's Cordelia?" "Off somewhere with Elsie and Bertha. She got dressed early--but I sha'n't get dressed at all if I don't go about it." At that moment there was the sound of a scream, then the patter of running feet in the court below. "Why, there they are now," cried Genevieve, leaning over the railing. "Girls, girls!" she called, regardless of others in the court. "Look up here! What's the matter?" The girls stopped, and looked up. Cordelia, only, cast an apprehensive glance over her shoulder. "It's an alligator in the fountain in the other court," explained Elsie. "Bertha said she heard there was one there, and so we went to see--and we found out." "I should say we did," shuddered Cordelia, still with her head turned backward. "I sha'n't sleep a wink to-night--I know I sha'n't!" "An alligator--really?" cried Tilly. "Then I'm going to hurry and get ready so I can see him before dinner," she finished, as she whisked into her room. Dinner that night, in the brilliantly lighted, flower-decked dining-room was an experience never to be forgotten by the girls. "I didn't suppose there were such bea-_u_-tiful dresses in the world," sighed Elsie, looking about her. Mr. Hartley smiled. "I reckon you'd think so, Miss Elsie," he said, "if you could see the place when it's in full swing. It's too early yet for the real tourist season, I imagine. Anyhow, there aren't so many people here as I've always seen before." "Well, I shouldn't ask it to be any nicer, anyway," declared Bertha; and the rest certainly agreed with her. Bright and early the next morning the Happy Hexagons and Mr. Hartley started out sight-seeing. Mrs. Kennedy was too tired to go, she said. "I'll let business slip for an hour or two," Mr. Hartley remarked as they left the hotel; "at all events, until I get you young people started." "Hm-m; you mean, to--the Alamo?" hinted Genevieve, with merry eyes.