“Yes, Mother,” Belle said dutifully, and started for the stairs. Then, with an expressive grimace, she shook her fist at Roy. “I’ll fix you for that, Roy Manley!” she threatened in a vibrant whisper. “You’ll see!” “Better get some of that corn bread, quick,” Teddy laughed, as he started toward the breakfast room. “You’ll need it, when Belle has decided what form her revenge will take!” The meal was soon concluded, and the boys made ready for their trip. They were to go in one of the ranch cars, although Belle wanted to ride her pony. But due to the fact that she would have to take a bag with her, Mr. Manley said the auto would be more convenient. Perhaps he did not care to have his daughter take the long ride to the 8 X 8 with wolves in the vicinity. “You can borrow a pony from Mr. Ball,” he told her. “The weather looks a bit uncertain, an’ I don’t want you to get caught in a storm. Yes, I think you’d better take the car.” By nine o’clock the young folks were on the road. Life on a ranch begins at seven in the morning, and to a cowboy anything between nine and twelve is the “forenoon.” To all outward appearances, Belle had forgotten the debt she owed Roy. But Teddy noticed her staring frequently at his brother with a speculative look in her eye. “She’ll make him pay somehow,” he chuckled to himself. “I hope she doesn’t include me in her plan of vengeance.” They reached the 8 X 8 a little after twelve. They were compelled to drive slowly on account of the condition of the roads, and arrived at the Peter Ball ranch later than they had expected. Nell Willis and Ethel, or “Curly,” Carew, who had been informed of their coming, were sitting on the porch as they drove up. These two girls were nieces of Peter Ball. Their home was in New York, and they had been staying with their uncle while their parents were traveling in Europe. “Greetings, voyagers!” Ethel called out, and ran to meet them. “How’s the sacred chariot running?” “Great!” Teddy answered. “Hitting on all thirteen. Hello, Nell--here’s Roy.” “I see him,” Nell laughed. “Belle, these brothers of yours haven’t changed much, have they?” “Well--” Belle considered. “Teddy is about the same. But Roy, you see, he’s--Oh, excuse me, Roy, I almost forgot. It nearly slipped out.” “What’s all this?” Ethel answered curiously. “Nell, here’s something we must look into!” “It’s nothing. She’s only kidding,” Roy declared, his face red. “She’s getting back at me for finding her book at home this morning.” “Finding my book at home--that’s right,” Belle said demurely. “Come, boys, take your little sister’s bag into the house. What are you blushing about, Roy?” “I’m not blushing,” Roy retorted furiously, and quite inaccurately. “Don’t pay any attention to her, Nell.” “But, Roy, there’s really no need of your getting flustered,” Belle said seriously, looking up into his face. “I didn’t tell--what I wasn’t supposed to--did I?” she finished in a thrilling whisper.