Jean had gladly accepted the offer. "It would be just the thing," she said. Then they could really see why she loved the mesa as she did, and especially her very own corner of it. The dogs would be glad of company, for she had driven the three cows that very morning to the neighboring homestead, and except for the chickens, Watch and King were all alone. The cabin door had no lock, and they might go right in and make themselves at home. There was an extra cot in the kitchen, bedding in plenty, and loads of food supplies. She would simply love to have them do it! Virginia had turned questioningly to the listening Vigilantes. "Let's!" said Mary. "Oh, do let's!" cried Priscilla. "Of course," faltered Vivian, insuperably buoyed up by company. "All right," said Jean MacDonald as she turned Robert Bruce toward the road. "It's settled then! There's plenty of butter and milk in the creek-refrigerator--I left them there--and lots of fish in the creek. You'll have to rustle your own wood, I guess. Help yourselves to everything! Good-by!" William, who was working among his flowers, had waited only for Aunt Nan's approval. Now that it had come, he was off to saddle the horses, while the excited Vigilantes flew to get into their riding-clothes. "I'm so glad you dared to suggest it, Virginia," said Priscilla, struggling with her boot lacings. "I thought of it, too--that's what I meant by nudging you--but, of course, I wouldn't have liked to propose it. In the two weeks I've been here, I've had the best time I ever had in my life, and I really believe this is going to be the best of all." "I suppose," observed Virginia, "that the boys will be more or less disappointed because we won't be here to go on the gopher hunt, but we can shoot dozens of gophers any day." "Of course," returned Vivian, who had never shot one in her life. "Of course," echoed Mary, who was in the same class with Vivian. "Besides," continued Priscilla, "the experience of shooting a gopher, while doubtless thrilling in the extreme, doesn't compare for one moment with homesteading. Do you know, girls, I believe I'll take along my Thought Book. Something might come to me!" "I would, if I were you," acquiesced Virginia. "No, Hannah, dear," she added, turning to the faithful retainer in the doorway, "we don't want a thing to eat. Thank you just as much. It wouldn't be homesteading at all if we carried food. Jean says there are plenty of supplies out there. We're just going to take our night-dresses and combs and tooth-brushes and Priscilla's Thought Book." Hannah smiled dubiously. "Supplies is all right, deary," said she, "but who's going to cook them?" "I can make biscuits, I think," offered Mary. "At least, I did once." Virginia thought for a moment, uncertain of her contribution. "I'm sure I can fry fish," she said. "I've seen you do it a hundred times, Hannah."