Mrs. Brewster shook her head in a vain effort to discourage such
praise, then she turned to the Maynard girls, saying: "Do you
understand western horses? They are rather difficult at times, you
know."
"We ride daily when in Chicago," said Barbara, boastfully.
"But city horses are mere nags, Bob. These half-wild animals accustomed
to roaming the plains, are something worth while, you will find,"
laughed Anne.
"I'd advise your going to the corral and having Jeb try out the horses
for you, before you undertake any long jaunt," suggested Mrs. Brewster.
"We can visit the Cliffs this morning, and try riding this afternoon,"
added Polly eagerly.
"Then Bob and I will have to get our habits from one of the trunks in
the barn," said Eleanor.
"Bob and you run along and do that while Polly and I make the beds and
clear away the breakfast," ventured Anne, looking at Mrs. Brewster.
Barbara seemed as interested as any one.
So Barbara and Eleanor followed Mr. Brewster to the barn to point out
the trunk they wanted to open, while Polly cleared the table and Mrs.
Brewster went with Anne to make the beds. As they worked in the guest-
room, they exchanged confidences about the two visitors.
"It seems the lovely morning has had a salutary effect on Barbara's
feelings regarding Pebbly Pit," ventured Anne.
"I hope so," replied Mrs. Brewster, diffidently.
"You see, Eleanor is broad-minded--more like her father, but Bob takes
too much after her mother to adapt herself readily to such a radical
change as a ranch," continued Anne, apologetically.
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