flounces! Look, Milton, see this little rascal pull at my handkerchief!"

Her cheeks were flushed, and as she looked up laughing from beneath her
hat, she made a very charming picture.

"You like," stated the Californian woman with conviction.

After a while it became time to go. Vaqueros brought out the horse and
harnessed it to the buggy. Keith made a movement to offer payment, but
correctly interpreted the situation and refrained. They mounted the
vehicle.

"_Muchas gracias!_" Nan enunciated slowly.

This effort was received with an admiring acclaim that flushed Nan with an
inordinate pride. She had picked up the phrase from hearing it used at
table. The fat woman came forward, one of the puppies tucked under her arm.
In spite of her apparently unwieldy size she moved gracefully and lightly.

"You like?" she inquired, holding the squirming puppy at arm's length.

"_Si, si, muchas gracias!_" cried Nan eagerly, and employing at once all
her Spanish vocabulary. She deposited the puppy in her lap and reached out
to shake hands. Keith flicked the horse with his whip. He, too, had
recollected a word of Spanish, and he used it now.

"_Adios!_" he shouted.

But their hosts had a better phrase.