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That night, Miguel Farrel did not sleep in the great bed of hisancestors. Instead, he lay beneath his grandmother's silk crazy-quiltand suffered. The shock incident to the discovery of the desperatestraits to which he had been reduced had, seemingly, deprived him of thepower to think coherently. Along toward daylight, however, what withsheer nervous exhaustion, he fell into a troubled doze from which he wasawakened at seven o'clock by the entrance of Pablo, with a pitcher of hotwater for his shaving.
"Carolina will serve breakfast, Don Miguel," he announced. "The Japanesecook tried to throw her out of the kitchen; so I have locked him up inthe room where of old I was wont to place vaqueros who desired to settletheir quarrels without interference."
"How about food, Pablo?"
"Unfortunately, Father Dominic had neither sugar nor cream. It appearssuch things are looked upon at the mission as luxuries, and the padreshave taken the vow of poverty. He could furnish nothing save half a ham,which is of Brother Flavio's curing, and very excellent. I have tastedit before. I was forced to ride to the Gonzales rancho for the cream andsugar this morning, and have but a few moments ago returned."
Having deposited the pitcher of hot water, Pablo retired and, for severalminutes, Miguel Farrel lay abed, gazing at the row of portraits ofNoriagas and Farrels. His heart was heavy enough still, but the firstbenumbing shock of his grief and desperation had passed, and his naturalcourage and common sense were rapidly coming to his aid. He told himselfthat, with the dawning of the new day, he would no longer afford theluxury of self-pity, of vain repining for the past. He had to be up anddoing, for a man's-sized task now confronted him. He had approximatelyseven months in which to rehabilitate an estate which his forebears hadbeen three generations in dissipating, and the Gaelic and Celtic blood inhim challenged defeat even in the very moment when, for all he knew tothe contrary, his worldly assets consisted of approximately sixtydollars, the bonus given him by the government when parting with hisservices.
"I'll not give up without a battle," he told his ancestors aloud."You've all contributed to my heavy load, but while the pack-straps holdand I can stand and see, I'll carry it. I'll fight this man Parker up tothe moment he hands the county recorder the commissioner's deed and theRancho Palomar has slipped out of my hands forever. But I'll fight fair.That splendid girl--ah, pooh! Why am I thinking of her?"
Disgusted with himself for having entertained, for a fleeting instant, aslight sentimental consideration for the daughter of his enemy--for assuch he now regarded this man who planned to colonize the San Gregoriowith Japanese farmers--he got out of bed and under the cold shower-bathhe had installed in the adjoining room years before. It, together withthe tub-bath formerly used by his father, was the only plumbing in thehacienda, and Farrel was just a little bit proud of it. He shaved,donned clean linen and an old dressing-gown, and from his closet broughtforth a pair of old tan riding-boots, still in an excellent state ofrepair. From his army-kit he produced a boot-brush and a can of tanpolish, and fell to work, finding in the accustomed task some slightsurcease from his troubles.
His boots polished to his satisfaction, he selected from the stock of oldcivilian clothing a respectable riding-suit of English whip-cord,inspected it carefully for spots, and, finding none, donned it. A cleanstarched chambray shirt, set off by a black-silk Windsor tie, completedhis attire, with the exception of a soft, wide, flat-brimmed gray-beaverhat, and stamped him as that which he had once been but was no longer--aCalifornia rancher of taste and means somewhat beyond the average.
It was twenty-five minutes past eight when he concluded his leisurelytoilet; so he stepped out of his room, passed round two sides of theporched patio, and entered the dining-room. The long dining-table, hewedby hand from fir logs by the first of the Noriagas, had its rough defectsof manufacture mercifully hidden by a snow-white cloth, and he noted withsatisfaction that places had been set for five persons. He hung his haton a wall-peg and waited with his glance on the door.
Promptly at eight-thirty, Carolina, smiling, happy, resplendent in aclean starched calico dress of variegated colors, stepped outside thedoor and rang vigorously a dinner-bell that had called three generationsof Noriagas and an equal number of generations of Farrels to their meals.As its musical notes echoed through the dewy patio, Murray, the butler,appeared from the kitchen. At sight of Farrel, he halted, puzzled, butrecognized in him almost instantly the soldier who had so mysteriouslyappeared at the house the night before. _El Mono_ was red of face andobviously controlling with difficulty a cosmic cataclysm.
"Sir," he announced, respectfully, "that Indian of yours has announcedthat he will shoot me if I attempt to serve breakfast."
Farrel grinned wanly.
"In that event, Murray," he replied, "if I were you, I should not attemptto serve breakfast. You might be interested to know that I am now masterhere and that, for the present, my own servants will minister to theappetites of my guests. Thank you for your desire to serve, but, for thepresent, you will not be needed here. If you will kindly step into thekitchen, Carolina will later serve breakfast to you and the maids."
"I'm quite certain I've never heard of anything so extraordinary," Murraymurmured. "Mrs. Parker is not accustomed to being summoned to breakfastwith a bell."
"Indeed? I'm glad you mentioned that, Murray. Perhaps you would be goodenough to oblige me by announcing breakfast to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, MissParker, and their guest, Mr. Okada."
"Thank you, sir," Murray murmured, and departed on his errand.
The first to respond to the summons was Kay. She was resplendent in astunning wash-dress and, evidently, was not prepared for the sight ofFarrel standing with his back to the black adobe fireplace. She pausedabruptly and stared at him frankly. He bowed.
"Good-morning, Miss Parker. I trust that, despite the excitement of theearly part of the night, you have enjoyed a very good rest."
"Good-morning, Don Miguel. Yes; I managed rather well with my sleep, allthings considered."
"You mustn't call me 'Don Miguel,'" he reminded her, with a faint smile."I am only Don Miguel to the Indians and _pelados_ and a few of myfather's old Spanish friends who are sticklers for etiquette. My fatherwas one of the last dons in San Marcos County, and the title fitted himbecause he belonged to the generation of dons. If you call me, 'DonMiguel,' I shall feel a little bit alien."
"Well, I agree with you, Mr. Farrel. You are too young and modern forsuch an antiquated title. I like 'Don Mike' better."
"There is no further need for that distinguishing appellation," hereminded her, "since my father's death."
She looked at him for several seconds and said:
"I'm glad to see you've gotten a firm grip on yourself so soon. Thatwill make it ever so much nicer for everybody concerned. Mother andfather are fearfully embarrassed."
"I shall endeavor to relieve them of their embarrassment the instant Imeet them."
"Here they come now," Kay warned, and glanced at him appealingly.
Her mother entered first, followed by the potato baron, with Parkerbringing up the rear. Mrs. Parker's handsome face was suffused withconfusion, and, from the hesitant manner in which she entered, Farrelrealized she was facing an ordeal.
"Mother, this is Mr. Miguel Farrel," Kay announced.
"You are welcome to my poor house, Mrs. Parker," Farrel informed her,gravely, as he crossed the room and bent over her hand for a moment,releasing it to grasp the reluctant hand of her husband. "A doublewelcome, sir," he said, addressing Kay's father, who mumbled something inreply and introduced him to the potato baron, who bowed ceremoniously.
"Won't you please be seated?" Farrel pleaded. He gently steered Kay'smother to the seat on his right, and tucked her chair in under her, whileParker performed a similar service for his daughter. With the assuranceof one whose right to do was unquestioned, Farrel took his seat at thehead of the table and reached for the little silver call-bell beside hisplate, while Parker took an
unaccustomed seat opposite the potato baron.
"Considering the distressing circumstances under which I arrived," Farrelobserved, addressing himself to Mrs. Parker, and then, with a glance,including the rest of the company, "I find myself rather happy in thepossession of unexpected company. The situation is delightfullyunique--don't you think so, Mrs. Parker?"
"It isn't the least bit delightful, Mr. Farrel," the lady declaredfrankly and forcibly; "but it's dear of you to be so nice about it."
Mr. Parker's momentary embarrassment had passed, and with the feelingthat his silence was a trifle disconcerting, he rallied to meet MiguelFarrel's attempt at gaiety.
"Well, Mr. Farrel, we find ourselves in a unique position, as you say.Kay informs me, however, that you are conversant with the circumstancesthat have conspired to make us your guests."
"Pray do not mention it. Under the peculiar conditions existing, I quiterealize that you followed the only logical and sensible course."
Mrs. Parker heaved a small sigh of relief and gazed upon Farrel with newinterest. He returned her gaze with one faintly quizzical, whereat,emboldened, she demanded,
"Well, what do you think of us for a jolly little band of usurpers, Mr.Farrel?"
"Why, I think I'm going to like you all very much if you'll give me halfa chance."
"I'd give you almost anything rather than be kicked out of this house,"she replied, in her somewhat loud, high-pitched voice. "I love it, and Ithink it's almost sinful on your part to have bobbed up so unexpectedly."
"Mother!" Kay cried reproachfully.
"Tut, tut, Kay, dear! When an obnoxious heir is reported dead, he shouldhave the decency to stay dead, although, now that our particular nuisanceis here, alive and well, I suppose we ought to let bygones be bygones andbe nice to him--provided, of course, he continues to be nice to us. Areyou inclined to declare war, Mr. Farrel?"
"Not until every diplomatic course has been tried and found wanting," hereplied.
Carolina entered, bearing five portions of sliced oranges.
"O Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassagainst us," Mrs. Parker cried. "Where is Murray?"
Farrel glanced down at his oranges and grinned.
"I'm afraid I excused Murray," he confessed.
Mrs. Parker burst into shrill laughter.
"John," she demanded of her husband, "what do you think of this youngman?"
"Pick up the marbles, Mr. Farrel," Parker replied, with poorly assumedgood humor. "You win."
"I think this is a jolly adventure," Kay struck in, quick to note theadvantage of her outspoken mother's course. "Here you have been morethan two months, mother, regarding yourself as the mistress of the RanchoPalomar, retinting rooms, putting in modern plumbing, and cluttering upthe place with a butler and maids, when--presto!--overnight a strangerwalks in and says kindly, 'Welcome to my poor house!' After which, heappropriates pa's place at the head of the table, rings in his own cookand waitress, forces his own food on us, and makes us like it. Youngman, I greatly fear we're going to grow fond of you."
"You had planned to spend the summer here, had you not, Mrs. Parker?"
"Yes. John Parker, have you any idea what's going to become of us?"
"We'll go to Santa Barbara and take rooms at a hotel there for thepresent," he informed her.
"I loathe hotels," she protested.
"I think I informed you, Mrs. Parker, that you are welcome to my poorhouse," Farrel reminded her. "I shall be happy to have you remain hereuntil I go away. After that, of course, you can continue to stay onwithout any invitation from me."
Parker spoke up.
"My dear Mr. Farrel, that is charming of you! Indeed, from all that wehave heard of you, it is exactly the course we might expect you to take.Nevertheless, we shall not accept of your kindness. Now that you arehere, I see no reason why I should impose the presence of my family andmyself upon your hospitality, even if the court has given me the right toenter upon this property. I am confident you are competent to manage theranch until I am eliminated or come into final possession."
"John, don't be a nut," his wife implored him. "We'll stay here. Yes,we shall, John. Mr. Farrel has asked us in good faith. You weren'ttrying to be polite just to put us at our ease, were you?" she demanded,turning to Farrel.
"Certainly not, Mrs. Parker. Of course, I shall do my level best toacquire the legal right to dispossess you before Mr. Parker acquires asimilar right to dispossess me, but, in the interim, I announce anarmistice. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying'Aye.'"
"Aye!" cried Kay, and "Aye!" shrilled her mother.
"No!" roared her husband.
"Excess of sound has no weight with me, Mr. Parker," their hostannounced. "The 'Ayes' have it, and it is so ordered. I will now submita platform for the approval of the delegates. Having established myselfas host and won recognition as such, the following rules and regulationswill govern the convention."
"Hear! Hear!" cried Mrs. Parker, and tapped the table with her spoon.
"The rapid ringing of a bell will be the signal for meals."
"Approved!" cried Kay.
"Second the motion!" shrilled her mother.
"My cook, Carolina, is queen of the kitchen, and Spanish cuisine willprevail. When you weary of it, serve notice, and your Japanese cook willbe permitted to vary the monotony."
"Great!" Mrs. Parker almost yelled. "Right as a fox!"
"Murray shall serve meals, and--"
Pablo appeared in the door leading to the kitchen and spoke to Farrel inSpanish.
"Pardon, folks. Pablo has a telegram for me. Bring it here, Pablo."
The master of Palomar excused himself to his guests long enough to readthe telegram, and then continued the announcement of his platform.
"My old battery commander, to whom I had promised Panchito, wires methat, for his sins, he has been made a major and ordered to the Army ofOccupation on the Rhine. Therefore, he cannot use Panchito, and forbidsme to express the horse to him. Consequently, Miss Parker, Panchito is_almost_ yours. Consider him your property while you remain my guest."
"You darling Don Miguel Farrel!"
"Exuberant, my dear," her curious mother remarked, dryly, "but, on thewhole, the point is well taken." She turned to Farrel. "How about somesort of nag for mother?"
"You may ride my father's horse, if that animal is still on the ranch,Mrs. Parker. He's a beautiful single-footer." He addressed Parker. "Weused to have a big gray gelding that you'd enjoy riding, sir. I'll lookhim up for you after breakfast."
"Thank you, Mr. Farrel," Parker replied, flushing slightly, "I've beenriding him already."
"Fine! He needed exercising. I have a brown mare for Mr. Okada, and youare all invited out to the corral after luncheon to see me bustPanchito's wild young brother for my own use."
"Oh, splendid!" Kay cried, enthusiastically.
"The day starts more auspiciously than I had hoped," her mother declared."I really believe the Rancho Palomar is going to develop into a regularplace with you around, Mr. Farrel."