CHAPTER III--THAT BLESSED BABY!
"Oh, you darling!"
"It's my turn, Patsy! Don't be selfish. Let me kiss her again."
"That's enough, Beth. Here--give me my niece!"
"She's mine, too."
"Give me that baby! There; you've made her cry."
"I haven't; she's laughing because I kissed her wee nose."
"Isn't she a dear, though?"
"Now, girls," suggested Louise, "suppose we give Uncle John and themajor a peep at her."
Reluctantly the bundle was abandoned to its mother, who carried it towhere Mr. Merrick was nervously standing. "Yes, yes," he said, touchingone cheek gently with the tip of his finger. "It--it's a fine child,Louise; really a--a--creditable child. But--eh--isn't it rather--soft?"
"Of course, Uncle John. All babies are soft. Aren't you going to kisslittle Jane?"
"It--won't--hurt it?"
"Not a bit. Haven't Beth and Patsy nearly kissed its skin off?"
"Babies," asserted Major Doyle, stiffly, "were made to be kissed.Anyhow, that's the penalty they pay for being born helpless." And withthis he kissed little Jane on both cheeks with evident satisfaction.
This bravado encouraged Uncle John to do likewise, but after theoperation he looked sheepish and awkward, as if he felt that he hadtaken an unfair advantage of the wee lady.
"She seems very red, Louise," he remarked, to cover his embarrassment.
"Oh, no, Uncle! Everyone says she's the whitest baby of her age theyever saw. She's only five months old, remember."
"Dear me; how very young."
"But she's getting older every day," said Arthur, coming in from thegarage. "What do you folks think of her, anyhow?"
The rhapsodies were fairly bewildering, yet very pleasant to the youngfather and mother. While they continued, Mildred Travers quietly tookthe child from Louise and tenderly bent over it. Only the major notedthe little scene that ensued.
The eyes of the dark-skinned Mexican girl flashed sudden fire. Shepulled Mildred's sleeve and then fell back discomfited as the cold,fathomless eyes of the trained nurse met her own. For an instant thegirl stood irresolute; then with a quick, unexpected motion she tore theinfant from Mildred's arms and rushed into the house with it.
Arthur, noticing this last action, laughed lightly. The major frowned.Mildred folded her arms and stood in the background unmoved andunobtrusive. Louise was chatting volubly with her two cousins.
"Was that the same Mexican girl who fed the baby chile con carne?"inquired Uncle John anxiously.
"Mercy, no!" cried Arthur. "What ever put such an idea into your head?"
"I believe the major suggested it," replied the little man. "Anyhow, itwas something hot, so Louise wrote."
"Oh, yes; when Toodlums had the colic. It was some queer Mexican remedy,but I'm confident it saved the child's life. The girl is a treasure."
Uncle John coughed and glanced uneasily at Miss Travers, who pretendednot to have overheard this conversation. But the major was highly amusedand decided it was a good joke on Mr. Merrick. It was so good a jokethat it might serve as a basis for many cutting remarks in futurediscussions. His brother-in-law was so seldom guilty of an error injudgment that Major Doyle, who loved to oppose him because he was sofond of him, hailed Uncle John's present predicament with pure joy.
Louise created a welcome diversion by ushering them all into the houseand through the stately rooms to the open court, where a luncheon tablewas set beneath the shade of the palms.
Here was the baby again, with the Mexican girl, Inez, hugging itdefiantly to her bosom as she sat upon a stone bench.
Between the infant, the excitement of arrival and admiration for theWeldon establishment, so far surpassing their most ardent anticipations,Beth and Patsy had little desire for food. Uncle John and the major,however, did ample justice to an excellent repast, which was served bytwo more Mexican maids.
"Do you employ only Mexicans for servants?" inquired Uncle John, whenfinally the men were left alone to smoke while the girls, under Louise'sguidance, explored the house.
"Only Mexicans, except for the Chinese cook," replied Arthur. "It isimpossible to get American help and the Japs I won't have. Some of theranch hands have been on the place for years, but the house servants Ihired after I come here."
"A lazy lot, eh?" suggested the major.
"Quite right, sir. But I find them faithful and easy to manage. You willnotice that I keep two or three times as many house servants as asimilar establishment would require in the east; but they are contentwith much smaller wages. It's the same way on the ranch. Yet without theMexicans the help problem would be a serious one out here."
"Does the ranch pay?" asked Mr. Merrick.
"I haven't been here long enough to find out," answered Arthur, with asmile. "So far, I've done all the paying. We shall harvest a big orangecrop next month, and in time the olives will mature; but I've an ideathe expenses will eat up the receipts, by the end of the year."
"No money in a California ranch, eh?"
"Why, some of my neighbors are making fortunes, I hear; but they areexperienced ranchers. On the other hand, my next neighbor at the northis nearly bankrupt, because he's a greenhorn from the east. Some time,when I've learned the game, I hope to make this place something morethan a plaything."
"You'll stay here, then?" asked the major, with astonishment. "It's themost delightful country on earth, for a residence. You'll admit that,sir, when you know it better."
Meantime the baggage wagon arrived and Patsy and Beth, having picked outtheir rooms, began to unpack and "settle" in their new quarters.