The Californians

  XIX

  Trennahan was again left to his own devices. He amused himselfinspecting the stable, a most unpretentious structure, containing allthat was absolutely indispensable and no more. Attached to the farmhousein an adjoining field was a barn for the work-horses. The stable-boy didduty as guide, and conducted Trennahan through the dairy, granary,carpenter shop, and various other outbuildings. It was all very plain,but very substantial, the symbol of a fortune that would last;altogether unlike the accepted idea of California, that State of rocketsand sticks.

  But, for the matter of that, thought Trennahan, all things should bestable in this land of dreaming nature. He had been told since hisarrival that everything had been in a rut since the great Bonanzaplague; but assuredly this archaic repose must be its naturalatmosphere; its fevers must always be sporadic and artificial.

  Yes, he thought, it is a good place to die in. It would have beenintolerable ten years ago, but it seems little short of paradise when aman has dry rot in him. And that girl looked remarkably well with thoseroses in her hair. Poor thing!

  Magdalena came down to the verandah a few moments before the char-a-bancdrove up. She wore a buff lawn, simply made by the family seamstress,and a large straw hat trimmed with daisies. She had taken the flowersout of her hair, but had pinned a large cluster of red roses at herwaist. Altogether she looked her best, and felt that she might be ableto hold her own against the other girls.

  One secret of Trennahan's charm for women was that he never overlookedtheir little efforts to please him. He said immediately,--

  "Yellow and red were made for you. You should leave white for those whocannot stand the fury of colour."

  She was keenly alive to the pleasures of appreciation, but merely askedif he had managed to amuse himself.

  "Fairly well, considering that you deserted me."

  "But they almost always leave the men alone down here in the daytime,Tiny says. She says that all they come for is to get away from SanFrancisco, and that they prefer to go to sleep on the verandah or thelawns."

  "I should not have guessed that Miss Montgomery was cynical. I fancy shefinds entertaining in the open air rather sleepy work herself. Orperhaps she thinks they are sufficiently honoured in being asked withinthe sacred precincts of Menlo Park," he added mischievously. "I havebeen given to understand that it _is_ an honour."

  "We keep very much to ourselves," said Magdalena, gravely. "We nevercare to know new people unless we are sure that we shall like them."

  To flirt with her a little, or rather to flirt at her, was irresistible.He bent over her, smiling and compelling her gaze. "And how can I besure that you will not find me wanting?" he asked; "not like me at all amonth hence? I think I should wait at least that time before buying thisplace."

  She shook her head seriously. "I am sure we are all going to like you.While you were with papa last night, Tiny and Ila and Mrs. Washingtonand Rose and Caro all said they hoped you would buy the Mark Smithplace. Ila said she had not come back to California to talk to children;and Tiny--who is not really enthusiastic--said you were one of the fewmen she ever wanted to see a second time. Mrs. Washington said, 'Aman-of-the-world at this last end of creation, stepping off landing--'"

  "I am more flattered than I can possibly express, but I want to knowwhat _you_ think about it. Shall you tire of me?"

  "Oh, I think not. I am sure I shall not."

  "Do you want me to buy this place?"

  She looked at him helplessly. Instinct whispered that he was unfair, butshe had no anger for him. "I--I--think I do," she said. "I--I think youknow I do." And then she did feel a little angry with him.

  He drew back at once. "You are my first friend, you know," he said inhis ordinary manner. "I should not think of settling near you unless Iwere sure of not boring you. But I believe we have tastes in common, andI hope you will let me come over often."

  "You will be always welcome," she said formally. Her anger had gone,leaving a chill in its wake.

  The char-a-banc drove up. Mrs. Yorba descended simultaneously. Hervirtues were many, and one of them was punctuality.