"I feel as if I knew Morr already. I
have met his father and mother several times in Washington."
"Yes, so dad wrote," answered the senator's son.
"And I feel as if I knew you, and Miss Belle," said Dave. "I've heard so
much about you from Laura."
"And we've heard so much about you!" cried Belle. "Oh, wasn't it simply
wonderful how you found your folks! Why, it's almost like a page out of
a fairy book!"
"Not quite," put in Phil. "Fairy stories aren't true, while this really
happened."
"Some day Dave has got to tell me the whole story from beginning to
end," said Belle. "You see, I'm going to call you Dave, and you must
call me Belle."
"Well, we can't stop for stories just now," said Mr. Endicott. "It's a
long ride to the ranch, and they'll be more than hungry by the time we
get there. Todd, bring up the horses, and tell Jerry to dump all the
baggage in the wagon. Do you all want to ride horseback, or does
somebody prefer a seat in the wagon?"
"Oh, let us ride horseback, if you have animals enough!" cried Laura.
"You're willing, aren't you, Jessie?"
"I--I guess so," said Jessie, rather timidly. "That is, if you don't
ride too fast."
"We'll take it easy," said Belle. "And if you get tired you can wait for
the wagon.
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