I need not say that those atrociously leveling sentiments were received
by the young ladies with that feminine scorn which is only qualified
by misconception. Rose, who, under the influence of her hostess, had a
vague impression that they sounded something like the French Revolution,
and that Adele must feel like the Princess Elizabeth, rushed to her
relief like a good girl. "But, major, now, YOU'RE a gentleman, and if
YOU had been driving that roller, you know you would have turned out for
us."

"I don't know about that," said the major, mischievously; "but if I
had, I should have known that the other fellow who accepted it wasn't a
gentleman."

But Rose, having sufficiently shown her partisanship in the discussion,
after the feminine fashion, did not care particularly for the logical
result. After a moment's silence she resumed: "And the wheat ranch
below--is that carried on in the same way?"

"Yes. But their landlord is a bank, who advances not only the land, but
the money to work it, and doesn't ride around in a buggy with a couple
of charmingly distracting young ladies."

"And do they all share alike?" continued Rose, ignoring the pleasantry,
"big and little--that young inventor with the rest?"

She stopped. She felt the ingenue's usually complacent eyes suddenly
fixed upon her with an unhallowed precocity, and as quickly withdrawn.
Without knowing why, she felt embarrassed, and changed the subject.