She welcomed the others with grace and that wide hospitality which
is only found, perhaps, in the West and among people of the great
outdoors. It arises from old times, when the wanderer, seeing a
campfire, was sure of a welcome if he approached, and a welcome
without questioning.

Mr. Hammond was equally glad to see the young folk. He spoke with a
pleasant drawl, and aside from his gray hair and beard revealed few
marks of age. His vigorous frame carried too much flesh, perhaps;
but that was, he said, "because he took it easy and let the boys
run things to suit themselves."

This last statement, however, Nan, who was observant, took with the
proverbial pinch of salt. The expression of his countenance was
kindly, but his character was firm and he spoke at times with a
decision that made the servants, for instance, hurry to obey him.
He was, indeed, a very forceful man; but Nan Sherwood liked him
immensely.

The rambling ranch house covered a deal of ground and was two
stories high. The rooms were low-ceilinged, the upper rooms
especially so. The girls who had come to visit Rhoda had a big,
plainly furnished, airy room on the upper floor, beside Rhoda's own
chamber. Walter had his choice of a bed or a hammock in a room
across the hall. The adults of the household were disposed below,
while the servants occupied quarters away from the main dwelling.

There was a water system which afforded plenty of baths, the clank
of the pump being heard in a steady murmur from somewhere behind