right-of-way troubles, and they are perfectly terrible. One report
said they were arming the laboring men, and another said the militia
might have to be called out."

"Well, what of it?" said Virginia, with all the hardihood of youth and
unknowledge. "It's something like a burning building: one doesn't want
to be hard-hearted and rejoice over other people's misfortunes; but
then, if it has to burn, one would like to be there to see."

Miss Bessie put a stray lock of the flaxen hair up under its proper
comb.

"I'm sure I prefer California and the orange-groves and peace," she
asserted. "Don't you, Cousin Billy?"

What Mr. Calvert would have replied is no matter for this history,
since at this precise moment the Rajah came in, "coruscating," as
Virginia put it, from his late encounter with the superintendent's
chief clerk.

"Give them the word to go, Jastrow, and let's get out of heah," he
commanded. And when the secretary had vanished the Rajah made his
explanations to all and sundry. "I've been obliged in a manneh to
change ouh itinerary. Anotheh company is trying to fault us up in
Qua'tz Creek Canyon, and I am in a meashuh compelled to be on the
ground. We shall be delayed only a few days, I hope; at the worst only
until the first snow-storm comes; and, in the meantime, Califo'nia
won't run away."

Virginia clapped her hands.