"Suppose we send Dr.Lawson，right away！"suggestedUncle John.
Patsy，still holding up the letter，turned her eyes upon them reproachfully.
"It's all over，"she said with a sigh.
The major dropped into a chair，limp and inert.Uncle John paled.
"The—the baby isn't—dead！"he gaspedb.
"No，indeed，"returned Patsy，again reading."But it had colicc most dreadfully，and Louise was in despair.But the nurse，a dark—skinned Mexican creature，gave it a dose ofsome horrid hot stuff—""Chile con carnea，most likely ！"ejaculated the major."Horrible！"cried Uncle John.
"And that cured the colic but almost burned poor little Jane's insides out.""Insides out！""However，Louise says the dear baby is now quite well again，"continued the girl.
"Perhaps so，when she wrote，"commented the major，wiping his forehead with a handkerchief；"but that's a week ago，at least.A thousand things might have happened to that child since then.Why was Arthur Weldon such a fool as to settle in a desert place，far away from all civilization？He ought to be prosecuted for cruelty.""The baby's all right，"said Patsy，soothingly."Ifanything serious happened，Louise would telegraph.""I doubt it，"said the major，walking the ？oor."I doubt if there's such a thing as a telegraph in all that forsaken country."Uncle John frowned.
"You are getting imbecile，Major.They've a lot more comforts and conveniences on that ranch than we have here in New York.""Name 'em ！"shouted the Major."I challenge ye tomention one thing we haven't right here in this ？at.""Chickens！"said Beth，re—entering the room in time tohear this challenge."How's the baby，Patsy ？""Growing like a weed，dear，and getting more lovely and cunning every second.Here—read the letter yourself."While Beth devoureda the news from California Uncle John replied to the major.
"At El Cajon Ranch，"said he，"there's a ？ne big housewhere the sunshine peeps in and floods the rooms every day in the year.Hear that blizzard howl outside，and think of the roses blooming this instant on the trellisb of Louise's window.Arthur has two automobiles and can get to town in twenty minutes.They've a long—distance telephone and I've talked with 'em over the line several times.""You have！"This in a surprised chorus.
"I have.Only last week I called Louise up."
"An expensive amusement，John，"said the major grimly.
"Yes；but I ？gured I could afford it.I own some telephonestock，you know，so I may get part of that investment back.They have their own cows，and chickens—as Beth truly says—and any morning they can pick oranges and grapefruit from their own trees for breakfast.""I'd like to see that precious baby，"remarked Beth，laying the letter on her lap to glance pleadingly at her uncle.
"Uncle John is going to take us to Bermuda，"said Patsyin a serious voice.
The little man ？ushed and sat down abruptly.The major，noting his attitude，became disturbed.
"You've all made the California trip，"said he."It doesn't pay to see any country twice.""But we haven't seen Arthur's ranch，"Beth remindedhim.
"Nor the baby，"added Patsy，regarding the back ofUncle John's head somewhat wistfullya.
The silence that followed was broken only by the major's low growls.The poor man already knew his fate.
"That chile—con—carne nurse ought to be discharged，"mumbled Uncle John，half audibly."Mexicans are stupid creatures to have around.I think we ought to take with us an experienced nurse，who is intelligent and up—to—date.""Oh，I know the very one！"exclaimed Beth."MildredTravers.She's perfectly splendid.I've watched her with that poor girl who was hurt at the school，and she's as gentle and skillful as she is re？ned.Mildred would bring up that baby to be as hearty and healthful as a young savage.""How soon could she go？"asked Uncle John.
"At an hour's notice，I'm sure.Trained nurses are used to sudden calls，you know.I'll see her to—morrow—if it's better weather.""Do，"said Uncle John."I suppose you girls can get readyby Saturday？""Of course！"cried Patsy and Beth in one voice.
"Then I'll make the reservations.Major Doyle，you will arrange your business to accompany us.""I won't！""You will，or I'll discharge you.You're working for me，aren't you？""I am，sir.""Then obey orders."
