deepened in order that the supply
might last through the dry season. Not far away stood a small frame
house. In harvest times the laborers on the ranch occupied this small
house as a lodging for the night when the distance made it impossible
for them to return to their own homes.

By a piece of rare good fortune Mrs. Burton was able for almost a
nominal sum to rent this little place for her sister and herself.

The shack was lightly built, the roof formed of dried palm branches laid
the one upon the other until the effect was like a thatched roof,
although neither so warm nor so secure. Since it never rains during the
summer in southern California, one requires only protection from the sun
and wind. Near the house the camp-fire tents were set up in the form of
a crescent.

Behind them the ranch stretched on for miles, a thousand-acre carpet of
small green plants. For, as Marta Clark remarked when they were
traveling down the state, it appeared as if California were preparing to
provide the world with one gigantic bean feast.

Several hundreds of yards away the beach was silver and purple and rose
with the sea verbena and ice plants which spread like a colorful
embroidery over the sands. Here and there were tiny coves and clumps of
rocks.

Near the camping site there was no main traveled road, but a small
branch one which would improve with use. The closest place of human
habitation was a seaside colony of artists, perhaps a mile or more
beyond.

Here Mrs. Burton was able to find a garage for her automobile.

Partly because she was actually in need of his services and more to
impress him with the idea, Mrs. Burton had persuaded Dan Webster to take
charge of her car during the summer. As a matter of fact, aside from
Billy, who did not always count, Dan was the only masculine person at
the Sunrise camp, Mr. Jefferson Simpson having departed as casually as
he originally had arrived, soon after the tents were set up.

Mrs. Burton preferred being shut away from strangers during their
holidays and presumed the girls shared her desire.

Soon after their conversation about the camp fire a new regime of war
economy was established at Sunrise camp. There were uncomfortable
moments when strange dishes of none too appetizing a character were
produced. But always the cooks declared it the fault of the too
particular persons who refused to partake of them and not of the food
itself. They did acquire new methods of bread ma