make us some beaten biscuit for supper by
that recipe that you know is infallible, and do not add to Page's burden
whatever it is, by trying your sentimental remedies on him."

XIV

WHAT THE SETTING SUN REVEALED

I heard Zura softly singing as she went about her work. She sang more
and talked less in the two weeks that followed our Thanksgiving
celebration than ever before since I had known her. In that time we had
not seen Page. In our one talk of what we had seen in the garden Zura
simply remarked that she supposed what we heard Page say meant he
dreaded to tell somebody of the loss of his fortune and family. She
lightly scoffed at my suggestion of anything more serious. I prayed that
might be true, but why his confusion and evasion?

Thoughts of the boy and his secret would have weighed heavily upon me
had it not been for my joy in seeing day by day the increasing sweetness
and graciousness of my adopted child. Her gentleness of manner and
speech often caused me to wonder if she could be the same untamed hoyden
of some months ago. Every day I prided myself on my quick understanding
of girls, also of the way to rear them. It made me more than happy to
see what I was accomplishing with Jane's help. While it was no royal
road to peace and happiness which we traveled, for Zura's impatience
with the Orient and its ways, her rebellion against the stigma laid upon
Eurasians, brought the shadows upon many a day's sunshine, yet, as the
time slipped by, there seemed to be a growing contentment. There were
fewer references made to a definite return to America. In the prospect
of her permanent stay with me, I found great joy.

Her high spirits found expression in her work. Her love of excitement
fed on encounters with Ishi and in teasing Jane.

One afternoon she locked the old gardener up in a tea-house till he
apologized for some disrespect. She detained him till intense fear of
the coming darkness induced him to submit.

One night Jane brought home a long bundle.

"A new dress, Saint Jinny?" asked Zura.

"No, honey, I haven't had a store dress in ten years. One somebody is
through with becomes me quite well. These are the models for my
hospital."

"You mean plans, don't you? You wouldn't be caught bringing home a
model. Models are ladies who would be overcome by the superfluous
drapery of a dress. My daddy used them for pictures in his studio. Sit
right down here by the fire, Miss Jaygray, and while you di