er life to the early hours
of the ranch, she had not yet learned to sleep as late as the other
members of the family. She tossed about in bed for half an hour, vainly
trying to go to sleep again, and then suddenly determined to get up.

"If I could only have a canter on Roland, or a good long tramp before
breakfast," she thought, with a regretful sigh, "I know it would clear
the cobwebs from my brain, and I should feel ever so much better. But
since that is out of the question, I may as well answer Undine's letter.
She will like a letter all to herself, and I shall have plenty of time
to write before the others are up."

Accordingly, as soon as she was dressed, she sat down at her desk, and
began a letter, which she was determined to make as bright and cheerful
as possible.

"NEW YORK, November 28th.

"DEAR UNDINE:

"I was delighted to get your nice letter last
week, but this is the very first spare moment I
have had in which to answer it. It is still very
early--only a little after six--and nobody else is
up, but I can't get accustomed to the queer New
York hours. Just think, nobody has breakfast much
before half past eight, and instead of dinner at
twelve or one, we don't dine till half past seven.
I thought I should be dreadfully hungry when I
first heard at what hour New York people dined,
but really luncheon--which they have in the middle
of the day--is almost the same as dinner. I have
eaten so much since I came here that I am sure I
must have gained pounds already.

"I wrote Father all about the football game, and
what a wonderful day I had. Since then we have had
Thanksgiving, and that was very pleasant too,
though of course not as exciting as the football
match and the motor ride. We all dined with Aunt
Julia's sister, Mrs. Lamont. Mrs. Lamont's son,
who is an artist, and very clever, drew funny
sketches on all the dinner cards, and his sister
made up the verses. I think my card was lovely; it
had a picture of a girl riding a horse, and the
verse underneath was:

"'Welcome, Western stranger
To our Thanksgiving board,
May you have a jolly time,
And not be very bored