noon
After breakfast Irene attended to the wants of her father , and by this time the visiting doctor was manifesting impatience to be away . Other fees were calling him , and he assured Doctor Hardy , what the latter quite well knew , that nothing more could be done for him at present . He would come again at any time if summoned by the young man , or if his professional duties should bring him into the neighborhood of the Elden ranch . But Dave declared with prompt finality that the horses must rest until after noon , and the doctor , willy-nilly , spent the morning rambling in the foothills . Meanwhile the girl busied herself with work about the house , in which she was effecting a rapid transformation . After the mid-day dinner Dave harnessed the team for the journey to town , but before leaving inquired of Irene if there were any special purchases , either personal or for the use of the house , which she would recommend . With some diffidence she mentioned one that was uppermost in her thoughts : soap , both laundry and toilet .