Dan , you are a first-class trump ! ' cried the boy . ' A whole Indian dress for me ! Now I can play Namioka , if the boys act Metamora , ' added Josie , clapping her hands . ' A buffalo 's head for Bess ! Good gracious , Dan , why did you bring such a horrid thing as that to her ? ' asked Nan . ` Thought it would do her good to model something strong and natural . She 'll never amount to anything if she keeps on making namby-pamby gods and pet kittens , ' answered irreverent Dan , remembering that when he was last here Bess was vibrating distractedly between a head of Apollo and her Persian cat as models . ` Thank you ; I 'll try it , and if I fail we can put the buffalo up in the hall to remind us of you , ' said Bess , indignant at the insult offered the gods of her idolatry , but too well bred to show it except in her voice , which was as sweet and as cold as ice-cream . ' I suppose you wo n't come out to see our new settlement when the rest do ? Too rough for you ? ' asked Dan , trying to assume the deferential air all the boys used when addressing their Princess . ' I am going to Rome to study for years . All the beauty and art of the world is there , and a lifetime is n't long enough to enjoy it , ' answered Bess . ` Rome is a mouldy old tomb compared to the `` Garden of the gods '' and my magnificent Rockies . I do n't care a hang for art ; nature is as much as I can stand , and I guess I could show you things that would knock your old masters higher than kites . Better come , and while Josie rides the horses you can model 'em . If a drove of a hundred or so of wild ones ca n't show you beauty , I 'll give up , ' cried Dan , waxing enthusiastic over the wild grace and vigour which he could enjoy but had no power to describe . ` I 'll come some day with papa , and see if they are better than the horses of St Mark and those on Capitol Hill .
Please do n't abuse my gods , and I will try to like yours , ' said XXXXX , beginning to think the West might be worth seeing , though no Raphael or Angelo had yet appeared there .
Bess Hill Indian Metamora Persian Rockies Rome St day kites