The air was cool beneath the trees, and Rand raised his forehead to the blowing wind.

The narrow pathway turned, and he came upon Deb and Miranda seated upon the bare, red earth and playing with flower dolls.
Deb had before her a parade of morning-glories, purple and white, pink and blue, while Miranda sat in a ring of marigolds and red columbines.
Each was slowly swaying to and fro, murmuring to herself, and manipulating with small, darting fingers her rainbow throng of ladies.
Rand, unseen, watched the manoeuvres for a while, then coughed to let them know he was there, and presently sat down upon a root of cedar, and gave Deb his opinion of the flower people.

Children and he were always at their ease together.
"Hollyhocks make the finest ladies," he announced gravely.

"Little Miss Randolph puts snapdragon caps upon them and gives them scarfs of ribbon grass." "Hollyhocks are not in bloom," said Deb.

"I use snapdragon for caps, too .-- Now she has on a red and gold cap.