From the top of a low foothill he watched the sun rise; and then no longer wondered why his father waxed eloquent over the beauty and location and luxuriance of this grassy valley.

But it was large enough to make rich a good many ranchers.

Jean tried to restrain any curiosity as to his father's dealings in Grass Valley until the situation had been made clear.
Moreover, Jean wanted to love this wonderful country.

He wanted to be free to ride and hunt and roam to his heart's content; and therefore he dreaded hearing his father's claims.

But Jean threw off forebodings.
Nothing ever turned out so badly as it presaged.