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Suddenly a young man put his head in at the kitchen door, grinned, and said: "They're a-comin', Miss Ruthie. I see 'em up the road." Ruth jumped up at once and ran for her coat and hat. "There, child!" cried Aunt Alvirah, "ye haven't eaten enough breakfast to keep a fly alive. Lucky I've got a good basket of lunch put up for ye. It'll be a long journey by train, boat, and stage coach.
"I got a glimpse of a man dodging out of the way just as that pile of logs started. I saw the flash of the sun on his ax," and the director was very much in earnest. It was Jennie who put into words the thought that had come both to Ruth and Helen as well: "Where is that awful Dakota Joe? He was here last night. He has tried to harm our Ruthie before. I do believe he did it!"
"Why, I never knew you to be hard on Tommy-boy before!" pouted Tom's sister. "Perhaps I never had occasion to be hard on him before," Ruth answered. "He is only one of many. Especially many of those who were over there in France. They seem to be so unsettled and and so careless for the future." "Regular female Simon Legree, you are, Ruthie Fielding."
"Then you don't think it is any stretch of fancy to have so clear an idea as I have of Milham Grange? On the left hand of the road, is it, Ruth?" "Yes, sir, just over the bridge, and up the hill where the elm-trees meet overhead and make a green shade; and then comes the dear old Grange, that I shall never see again." "Never! Nonsense, Ruthie; it is only six miles off; you may see it any day.
"Or the worst of it," Marion said, still laughing. "You are bent on doing that, I think, Ruthie." By a violent effort and rare good sense Ruth controlled herself sufficiently to laugh, and the embarrassment vanished. There were splendid points about this girl's character, not the least among them being the ability to laugh at a joke that had been turned toward herself.
They went out through the kitchen, to get Dotty's red and white picnic basket; but they crept like a pair of thieves, lest Ruthie, who was mixing waffles, should hear them, and take notice of Dotty's bare ankles. Once out of the village, it did not take long for Miss Dimple to slip off her boots and tuck them in her pocket.
"And the Sweetbriars will be on hand to preserve order," laughed her chum. "Thanks to you, Ruthie. Why oh! see Tom!" She jumped up, dropping a lapful of pods, and pointed up the Cheslow road, which here branched from the river road almost opposite the Red Mill. "What is the matter?" demanded Ruth, also scrambling to her feet. A big touring car was approaching at top speed.
Ruthie, you have the temper of an angel not to fly out at me for bringing in Saratoga every few minutes. It isn't with 'malice aforethought, I assure you. I forget your projected scheme whenever I speak of it; but you must allow me to be astonished over Flossy's refusal to go with you.
I have been out once behind Dr. Davison's red and white mare, to see Aunt Alviry. We just gabbled about you all the time. Your pullets are laying. Tell Helen 'Hullo! for me. I expect to see you soon, though that is, if arrangements can be made to billet me with somebody who doesn't mind having a Goody Two-Sticks around. "Now, good-bye, Ruthie, "From your fidgetty friend, "MERCY CURTIS."
Ruthie asked if there was anything said about his wife! Susy, who had read considerable poetry was sure she had heard something of a woman up there, named "Cynthia;" but she supposed it was all "moonshine," or "made up," as she expressed it. She said she meant to ask her aunt Madge to write a fairy story about it.
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