"Not enough to come clear out here—must be over a mile!—to see about it," was the rejoinder. "I usually mind my own business."
"So do we, you may be sure!" spoke up Helen, quick to take offence. "Come away, Ruth."
But the girl of the Red Mill was not at all satisfied. She said, frankly:
"I do wish that you would tell us why you are here? Surely, you won't remain all night in this lonely place? There is nobody else on the island, is there?"
"I should hope not!" exclaimed the girl. "Only you two busybodies."
"But, really, we came because we were interested in what went on here. It seems so strange for a girl, alone——"
"You've said that before," was the dry reply. "I am a girl alone. I am here on my own business. And that isn't yours."
"Oh!" ejaculated Helen, angrily.
"Well, if you don't like being spoken to plainly, you needn't stay," the strange girl flung at her.
"I see that very well," returned Helen, tossing her head. "Do come away, Ruth."