"And this is my particular friend, Helen Cameron," Ruth said, "who is to be fully trusted, too."
"I suppose so," said the girl. "My name is Betty. I'm Margy's younger sister. Poor Margy. She never was very strong. I mean that she was always giving in to other people—was easily confused.
"She's bright enough, you know," pursued the other girl, warmly; "but she is nervous and easily put out. What those girls did to her last year at this college was a shame!"
Another hail from behind the hill warned Ruth that she must attend Miss Mallory's command or there would be trouble.
"We cannot wait to hear it all, Miss—Betty, did you say your name was? Where are you staying?"
"I have been working in Greenburg all winter. We're poor girls and have no parents. Margy is with me now," said the girl. "And I want that vase. I want it for Margy. She will never be satisfied until she can give it back to the dean of the college herself and explain how she came to hide it, and then forgot where she hid the vase."
"Tell me where to find you in Greenburg," said Ruth, hastily. "No! I'll not let you have the vase now. I will not show it to anybody else, however, and we'll come over to town this evening and bring it with us, and talk with Maggie."
"Oh, Miss Fielding——"
"That must satisfy you," said Ruth, firmly; and Betty Rolff had to be satisfied with this promise. She told the chums where she and Margaret were staying and then Ruth and Helen ran back to their friends, Ruth concealing the hastily wiped silver vase under the loose front of her blouse.
"Goodness!" she said to Helen, "I hope nobody will see it. Do I bulge much?"