“But you won’t find it in another Harpoon,” laughed the director, recovering possession of the newspaper. “It’s only a joke. But I positively had to give you ladies a real shock or we’d never have got this scene right.”
“Well, of all the impudence!” began Mrs. Painter.
However, she joined in the laughter a minute later. At best, the women had won from Mr. Hammond enough money to pay for the painting of their church edifice, and they were willing to sacrifice their dignity for that.
CHAPTER XIX
COUNTERCLAIMS
“I declare, Ruth! that was a ridiculous thing to do,” exclaimed Helen, when they were on their way back to the Point. “But it certainly brought the sewing circle women all up standing.”
“I’ve been wondering all day what Ruth was up to,” said Tom, who was steering the big car. “I was in on it without understanding her game.”
“Well, it was just what the directer needed,” chuckled Jennie. “Oh, it takes our Ruth to do things.”