At this criticism Ruth Fielding fled, taking the skirt and Jennie’s shirt-waist with her. But Aunt Kate was aroused now and the four women of the automobile party swiftly slipped into their negligees and appeared in the hall again, to meet Tom and Colonel Marchand who came from their room only partly dressed.
The critical Miss Timmins had darted downstairs, evidently in pursuit of her unfortunate niece. The guests crowded to the back window.
“Where did she go?” demanded Tom, who had heard some explanation of the early morning excitement. “Is she running away?”
“What a child!” gasped Aunt Kate.
“My waist!” moaned Jennie.
“Look at Ruth’s skirt!” exclaimed Helen.
“I do not care for the skirt,” the girl of the Red Mill declared. “It is Bella.”
“Her aunt will about give her those ‘nevergetovers’ she spoke of,” chuckled Tom.
“Ma foi! look you there,” exclaimed Colonel Marchand, pointing through the window that overlooked the rear premises of the hotel.
At top speed Miss Timmins was crossing the yard toward the big hay barn. Bella had taken refuge in that structure, and the housekeeper’s evident intention was to harry her out. The woman grasped a clothes-stick with which she proposed to castigate her niece.