“Would her guardian agree?” asked Ruth.
“Nothing easier. She told me he wouldn’t care if she joined that party that’s going to start for the south pole this season. He’s afraid of girls. He’s an old bachelor—and a misogynist.”
“Goodness!” murmured Helen. “There should be something done about letting such savage animals be at large.”
“It’s no fun for poor little Trix,” said Jennie.
“She shall be asked,” Ruth declared. “And Sally Blanchard.”
“Oh, yes!” cried Helen. “She owns a horse, and has been riding three times a week all this spring. Her father believes that horseback riding keeps the doctor away.”
“Improvement on ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’” quoted Ruth.
“How about eating an onion a day?” put in Jennie. “That will keep everybody away!”
“Oh, Jennie, we’re not getting anywhere!” declared Helen Cameron. “Are you going to invite a bunch of girls, Ruth, to go West with us?”
This is how the idea germinated and took root. Ruth and Helen had talked over the possibility of making the trip into the Hualapai Range for more than a fortnight; but nothing had as yet been planned in detail.