"I am Ruth Fielding, from Darrowtown," she said, in a voice that she controlled well. "I have come to—to live with you, Uncle Jabez."
"Where was you last night?" demanded the miller, without so much as returning her greeting. "Was you with them Camerons?"
"I stayed all night with the station master," she said, in explanation.
"What time did you get to the station?"
Ruth told him. Never once did his voice change or his grim look relax.
"I mistook the time of the train," he said, without expressing any sorrow.
"I—I hope you will be glad to have me come," the said. "Miss True—"
"You mean that old maid that wrote to me?" he asked, harshly.
"Miss True Pettis. She said she thought you would like to have me here as we were so near related."
"Not so near related as some," was all he said in reply to this. After a moment, he added: "You can go along to the house yonder. Aunt Alviry will show you what to do."