“It’s very kind of you to give the boys that invitation,” said Mr. Masterson. “I’m afraid it’s too long a trip for them.”
“Oh, nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Hayward. “They can go by boat all the way. It’s a fine trip.”
“I’m sure you would enjoy it,” said Ruth, smiling at Fenn.
“Then we’ll go!” exclaimed Stumpy, with more energy than the occasion seemed to call for.
“I wish you would,” added Mr. Hayward, and then he and Mr. Masterson began a discussion of business matters.
A little later that evening Fenn, going in the parlor for a book, saw Ruth sitting there in the darkness.
“What’s the matter?” he asked with ready sympathy. “Are you ill? Shall I call my mother?”
“No—no, I’m all right—I’ll be all right in a little while. Please don’t call any one,” and the girl seemed much alarmed. “I—I was just thinking of—”
“Is there anything worrying you?” asked Fenn boldly, as the memory of what she had said in her delirium came back to him. “Can I do anything to help you? Is it about a cave?”
“Hush!” exclaimed Ruth, in such tones that Fenn was startled. “Don’t speak of that. Oh, I don’t know why I mentioned it. I was not myself! Forget it, please. It might cause a dreadful—Oh, I can’t talk about it!”