"Of course not. He comes here often enough to speak for himself, I dare say," persisted the girl, in whose great dark eyes a sinister light was gleaming.
"Not often."
Judith Hart's eyes sparkled.
"Scarcely at all," continued Ruth, "since my father was hurt."
"Is it his keeping away or the watching that makes you look so white in the face?" said Judith, taking off her bonnet, and revealing a mass of rich hair, which she pushed back from her temples.
Ruth looked at the girl with a strangely bright, almost amused, expression.
"I think—I fear that my father will want me," was her sole reply.
"That's more than some other people do." This insolent retort almost broke from the girl's lips, but she checked it, only saying: "Here is your wine and the jelly."
"Mrs. Curtis is very kind. Wait a little, and I will cut her some flowers," answered Ruth.
Judith's great eyes flashed as she gave up the parcel.