Mr. Trulock wrote the address, which Ruth had to spell for him, and then he said,—
"Now we will have tea."
"Won't you let me get it ready, while you sit quiet and rest? And may I wash the dinner things?"
Ralph had no objection, for it must be confessed that these constant washings and arrangings were a great burden to him. It was very pleasant to sit there and watch the neat-handed little maid as she polished and rubbed, and set everything straight and tidy.
"Now I will call Ollie, for if we don't mind, we shall be late for evening church," said Ruth. She ran to the door, and came back looking a little alarmed.
"Oh, Mr. Trulock, Ollie is not there. Nor is he anywhere inside the wall, for I looked well all about."
Ralph came to the door, looked out, meditated, and men remarked,—
"Don't be frightened, Ruth; I suspect I know where he is. I ought to have remembered she was sure to pounce upon him."
He walked off, with anxious Ruth beside him, and knocked at Mrs. Short's door. On the steps lay a broken daisy chain.