"Why, Tom Craig!" cried Hester, in surprise; "you never saw that girl till to-day!"
"No, but I've seen you," he replied; "and I can tell you, Hester, I'm tired of these scraps you're always putting up! I believe we'll have better times with Ruth Rowland."
"Marjorie," Cousin Jack went on, "which girl do you choose?"
"I'd like them both," said Midget, who couldn't quite bring herself to denounce Hester entirely.
"But Hester won't have Ruth. You must choose one or the other."
"Then I choose Ruth, Cousin Jack. For Hester does make me a lot of trouble."
Midget sighed deeply, for, truly, Hester had caused strife in the club from its very beginning.
The two smaller boys voted decidedly for Ruth, and then Cousin Jack turned to Hester.
"You see," he said, but not unkindly, "the club has unanimously expressed its preference for Ruth. I don't see that you can do anything but take your hat and go home."
Hester looked at him in amazement.