“I’ll be only too glad to go,” replied the other, without the least hesitation.
Ruth glanced up, disappointed at this suggestion, for it would probably mean that John Hadley would not see the meet. A large part of the fun in victory was, to her way of thinking, the satisfaction of having her success witnessed and applauded. She had always longed, too, to be admired by John Hadley. However, she remembered that she need not regret his absence too deeply, for Griffith would be there. And undoubtedly, the commendation of the latter meant more to her at present than anything else in the world.
At half-past two all of the girls except Doris and Alice, who had decided not to enter the meet, retired to their rooms to dress.
“Lily Andrews, you move about like an old woman,” teased Ethel. “And if you don’t get any more pep than that, you surely won’t win.”
“If you keep on crying, the lake will overflow the town,” put in Ruth.
Lily smiled through her tears. “I can’t help it, girls, I’m scared about Marj and Frieda!”
“Oh, I guess they’re all right,” said Ruth. “Try to brace up, Lil.”
By quarter of three the young people had all assembled on the porch, ready to get into the cars that stood waiting at the steps. They were gazing doubtfully at the sky, for the clouds which had been gathering for the last half hour now hung dark and threatening above them.
“I guess Bob was right,” remarked Jack. “We’re due for a down-pour!”
“Maybe it will pass over,” said Ruth, optimistically. She longed for her chance to prove herself the victor; now it seemed impossible that some unforseen circumstance like rain might spoil it all.