"The young lady made an affidavit stating that she was the perpetrator of the joke and published the affidavit in The Eagle."
"Who was the young lady?"
"Let's see. I don't recall her name just now. She works in the Wilford Springs Central State Bank."
"It surely wasn't Miss Babcock?"
"Yes, that's the girl—Ruth Babcock."
Harold felt a dizzy sensation. Could it be possible that Ruth had been the one who had subjected the Klan to all this criticism. He couldn't believe it.
"There must be some mistake," Harold ventured.
"No, there's no mistake. It has made Springer the laughing stock of the town."
"What do—the—the Klansmen think of Ruth, I mean Miss Babcock?"
In this last question Harold revealed anxiety, and the minister's quick perception told him that there was an interest, other than his interest in the Klan, back of the question.