“I understand that Ruth Kenway is up to one of her usual blessed tricks,” rejoined the doctor over the wire. “I will be right over.”
Neale drove Luke and the little folks home, while Ruth and Agnes remained with the frightened Mrs. Pendleton until Dr. Forsyth arrived and had made his examination. He soon had Mr. Pendleton much more comfortable both in mind and body.
“Nothing broken,” the physician said comfortingly. “Your back is strained and you’ve got to lie quiet. But we’ll have you up in a couple of weeks, Mr. Pendleton.”
He could see, as well as the girls, that the little family were in straitened circumstances. He gave Mrs. Pendleton a warm handclasp as he left and said:
“I will come in once in a while to see how he does. But do not let my coming worry you, Mrs. Pendleton. I understand your circumstances, and you tell your husband that he can be of easy mind. If there should be anything due for my services, its payment has already been arranged for.”
“Those blessed Kenway girls!” exclaimed Mrs. Pendleton. “I don’t know how I can ever thank them.”
CHAPTER IV—WAS IT FOOLISH?
Ruth, and her three sisters as well, loved to play “Lady Bountiful.” Having been placed for a time in close financial straits themselves, the older girls at least well understood the plight of those unfortunate people whom they met who were short of funds.
The condition of the Pendletons’ exchequer was a source of worry to Ruth especially. She had ways of helping the children and Mrs. Pendleton which were not too obvious; but how to aid the man of the family when he could once more get about was a question not so easily answered.
She saw Mr. Howbridge one day in his office and put the matter up to her guardian with her usual practical sense.