"I have; just about. You see Miss Burton's father and mother are dead, and she hasn't any near relations except a sister who lives way out in Seattle. So Mrs. Hamilton has invited her to be married at her house, and it's going to be a very private wedding."
Distinct disappointment was visible in the girlish faces as Ruth finished.
"But." she continued hurriedly, "there is to be a reception after the ceremony, and all of us girls are to be invited to help receive and the boys to usher."
"How perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Betty.
"I don't think so," mourned Dolly. "What shall we do with Ruth and
Miss Burton both gone?"
"Tell them the rest, Ruth," urged Arthur.
"The rest? Oh, yes. After the reception Uncle Jerry and his wife—doesn't that sound grand?—are going off somewhere for a week, and Mrs. Hamilton is going to take me to New York to meet them."
"And Mr. Hamilton and Mr. A. Hamilton are going, too," added Arthur with great satisfaction.
It was Ruth's turn to look surprised. "Why how perfectly grand!
You never said a word."
"Father just suggested it to-night and I thought I'd surprise you.
He's planning to have four days there before you sail."