"Of course," added Bert with an extremely virtuous air, "if we had guessed that this was the famous club we should have put our fingers in our ears and have run away."
"You sinner," said Betty, who couldn't help laughing, "you know you have tried ever since we have had the club to make me tell you about it."
"I propose," said Miss Burton, "that we put the boys on their honor not to tell what they have seen and heard."
"Second the motion," said Charlotte with great promptness. "We have them there, for boys never tell when they're on honor."
"Good for you, Charlotte," said Frank gratefully. "We'll promise, won't we, Bert?"
"Of course," agreed Bert. "And, girls," he continued, "we've got some potatoes roasting in the ashes near here that'll be just the thing to brace you up for the walk home. Come along and help us eat 'em."
"I should say we would," accepted Charlotte. "Did you ever know us to refuse anything to eat?"
The little feast and the walk home became the jolliest things possible. Tired as she was, no one was merrier than Ruth. for in her inmost heart she was sure that she should find news of her father waiting for her.