No answer.
"She's fainted!" ejaculated Ethel. "She's been walking in the sun and exposed to great heat. It's heat exhaustion. See, her face is pale and she isn't entirely unconscious as in a sunstroke. First we must loosen her clothing and let her lie down quietly. I wonder if there is any water about."
"Yes," said Patty, "we passed a watering trough on the road."
While Ethel unbuttoned the girl's waist, Patty ran for water.
"It's lucky I have my drinking cup with me," she called. "I have a long head. I never take a walk without it."
Ethel made no reply. She unhooked the girl's corset. Then when Patty returned, together they lifted her to a shady place. Ethel's face was pale.
"What is the matter?" asked Patty. "You look as though you had seen a ghost."
Ethel pointed to a chain on Mattie's neck. It was a small silver chain, and suspended from it were two diamond rings. One was the small cluster lost by Ethel, while the other was a solitaire. Patty gasped and caught Ethel by the arm.
"That's your ring."
Ethel nodded.