Ruth did not say anything. Her face turned white. Cassandra glanced at her, uttered a quick sigh, and resumed:
"Whether you like it or not, I am glad you are out of the whole thing. I should hate you to get into trouble. You are so clever, and so different from the others, that you are certain to succeed. And now let us hurry home. I must tell you all about our scheme. You must come to me every day; Miss Renshaw will be with us each evening from six to seven. Oh! you don't know how happy you are making me."
Ruth smiled and tried to look cheerful.
Mrs. Weldon came out to meet the two girls as they entered the pretty little cottage. Her face was smiling.
"Ah, Cassandra!" she said, "now you will be happy."
"Yes; Ruth has accepted our offer."
"Indeed I have, Mrs. Weldon," said Ruth; "and I scarcely know how to thank you."
"Come in, dear, and have some dinner.—Cassandra, I have just heard from Miss Renshaw, and she is coming this afternoon.—You can either stay, Ruth, when dinner is over, or come back again."
"I will come back," said Ruth. "Granny is not very well, and I ought not to have left her, even to have dinner here; but I couldn't help myself."
Cassandra brought her friend into the house. They had a pleasant meal together, and Ruth tried to forget that she had absolutely quarrelled with Kathleen, and that Kathleen's heart was half-broken on her account.