Ruth came a step nearer.
"How many? I can't quite hear you."
"I am sorry," said Ruth then, "but I can't tell you."
Miss Mackenzie, without any show of emotion, immediately entered Ruth's answer in a little book which she held in her hand.
"Oh, don't, Miss Mackenzie! Don't be harsh," gasped little Mrs. Naylor.
Miss Mackenzie, as though she had not heard the voice of her sister governor, proceeded:
"What is the name of the founder of the society?"
"I am not prepared to say," replied Ruth.
Again this answer was recorded.
"Can you give me an exact account of the rules of the society, its motives, its bearing generally?"