Barbara shook her head. “No,” she said, “I don’t think I meant to. I don’t know. But they were the best players, weren’t they, Ralph?”
“Certainly,” Ralph answered.
CHAPTER XV—RUTH IN DANGER
Hugh, looking much embarrassed, came up early next morning to see Ruth.
“I have an invitation to deliver to you, Ruth, but I am rather ashamed to do it, for I am afraid you will be angry. Mother told me to come over and ask Miss Stuart and yourself and the girls—except Barbara—to come out with us for the day on the yacht.”
“Why, Hugh Post!” cried Ruth. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s like this,” Hugh said, desperately; “mother told me to explain to you exactly how things stand, so you will not think her rude. You see, mother is visiting Mrs. Erwin, and of course Mrs. Erwin, Gladys, and her devoted Harry Townsend have to go along on the yacht with us. Well, Gladys told mother that neither she nor Mr. Townsend could go if Barbara went. Gladys would not tell mother why, and, as you told me to keep that scene in the conservatory a secret, I didn’t know what it was wisest for me to do.”
“Thank you,” Ruth answered; “but tell your mother that none of us can accept.”
“O Ruth!” exclaimed Hugh. “I am fearfully disappointed, and mother I know will be angry.”
“I am afraid I don’t care, Hugh,” was Ruth’s reply. “I don’t like your mother’s inviting any of us, if she had to leave Bab out.”