Miss Stuart announcing that tea was waiting on the balcony, the little party adjourned to the veranda and stood talking and admiring the view. It was a wonderful, clear October day, radiant with warm sunshine.
Mr. Winthrop Latham stood near Miss Stuart, assisting her to serve the tea. The young people were talking in a group near them.
“I say, Ruth!” exclaimed Dorothy Morton. “Forgive my calling you Ruth so early in our acquaintance, but if I call you Miss Stuart, your aunt may think I am speaking to her. Do please tell us about the mysterious little Indian girl, who is your protégée. Where did you find her?”
Reginald Latham, who was near Barbara, broke into the conversation.
“Tell Miss Stuart about our fall sports, Dorothy!” he urged.
“Tell me of them afterwards,” said Dorothy. “I must hear about this Indian child first.”
“Well, the story of our little Indian girl is a long and rather odd one,” Ruth asserted. “As she is really Mollie’s discovery, not mine, Mollie must tell you about her.”
Mollie was embarrassed at suddenly finding herself the center of so many eyes.
Mr. Winthrop Latham had turned around, and was also watching her. He had caught Ruth’s last speech.
“Why,” confessed Mollie, “the story of our little Indian girl is simple enough, but it is very strange.”