“Yes, but of course he didn’t know that anything of yours was in it.”
“Then please don’t tell him. He might think I ought to tell grandmother about it—he’s so peculiar. And I will tell her, if worse comes to worst, and I can’t get it back. But, oh, Tom! do you suppose it could be on the island?” and she looked eagerly at him.
“If it’s there I’ll find it!” declared the tall pitcher, perhaps with more zeal than discretion.
“And don’t you tell a soul!”
“I won’t,” he promised.
“Could you take me with you, Tom? I’d like to help you hunt for it.”
“Of course,” he said, promptly. “The weather is getting fine now. We’ll row over to the island some day, and make a search. But that pin isn’t going to be easy to find.”
“No, I realize that, Tom. But it will make me feel better to help look for it. Oh, how careless of that jeweler to leave his things in the boat!”
“It was, in a way, but he could not tell he was going to be summoned away, nor that the flood would come. I feel sorry for him.”
“So do I, but—I want my brooch back,” and Ruth smiled at Tom. “Now don’t say anything, and don’t notice my new pin—at least in front of Phil,” she stipulated. “If I can get the old one back, then it will be time enough to tell him. Oh, here he comes now, with Madge. Yes, I think the dance will be perfectly fine!” exclaimed Ruth, in loud tones, to change the conversation for the benefit of her brother and Madge. Tom took his cue instantly, and the four were soon engaged in a lively conversation, Ruth, meanwhile, telegraphing signals to Tom with her eyes, while she arranged a bit of her lace collar over the new pin, so that her brother would not notice it.