“Polly mentioned it, and I said that I hoped we would all be with you to help celebrate. When is it?”
“Not for three weeks yet, Dodo. And I expect to be at Uncle’s, then. They’ll give me a party, I suppose,” said Ruth.
“Well, that’s too bad—that we won’t be together—as I have a little gift for you and I hope you’ll like it.”
“Oh, Dodo! How nice of you. I really did not look for anything from anyone, you know,” cried Ruth, delightedly.
“Maybe not, dearie; and this isn’t much—not what you deserve, but it is a little remembrance, as you will find when you get it. I’m not going to give it to you until the day arrives, but when you open it you’ll understand everything that I can’t explain to you, now,” explained Dodo.
“Whatever it is, little or big, I will like it, Do, as coming from your generous heart. Even a flower from my friends is more than a jewel from someone who doesn’t mean it,” said Ruth.
“I know that, Ruth, and that’s why I want to give you something you’ll like. You are true blue, and you deserve all the joy one can give you.”
“It’s awfully good of you, Dodo, to say that,” smiled Ruth, although tears of pleasure welled up in her eyes.
The other girls had overheard the conversation and now they chimed in. “Dodo’s right, Ruth. You’re just fine!”
Later in the afternoon, Jimmy stopped his car at a tiny farmhouse with the spoken intention of getting a drink of water. But his subtle reason was to get Angela out of the front seat and Ruth in it. “Who wants a drink?” called he, as he jumped out and started for the cottage.