"I will walk with you a little way," she said; "I have something I want
to say."
"One moment first," said Cassandra. "Have you seen Ruth Craven
anywhere?"
"Oh yes; Ruth has left the school. Didn't you see her go? There she is,
crossing the field. I suppose she is in a hurry to get home."
"Thank you," said Cassandra.
She caught up her books and started running in the direction of Ruth
Craven.
"How tiresome of her to have gone so fast!" she said to herself?
Presently she shouted Ruth's name, and Ruth was obliged to stop.
"Why, Ruth," said Cassandra, "what is the matter with you? You
generally wait to talk to me after school is over. Why are you in such a
hurry?"
"I am not," said Ruth, who was not going to get out of her difficulty by
telling an untruth.
"Well, if you are not in a hurry, why are you running across this field
at the rate of a hunt? It looks as if you were--" Cassandra paused, and
the color came into her cheeks--"as if you were running away from me."
Ruth was silent. Cassandra came close to her and looked into her face.
"What is the matter, Ruth?" she repeated.
"I have promised granny that I would help her with some darning this
afternoon."
"Your granny must do without you, for you have got to come back with
me."
"Oh, indeed, I can't!"
"But you must, my little girl. I have got the most heavenly plan to
suggest to you."
Cassandra laid her hand on Ruth's shoulder.
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