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 Crosswicks Creek." And Ruth's eyes flashed as she gave this full expression to her feelings.

"Ruth dear, I am astonished at thy words."

"So am I. Bother these words; they are none of them strong enough, and I dread to shock thee with some of the words of the world's people. Just for half a day how I would like to be a man and swing my arms right and left among some of the gatherings about the old oak in the meeting-house yard. I never heard a syllable, but it always seems to me, judging from appearances, that every group is gossiping about Ruth and John—John and Ruth."

Her mother could not repress a smile, although she tried to look serious. A good deal of her old self was welling up to the surface, but she said, "Has it never occurred to thee, Ruth, that thee might be giving more thought to thyself than others do concerning thee? Are we not too apt to hold ourselves at more than our real value? I think I have seen the world enough to say it is a common failing."

"True, mother; but there's a difference—"