Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/175

Rh Ruth and Helen and I who knew anything about it. And we only suspected. You see, we found the newspaper article which told about that bully ranch, and the fun that girl had"

"Jane Ann didn't think 'twas nice enough for her," grunted the ranchman. "She wanted high-heeled slippers—and shift—shift-on hats—and a pianner! Common things warn't good enough for Jane Ann."

Ruth laughed, for she wasn't at all afraid of the big Westerner. "If chiffon hats and French heeled slippers would have kept Nita—I mean, Jane Ann—at home, wouldn't it have been cheaper for you to have bought 'em?" she asked.

"It shore would! " declared the cattleman, emphatically. "But when the little girl threatened to run away I didn't think she meant it."

Meanwhile Miss Kate had asked Tom to take the big man up stairs where he could remove the marks of travel. In half an hour he was at the table putting away a breakfast that made even Mammy Laura open her eyes in wonder.

"I'm a heavy feeder, Miss," he said apologetically, to Ruth. "Since I been East I often have taken my breakfast in two restaurants, them air waiters stare so. I git it in relays, as ye might say. Them restaurant people ain't used to seeing a man eat. And great cats! how they do charge for vittles!"