Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/23

Rh Queen Helen of Troy. She's been with The Fox."

Ruth and Heavy stared at Mercy in surprise; but Helen turned her head aside.

"That's the answer!" chuckled the shrewd little creature. "I saw them walk off together after supper. And The Fox has been trying to make trouble—same as usual."

"Mary Cox! Why, that's impossible," said Heavy, good-naturedly. "She wouldn't say anything to make Helen feel bad."

Mercy darted an accusing fore-finger at Helen, and still kept her eyes screwed up. "I dare you to tell! I dare you to tell!" she cried in a sing-song voice.

Helen had to laugh at last.

"Well, Mary Cox said you had decided to have none but Sweetbriars at the cottage on the beach, Heavy."

"Lot she knows about it," grunted the stout girl.

"Why, Heavy asked her to go; didn't she?" cried Ruth.

"Well, that was last Winter. I didn't press her," admitted the stout girl.

"But she's your roommate, like Belle and Lluella," said Ruth, in some heat. "Of course you've got to ask her."

"Don't you do it. She's a spoil-sport," de-