Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/40

30 "In Lake Osago?"

"Yes, sir—and it was wet," Tom told him, grinning.

"I suppose she was trying to find that out," returned Dr. Davison. "Did you get anything else out of it, Ruthie Fielding?"

"A girl," replied Ruth, rather tartly.

"Oh-ho! Well, that was something," began the doctor, when Ruth stopped him with an abrupt question:

"Why do you say that they need me at home, sir?"

"Why—honey—they're always glad to have you there, I reckon," said the doctor, slowly, "Uncle Jabez and Aunt Alviry will both be glad to see you"

"There's trouble, sir; what is it?" asked Ruth, gravely, leaning out of the car so as to speak into his ear. "There is trouble; isn't there? What is it?"

"I don't know that I can exactly tell you, Ruthie," he replied, with gravity. "But it's there. You'll see it."

"Aunt Alviry"

"Is all right."

"Then it's Uncle Jabez?"

"Yes, my child. It is Uncle Jabez. What it is you will have to find out, I am afraid, for I have not been able to," said the doctor, in a whis-