CHAPTER XXIV.

SWORD THRUSTS.

By the next morning it became clear to our girls that a change of programme was a necessity.  Ruth had by no means recovered from her shock and the sleepless night that followed, and some of the comforts of invalidism must be found for her.  At the same time she utterly repudiated the idea of Saratoga, which was now urged upon her; it had lost its charms; neither would she go home.

“I have decided to stay until the very last meeting,” she said, with quiet determination.

Flossy laughed softly; she knew what charms Chautauqua had taken on, but the others supposed it to be a whim, resulting from the ridicule she had suffered because of the Saratoga scheme.

After many plans were discussed it was finally decided that Flossy and Ruth should seek quarters at the hotel in Mayville, Ruth coming over to the meetings only when her strength and her fancy dictated, and having some of the luxuries of home about her.  It seemed to fall naturally to Flossy’s lot to accompany her; indeed, a barrier was in the way of either of the others being chosen.  The hotel arrangement, when one took into consideration the numerous boat-rides to and from the ground, was by no means an economical proceeding, and as Flossy and Ruth were the only ones who were entirely indifferent to the demands of their purses, it must of necessity be them.

Neither of them was disposed to demur; there had never been much congeniality between these two, but they had been friendly, and now there was a subtle bond of sympathy which made them long to be together.  So, during the next morning hours, those two were engaged in packing their effects and preparing for a flitting to the Mayville House.  Meantime Marion and Eurie, having stood around and looked on until they were tired, departed in search of something to interest them.

“It is too early for meeting,” Marion said.  “There is nothing of interest until 11 o’clock.  I’m sorry we missed Mrs. Clark.  I like to look at her and listen to her; she is just bubbling over with enthusiasm.  One can see that she thinks she means it.  If I were a Sunday-school teacher I should be glad I was here, to hear her.  I think it has been about the most helpful thing I have heard thus far; helpful to those who indulge in that sort of work, I mean.”

“I wonder what those normal classes are like?” Eurie said, studying her programme.  “We haven’t been to one of those, have we?  What do you suppose they do?”

Marion shrugged her shoulders.