and then cut it out," suggested
Winnie. "I am sure Betty would like that better than a plain square
table."

"Of course she would," agreed Ruth. Neither of the little girls realized
how hard an undertaking it would be to carve a heart-shaped table top
from the square piece of mahogany.

Ruth was awake at an early hour the next morning. The April sun shone
warmly in through her open window; the robins, who had built a nest in
the hawthorn tree, sang jubilantly as if rejoicing that spring was
really at hand, and Ruth could hear her mother and Aunt Deborah moving
about in the lower rooms. It was just the day for a ride in the country.

Ruth was glad that Winifred had thought of so pleasant a plan as driving
a part of the way with Aunt Deborah. Both the little girls had taken it
for granted that their mothers would have no objection. Winifred was
used to driving the pony, and had often taken Ruth with her, but they
had never been farther than Fair Mount, a pleasant hill just outside the
town on the Schuylkill River, or along the quiet streets of the town;
but to-day Winifred had said that they would drive until Aunt Deborah
should tell them to turn toward home.

Farmer Withal usually arrived in the city at an early hour, delivered
his produce, then gave the big brown horse an hour or two rest, and was
ready to start on his return journey directly after dinner.

Aunt Deborah did not keep him waiting, and was at the gate with Mrs.
Pernell beside her when the round-faced smiling farmer in his long coat
of heavy blue drilling and his wide-rimmed hat came driving up.

"Where can Ruth be?" her mother said anxiously, as the farmer lifted
Aunt Deborah's trunk into the back of the wagon and stood waiting to
help her mount to the high seat.

At that moment the pony carriage drew up behind the wagon with Winnie
and Ruth smiling and waving their hands at Aunt Deborah.

"We are going a little way with you, Mistress Farleigh," called
Winifred.

"May I go, Mother?" Ruth added.

Aunt Deborah was evidently greatly pleased that the little girls had
wished to go a little way with her on her journey home, and Mrs. Pernell
smiled and nodded her consent, thinking that Ruth would be safely back
in an hour at the longest, and waving her good-byes as Farmer Withal
climbed to his seat and the brown horse trotted off, closely followed by
Fluff.

Down the street they went, turning now into the broader highway and at
last reaching the ri