rigmarole about fairies?"
questioned Annette. "I was glad when you spoke up and said that it was
not true. Of course we older girls knew she was making it up."

Suddenly Ruth became perfectly sure that Winifred had had nothing to do
with the discovery of the candy, and that Winifred had really believed
the fairies had brought it back, using her basket for the purpose.

"Winifred didn't make it up," declared Ruth. "It was exactly as she told
it. The fairies did take away the candy, and bring it back."

Annette stopped weaving the vines and flowers, and jumped up.

"Well, you are a very funny child. You tell us all that Winifred Merrill
made up a story, and now you tell me that it was true," she exclaimed
scornfully. "You need not give me your garland; I don't want it, or
anything to do with you," and before Ruth could say a word in reply
Annette had joined a group of the older girls, and was evidently telling
them her opinion of Ruth Pennell.

Ruth looked down through a blur of tears at the wreath she was making.
She could hardly see the flowers in her lap.

"I wish I had stayed at home. I hate grown-up girls," she thought
bitterly, wishing herself in her own garden with Hero and Cecilia for
playmates.

The sound of Betty's voice calling to her guests that luncheon was ready
made Ruth look up. She saw the other girls walking toward the shade of
the tall elms where Mrs. Hastings stood waiting for them. Winifred was
evidently in high favor; Annette walked on one side and Mary Pierce on
the other, each with an arm about the pleased but somewhat embarrassed
Winifred.

"Ruth! Ruthie Pennell! We are all waiting for you," called Betty, and
Ruth followed the others.

It was evident at once that none of the girls meant to sit beside Ruth
if it could be avoided. Annette had declared that she believed Ruth to
be a mischief-maker, and untruthful, and that it was the duty of the
older girls to "teach her a lesson."

"We must let the child realize that older girls don't approve of such
things," Annette had said, and the others agreed that the best way to
express their disapproval was to leave Ruth to herself as much as
possible.

Winifred was now more puzzled than ever.

When Annette had repeated Ruth's declaration that Winifred's story was
true, that fairies had returned the candy, she did not know what to
think.

"I'm sure Ruthie was only fooling," Winifred declared bravely. "I mean
when she said that I made up the