e now carried each to her
own home, so Winifred and Ruth were set down at the Merrills' door.

"We have had a beautiful time, Betty. We shall always remember _your_
birthday," declared Ruth, and Winnie repeated the words.

Betty smiled and waved her hand; she realized that her two little
friends were thanking her for more than their happy May-day.

Hero welcomed Ruth home, and seemed to be trying to tell her something.
He ran around her, barking and whining.

"What is it, Hero? What is the matter? Where is my mother?" she asked,
as she pushed open the door of the sitting-room and found it vacant.

"Mother!" she called, running into the dining-room, and then heard her
mother's voice calling from the kitchen:

"Come out here, Ruthie!"

Ruth stopped in the doorway with an exclamation of surprise.

"Oh, Mother! What is it?" she asked, for Mrs. Pennell was sitting in a
low chair near the window, with one foot resting on a stool.

"I have sprained my ankle, Ruthie. I slipped coming in from the porch
about an hour ago, and could just manage to crawl to this chair,"
replied Mrs. Pennell; "and now you will have to be 'mother' for a time.
Tie my apron over your dress, and start up the fire, and fill the big
kettle with water."

Ruth obeyed quickly, and in a few moments had carried out her mother's
directions, bringing a small wooden tub in which to turn the water when
it should be heated. She could think of nothing but that her mother must
be in pain, as she drew off Mrs. Pennell's slipper and stocking, filled
the tub, and now gently bathed the swollen ankle.

"Remember, Ruthie, dear, when any one has the ill-fortune to sprain
wrist or ankle, that hot water is the best aid," Mrs. Pennell said, as
she directed the way in which Ruth should bandage the ankle.

"I am afraid I am going to make a good deal of work for my little girl.
We must try and send for your Aunt Clara to come as soon as possible,"
she added.

But Ruth did not mind the work; as she went from pantry to fireplace,
preparing toast and a dish of hot gruel for her mother her thoughts flew
away to Aunt Deborah at Barren Hill, to the lustre cup out of which
Lafayette had drunk, and she realized that she could not go away from
home now that her mother was lame.

After supper the ankle was bathed again, and now Mrs. Pennell thought it
best that Ruth should run in and tell Mrs. Merrill of the accident, and
ask her assistance. For she found herself unable to