Winifred.

"I wouldn't go if I were at home," declared Ruth, "but don't you tell
Gilbert that I said I wouldn't go. You tell him what I said first: 'that
I am glad I went, and I always shall be glad. And that perhaps some day
he will be glad too that I went to Southwark.'"

Winifred promised to deliver the message. She did not suppose it had any
special meaning, but she was sure it would puzzle Gilbert.

The next day was a busy one for Ruth. Farmer Withely promised to call
for her on Thursday afternoon, and wondered to himself why the little
girl was so eager to visit Barren Hill. Mrs. Pennell finished the white
linen dress, while Ruth helped Aunt Clara in the work of the house,
packed the small leathern trunk, which was to accompany her on her
journey, and last of all dressed Cecilia in her best, for she had
decided, at Aunt Clara's suggestion, that Cecilia needed a visit to the
country.

Mrs. Pennell could now walk a little, and not until Thursday morning did
Ruth have a single doubt in regard to going away from home. But as the
time of her departure drew near she kept close beside her mother, and
when Aunt Clara called that Farmer Withely was driving down the street
Ruth was suddenly quite sure that she could not go and leave her mother
behind.

"Oh, Mother! I don't wish to go," she exclaimed, her arms close about
her mother's neck.

Mrs. Pennell held her close, telling her of the beautiful time she would
have with Aunt Deborah. "And, who knows! You may see Lafayette himself,"
she added, knowing how great a hero the young Frenchman seemed to all
American children, as well as to their elders.

"I shall come home soon," Ruth answered earnestly, and then Aunt Clara
called that Farmer Withely was waiting, and with one more good-bye kiss
Ruth ran down the steps, and in a few moments was seated beside the
farmer, while the big horse trotted down the street.

Aunt Clara had put a box on the wagon seat beside Ruth. "Open it when
you are half-way to your journey's end," she had said smilingly, and
Farmer Withely had smiled also, and nodded approvingly, thinking to
himself that he had no better customers than the Pennell family, and
being quite sure of the appetizing contents of the box.

As they drove out of the town, past the stone house, and on to the river
road Ruth pointed out the field, where the May-pole was still standing,
and told the farmer all the May-day sports and songs.

"Perhaps you could remember so