Harrod was sitting directly behind the two strangers, in a seat with Carrie Poole.
Oh, I say, Ruth! Pearl said, is it a fact that Rosa Wildwood is coming down to the Cove next week?
Ruth turned to answer. As she did so the girl in the seat with the Gypsy sprang to her feet, her face transfigured with amazement, or alarm Ruth did not know which. The woman grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her back into the seat, saying something of a threatening nature to her companion.
In her excitement the woman knocked the cup of water from Ruths hand. She turned to apologize, and Ruth, looking over her head, saw the dark-skinned girl sitting back in her corner quite colorless and broken. The Corner House girl was sure, too, that the strange girls lips formed the name Rosa Wildwood but she made no sound.
It is all right, Ruth assured the Gypsy woman. No harm done.
I am the ver awkward one eh? repeated the woman, with a hard smile.
It does not matter, said Ruth. I can get another cup of water.
She returned to do so. All the while she was wondering what the incident meant. It was not merely a chance happening, she was sure. Something about the name of her schoolmate, Rosa Wildwood, had frightened the beautiful girl who was evidently in the Gypsy womans care.
Ruth grew quite excited as she drew another cup of water, and she swiftly planned to discover the mystery, as she started up the aisle of the coach a second time.
CHAPTER VII SOMETHING AHEAD
You asked about Rosa, Pearl? said Ruth, speaking loudly enough, she was sure, for the girl in front to hear.
Oh, hello! dont spill that water again, Ruthie, laughed Pearl. Yes. I asked if she were coming down to the Cove!
Yes. Rosa Wildwood expects to come next week. I am going to find her a boarding place.
Ruth spoke very distinctly, and she kept her eyes fastened upon the back of the strange girls head. But the latter gave no sign of having heard at least, she appeared not to be interested in the name which had before so startled her.
I dont see how the poor girl can afford it, Carrie Poole said, not unkindly. They say she and her father are very poor.
Mr. Bob Wildwood works regularly. He doesnt drink any more, Ruth explained, intentionally speaking so that those in the forward seat could hear if they wished to listen.
Rosa is an awfully sweet girl, said Carrie.
I love that little Southern drawl of hers! cried Pearl. She says Ah reckon so in just the cunningest way!
She is very frail, Ruth continued, clearly. I was afraid she would break down before the school term closed. Now it has been arranged for her to stay at Pleasant Cove until she gains strength. Dr. Forsythe says it will do her a world of good.
Well give her a good time, all right, declared Pearl. Wish we could have her with us
Not at the bungalow, said Ruth. Nor at the hotel. We want a quiet place for her. I shall find it.
Not a sign did the girl in front give that she heard any of this conversation. Yet Ruth believed there was a curious intentness in her manner she held her head very still as though she were secretly listening, while apparently giving all her attention to what the train passed.
What does your uncle call his bungalow where we shall stop? asked Ruth of Pearl.
Why, the Spoondrift dont you remember? Its at this end of the cove, near the river, and we have bathing rights on the shore. Its a fine place. Youll love it, Ruth Kenway.
I expect to, said Ruth, seriously. And you were very kind to ask me to stay two whole weeks with you, and Ruth passed on.
She had intentionally said enough so that, if the strange girl were listening, she would learn just where Ruth could be found at Pleasant Cove.
For the Corner House girl felt that the dark beauty with the Gypsy woman held some keen interest in Rosa Wildwood. Of course right at the start the story of Rosas lost sister, June, had come into Ruths mind.
Yet, as the Corner House girl looked at the stranger, she could not say truthfully that it was Rosa of whom this girl reminded her. Ruth conjured before her minds eye the fair, delicate beauty of Bob Wildwoods daughter; the two girls possessed no feature in common and in complexion they were, of course, diametrically opposed.
This girl was dark enough and savage enough looking to be a Gypsy.
Ruth scouted the idea that she might be Juniper Wildwood, who had run away with a traveling medicine man and his wife.
Nevertheless, Ruth believed that the strange girl must know something about the lost June Wildwood. She had been startled when Rosas name was mentioned. The Corner House girl was deeply interested in the affair; but at present she did not want to take anybody into her confidence about it not even Agnes.
The girls did not remain quietly in their seats, by any manner of means. First there was a crowd blocking the aisle in one part of the car, then in another. Agnes was in and out of her seat half a dozen times between stations. The heat and dust was ignored as the girls shouted pleasantries back and forth; the air was vibrant with laughter.