CHAPTER XVII
RUTH GOES TO NEW YORK
THE next morning when Will and I motored home we were alone. We approached the steeples of our town about noontime. I remember whistles were blowing and bells ringing as we passed through the Square. We saw Robert Jennings coming out of one of the University buildings on his way home from a late morning recitation. We slowed down beside him, and Will sang out to him to pile in behind; which he did, leaning forward and chatting volubly with Will and me for the next ten minutes about a new starter device for an automobile. When Will stopped in front of our walk, Robert hopped out of his back seat and opened the door for me.
It was when Will had motored out of hearing that Robert turned sharply to me and asked, "Did you leave her in Hilton?"
"No, Bob, Ruth isn't in Hilton. She's gone to New York," I told him gently.
"Whom is she staying with in New York? Your brother?" he asked.
"No, not Malcolm. No. But she's all right."
"What do you mean—'she's all right'?"
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