out some insinerations likewise. Yeou jest open yer mouth about me
stealin' an' I'll put a flea in old man Cameron's ear. Ha! Ye know
what I mean. Better hev a care, Jabe Potter-- better hev a care!"

There was silence. Her uncle made no reply, and Ruth, fearing she
would be seen, and not wishing to be thought an eavesdropper (although
the conversation had so surprised and terrified her that she had not
thought what she did, before) the girl ran lightly up the hill,
leaving the two old men to their wrangle. When Uncle Jabez came in to
supper that evening his scowl was heavier than usual, if that were
possible, and he did not speak to either Ruth or Aunt Alvirah all the
evening.

CHAPTER XV

IN SCHOOL

Ruth thought it all over, and she came to this conclusion: Uncle Jabez
had given his permission-- albeit a grumpy one-- and she would begin
school on Monday. The black cloth dress that was so shabby and would
look so odd and proverty-stricken among the frocks of the other girls
(for she had watched them going to and from school, and already knew
some of them to speak to) would have to be worn, if possible, through
the term. Perhaps Uncle Jabez might notice how shabby she looked,
finally, and give her something more appropriate to wear. Especially
as it had been through him that her other frocks were lost.

But it was not an easy thing to face a whole schoolroom full of girls
and boys-- and most of them strangers to her-- looking so "dowdyish."
Ruth's love of pretty things was born in her. She had always taken