when the boys had gone.

"I don't know," said Ruth slowly. "We might be glad to have them
help us get the pine-needles."

"I believe you are too soft-hearted, Ruth Fielding," declared Belle
Tingley.

"It's because she likes Tom so well," said Lluella, slily.

"Well, Tom never did so mean a thing before yesterday," said Tom's
sister, sharply.

"Boys are all alike when they get together," said Heavy. "It spoils
'em awfully to flock in crowds."

"What does it do to girls?" demanded Ruth, smiling.

"Gives them pluck," declared Madge Steele. "We've got to keep the
boys down--that's the only way to manage them."

"My, my!" chuckled Jennie Stone, the stout girl. "Madge is going to
be a regular suffragette; isn't she?"

"Well, I guess girls can flock by themselves and have just as good
times without their brothers, as with them."

But Ruth and Helen looked more than doubtful at this point. They
knew that Tom Cameron, at least, had been a loyal friend and mate on
many a day of pleasure. They couldn't bear to hear him abused.