circumstances, she might have thought little of it. But after her talk
with Mrs. Tellingham about the mystery of the campus, she was troubled
to think that she was taking any part in the French teacher's private
affairs.

Helen was so filled with the excitement of the day, and of her long
talk with her twin brother, that she did not observe Ruth's distraught
manner.

"And we'll have such fun!" Ruth finally awoke to hear her chum declare
in a whisper. "Father's always promised to get a place in the woods,
and Snow Camp is a delightful spot."

"What are you talking about, Helen?" demanded Ruth, suddenly.

"I don't believe you've heard a thing I've been saying," cried her chum.

"I haven't heard everything," admitted Ruth. "But tell me now; I'll
listen."

"It's about the Christmas Holidays. You shall go with us. We're going
'way up in the woods--to a hunting camp that father has bought. We
were there for a week-end once when Mr. Parrish owned it. Snow Camp is
the most delightful place."

"I am sure you will have a fine time," Ruth said, generously.

"And so you will, too," declared Helen, "for you're going."

"My _dear_! I am going home to the Red Mill at Christmas."

"And we'll go home for Christmas, too; but there are three weeks'
holidays, and two of them we will spend at Snow Camp. Oh, yes we
will!" Helen cried. "I'd cry my eyes out if you didn't go, Ruth."

"But Uncle Jabez----"

"We'll just tease him until he lets you go. He'll not object much, I'm
sure. I should just cry my eyes out if you didn't go with us, Ruthie,"
she repeated.

The plan for the winter holidays sank into insignificance in Ruth's
mind, however, when they left the carriages and ran over to the West
Dormitory just as evening was falling. Mercy waved a white hand to
them from her window as they crossed the campus; but Ruth allowed Helen
to run ahead while she halted in the lower corridor and asked Miss
Scrimp if the French teacher was in her room.

"Oh, yes, Miss Ruthie," said the matron. "Miss Picolet is in. You can
knock."

As Ruth asked this question and received its answer she saw Mary Cox
come in alone at the hall door. The Fox had not spoken to Ruth since
the accident on the ice. Now she cast no pleasant glance in Ruth's
direction. Yet, seeing the younger girl approaching Miss Picolet's
door, Mary smiled one of her very queerest smiles, nodded her head with
secret satisfaction, and marched on upstairs to