. "If Tom Jonah had
actually been put into that awful gas chamber they tell about--"

"They don't do such things until it is positive that nobody will claim
the dog--unless he really is afflicted with rabies," Ruth said. "I'm
surprised at Aunt Sarah."

"You needn't be, young lady," said Miss Maltby. "You needn't be
surprised at anything I may do. I have long known that I belonged to a
family of crazy people, and now I guess I've proved myself as crazy as
any of you."

However, they could laugh at it after a while. And they did not begrudge
any trouble to save poor old Tom Jonah from inconvenience. While the
children were away at school thereafter they were careful to put the
old dog on a long leash in a shady corner of the yard.

After all, Tom Jonah had been a vagabond for a good part of his life,
and old as he was sometimes the spirit of what Agnes called "the
wanderlust" (she was just beginning German) came over him and he would
go away to visit friends for two or three days at a time.

"He'll go visiting no more at present," Ruth said with decision.

However, other plans for visiting progressed. Aunt Sarah and Mrs.
MacCall proceeded to carry out their conspiracy. The suggestion was made
at just the right time, and in the right way, for Cecile and Luke to be
invited to the old Corner House for a week-end party, and the party
itself was planned.

So it came to pass that Cecile Shepard wrote her brother Luke that very
next week:

"I suppose, Luke dear, you have received your invitation to Ruth's
party. Of course, dear boy, we must both go. I would not
disappoint or offend her for the world--nor must you. Buck up, old
pal! This is a hard row to hoe, but I guess you'll have to hoe it
alone. I can only sit on the fence and root for you.

"Aunt Lorena declares the world is coming to an end. Neighbor sent
Samri over to the house to ask Auntie what Ruth's last name was
and how to find her. He was so mad with you that night you told
him, he evidently did not catch her name. And then, Aunt Lorena
says, the very next morning Neighbor started out and was gone all
day.

"He could not have gone to see Ruth. Of course not! Certain sure
if he had, I should have heard of it from either Ruth herself or
from Agnes. But he _might_ have gone to Milton to make inquiries
about her.

"However, I am afraid whatever he did that day he was away, it di