The day was hot, the work was exacting, and when it was over everyone was ready to rest. Russ was perhaps busier than any, for he had to prepare the films to be sent in light-tight boxes to New York for development, arrangement, and printing.
"Let's go off to the woods," suggested Alice to her sister, when they had changed their costumes for walking dresses of cool brown, with white waists. "I declare I just want to get under a tree and lie down on the soft green moss."
"So do I, dear. We'll go up to that little dell which is so pretty--the one where we got the lovely flowers. It is so restful there."
Together the sisters set off, walking slowly, for the air was sultry.
"Don't you want to come, Daddy?" called Ruth to her father, who was sitting on the farmhouse porch.
"No, thank you," he answered. "I have some letters to write."
His voice had grown somewhat stronger under the influence of the pure, country air, and from the fact that he used it very little. But still it was not clear enough to enable him to go back into legitimate theatrical work. And, truth to tell, he rather preferred the moving pictures now. It was easier, even if there was no audience to applaud him.
Ruth and Alice soon reached the edge of the cool woods, and then they strolled slowly along until they came to a little dell--a nook they had discovered one day when out walking.
"Oh, this is delightful!" exclaimed Alice, as she sank down on a bed of moss.
"Yes, it is very soothing to the nerves," agreed Ruth. "Oh, dear!" she suddenly cried, leaping to her feet.
"Oh, mercy me!" mocked her sister. "Are you so scared that even a bug can't look at you, sister mine? Why, it's only a lady-bug--very proper to have on one's shoes, I'm sure," she added, as she saw the harmless insect.
"I don't care! I just hate bugs!" cried Ruth. "I wish I had a rug to sit on."
"Oh, you were never meant for the country!" laughed Alice. "Come, sit down, I'll keep the bugs away from you," and she pulled a big fern, which she used as a fan.
The sisters sat and talked of many things, speculating on the identity of the mysterious man and wondering if the Apgars would ever discover Uncle Isaac's missing money and so save the farm.
The day was drawing to a close, and the girls felt that they must soon return to the farmhouse.