But just as he was about
to make his way to her side a diversion occurred which took her
completely away from him. A girl near by, who on account of physical
frailty had had a minor part, grew suddenly faint, and in a trice
Roberta had impressed into her service a strong pair of male arms,
nearer at hand than Richard's, and had had the slim little figure
carried behind the scenes, herself following.
Ten minutes later he learned from Ruth that Roberta had gone back to
Miss Copeland's school with the girl, recovered but weak.
"Couldn't anybody else have gone?" he inquired, considerable impatience
in his voice.
"Of course--lots of people could, and would. Only it's just like Rob to
seize the chance to get away from this, and not come back. You'll
see--she won't. She hates being patted on the back, as she calls it. I
never can see why, when people mean it, as I'm sure they do to-night.
She's the queerest girl. She never wants what you'd think she would, or
wants it the way other people do. But she's awfully dear, just the
same," Ruth hastened to add, fearful lest she seem to criticise the
beloved sister. "And somehow you don't get tired of her, the way you do
of some people.
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