Nor were the Maynards used to them, except as they had seen Hester in her rages now and then.
Cousin Jack looked after the child a little sadly.

He was sorry that she could behave so, but he had made up his mind that Midget and King had been imposed on by Hester for a long time, and he had determined to put a stop to it.

The advent of Ruth gave a good opportunity, and he availed himself of it.
A silence fell on them all.

They watched Hester as she slowly went out of Sand Court.
But as she started across the lawn, she saw a garden hose with which a man had been sprinkling the grass.

He had gone off and left it lying on the ground, partly turned off.
Hester picked it up, turned it on to run full force, and whirling herself quickly around pointed it straight at Ruth.