Part 23 (2/2)
”Bess and George came down and watched for a while,” Burt said. ”They had planned to visit us at the cabin but couldn't get across the ravine. Nancy, they were concerned about you until we told them you were here during the storm. They went back to the hotel to find you and have dinner.”
”And I came here to cook dinner for you!” Nancy chuckled. ”I was so preoccupied with my shopping list I didn't even think to leave a note for Bess and George. They'll be disappointed when they find out.”
Nancy began preparing a warm meal. Later the boys declared that it was the first really good cooking they had tasted since they had arrived.
After the dishes had been washed and put away, Mr. Drew said, ”How would you fellows like to have the evening off? I'll be glad to stay here with Mr. Haley.”
”That would be great!” Ned exclaimed. ”Is there a dance at the hotel tonight, Nancy?”
”Yes. I imagine Bess and George would like some dates for it, too.” She grinned.
”Then let's go!” Ned exclaimed. ”Come on, fellows. We'll change our clothes right away.”
While they were getting ready, Nancy and her father sat with Mr. Haley in the adjoining room.
”How are you feeling?” Mr. Drew asked him gently when he saw that the patient's eyes were open.
”Better,” he replied. ”Only weak.”
”That's to be expected,” Nancy said soothingly. ”You have been very ill. Later Dad will bring you some broth and toast.”
She did not wish to excite Mr. Haley by further conversation, but he seemed to want her to talk. Finally Nancy went to the kitchen and took Miss Judson's photograph from the cupboard drawer, then returned to the sick man.
”Would you like me to place this picture near you where you can see it?” she inquired.
”Yes, please do,” Mr. Haley answered. ”Is Miss Margaret here now?”
”She does not know you've been ill.”
”Then it was a dream-I thought she was seated beside me, holding my hand.”
”Perhaps you confused me with Miss Judson,” Nancy said quietly. ”Tell me, did you work for her at the mansion?”
”Oh, yes. I took care of the trees and the garden and the flowers about the place. After Miss Margaret's parents died she didn't have much money but kept me on anyway.”
Tears glistened in Mr. Haley's eyes and several moments elapsed before he spoke again.
”Miss Margaret was good and kind,” he told his listeners. ”She never once spoke a harsh word to me in all the years I knew her. That's why it hurt me to see her so unhappy.”
”She was unhappy?” Nancy prompted as he fell silent again.
”Yes. After her parents died Miss Margaret was very lonely. She was to have been married, but the awful fire happened and all her plans were changed.”
”In what way do you mean?” Carson Drew inquired.
”I don't know-” Mr. Haley murmured wearily.
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