Part 29 (1/2)
”I'm cutting cla.s.ses for the afternoon,” the trailer camp girl replied, pausing. ”Mr. Coaten expects me to meet him at the Fischer Building. Can you tell me where it is?”
”Three blocks straight down the street,” Penny directed. She hesitated and then said: ”Rhoda, it's none of my affair, but I do hope you're not agreeing to Mr. Coaten's proposal.”
”The adoption? Yes, I am, Penny. I've tried to hold out against them all, but I can't do it. Ted signed the papers two days ago. Since then I've had no peace. Ted keeps after me, the Breens want me to do it, and Mr.
Coaten says I am selfish.”
”We both know Mr. Coaten intends to profit in some way at your expense.”
”I do feel that way about it. If only I dared stand firm--”
”You must,” Penny said earnestly. Deliberately taking Rhoda's arm she turned her about. ”You're to break that appointment and have luncheon with me. I'll a.s.sume all the responsibility.”
CHAPTER 20 _RHODA'S PROBLEM_
Rhoda allowed herself to be dissuaded, but not without misgiving. As she lunched with Penny at the Dolman Cafe, she painted a gloomy picture of what lay before her.
”You don't understand how it is,” she said, slowly stirring a cup of hot chocolate. ”I really haven't a good reason for refusing to consent to the adoption. If I had one sc.r.a.p of evidence against Mr. Coaten it would be different.”
”Can't you write to Texas and inquire about him and his friend?”
”I did,” Rhoda admitted. ”The answer came back that Mr. Coaten was unknown at the address he gave the Breens.”
”I should think that would be sufficient reason for distrusting him.”
”Oh, Mr. Coaten explained it by saying that his family just moved to a new house, and that he inadvertently had given me the wrong address.”
”Did you ask for the second one, Rhoda?”
”Yes, he gave it to me. So far I've not had time for a reply.”
”My advice is to stall for time,” Penny said. ”If we have even a few days more we may dig up some information. However, I'll confess I haven't an idea at the moment.”
”Mr. Coaten will be furious because I didn't keep the appointment,” Rhoda sighed. ”He's certain to come to the trailer camp tonight and demand an explanation.”
”Just tell him you changed your mind and refuse to say anything more. I wish I could talk to him.”
”So do I,” declared Rhoda with emphasis. ”Why not take dinner with us tonight--if you can stand our brand of hospitality.”
”Well, I don't know,” Penny hesitated. ”Louise and I plan to go to Mrs.
Marborough's place directly after school--”
”Oh, I wish I could go with you!” Rhoda declared impulsively. ”I never have had an opportunity to finish my sketch. Mrs. Marborough is such an interesting character, too.”
”You don't know the half of it,” laughed Penny. ”You're welcome to come along. I think Mrs. Marborough will be willing to share our secret with you.”
”Secret?”
”No questions now, please,” Penny requested, capturing both luncheon checks. ”We must hurry or we'll be late for school.”