Part 32 (1/2)
”Let me worry about that.”
”Ted hasn't come to see me either,” Rhoda went on nervously. ”I--I'm beginning to think I should go back and sign that paper.”
”Don't even consider it,” Penny said firmly. ”You need diversion to keep your mind off the problem. Let's hike out to the Marborough place!”
Carrying their books, the girls set off for Rose Acres. Several windows on the lower floor of the house had been opened to admit fresh air and the blinds no longer were drawn. For the first time since Mrs.
Marborough's return, the old mansion actually had a ”lived in”
appearance. However, although Penny knocked many times, the widow did not come to the door.
”She can't be here,” Rhoda remarked at last.
”The windows are open,” Penny said thoughtfully. ”I doubt that Mrs.
Marborough would go very far away without closing them.”
The girls wandered to the wis.h.i.+ng well, and then made a complete tour of the grounds. Mrs. Marborough was nowhere in the yard.
”Shall we go?” Rhoda asked.
”I'll knock on the door just once more,” Penny said. ”I can't help feeling that she is here.”
Circling the house to the side entrance, the girls again rapped and waited.
”Listen!” commanded Penny suddenly.
”I don't hear anything,” declared Rhoda, startled by the manner in which her companion had given the command.
”I thought someone called or groaned--the sound came from inside the house.”
”You must have imagined it.”
”Maybe I did,” Penny acknowledged, ”but I don't think so.”
Testing the door, she found it unlocked. As it swung back a tiny crack, she called loudly: ”Oh, Mrs. Marborough, are you at home?”
Distinctly, both girls heard an answering cry, but the words were unintelligible. The sound had come from the direction of the kitchen.
”Mrs. Marborough must be ill!” Penny gasped, for the voice had been very weak.
Hesitating no longer, she entered the house, and with Rhoda trailing close behind, ran to the kitchen. Mrs. Marborough, still garbed in night clothing, lay on the daybed, her face ashen. The woman breathed with the greatest of difficulty, and both girls knew at once that she was seriously ill.
”My heart--” Mrs. Marborough whispered. ”An attack--last night.”
”Rhoda, run as fast as you can and get Doctor Hamilton,” Penny said tersely. ”I'll stay here.”
As soon as her friend had gone, she busied herself trying to make Mrs.
Marborough comfortable. She rearranged the disordered blankets, and fanned air toward the woman, making it easier for her to breathe.