Part 34 (1/2)
”That must have been the night I overheard them talking at the wis.h.i.+ng well,” Penny returned.
She remained silent a moment, thinking. Suddenly, she glanced up, her eyes dancing. ”Rhoda, I have an idea!”
”What is it, Penny?”
”It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted.”
”Tell me what you have in mind.”
”It's like this, Rhoda! If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!”
”Strong arm methods?” Rhoda asked, slightly amused.
”Indeed not! The old wis.h.i.+ng well will turn the trick.”
”You certainly have me puzzled, Penny.”
”Getting those men here will be the most difficult,” Penny went on, thinking aloud. ”But I can sell them a ticket to the ball. Failing that, I'll give them one free.”
”There's still no guarantee they would come.”
”I know how we can make sure of it! Rhoda, you can write Mr. Coaten a note, asking him to meet you here at ten o'clock. The ball will be in full sway by that time. If you hint you've decided to sign the adoption papers, he's certain to come.”
”And then how will I get out of it?”
”Leave that part to me,” Penny chuckled. ”We'll get Mr. Coaten here, and you're to talk with him beside the wis.h.i.+ng well.”
”Why in that particular place?”
”I can't tell you now,” Penny said, smiling mysteriously. ”Just accept my word for it that it's of utmost importance. As soon as you get the men at the wis.h.i.+ng well, make an excuse and run into the house, leaving them together.”
”And then what?” Rhoda asked, completely bewildered.
”From that point the old well and I will take over!” Penny laughed. ”I can't tell you another thing. But if my scheme works--and I think it will--Mr. Coaten's little game will be exposed in a most dramatic way!”
CHAPTER 23 _GRAND BALL_
”Everything will be ruined--everything!” wailed Penny. She stood in the living room at Rose Acres, her face pressed almost against the window pane. ”It's been raining for an hour straight! No one will come to the party.”
”Oh, don't take it so hard,” Rhoda said cheerfully. ”You know over three hundred tickets were sold. Even if the rain does cut down the crowd we'll still have as many people as this house can accommodate.”
Admiringly, her gaze wandered about the room which glowed brilliantly with the light of dozens of candles. Every chair was in place, flowers decorated the vases, and at the square, old-fas.h.i.+oned piano, sat Mrs.
Marborough, in rustling black silk, playing a few tinkling chords.
”You mustn't tire yourself,” Rhoda said to her. ”Not until the guests come, at least.”
”I never felt better in my life,” Mrs. Marborough insisted. ”Why, I'm as excited as a school girl! Is Judge Harlan really coming to the ball?”
”Everyone of consequence in Riverview will be here,” Rhoda a.s.sured her.