“What did I say about changes?” Miss Rindy returned, as she handed over the letter which Mabel read immediately.
“Of course it isn’t a fortune,” she commented, “but if those pictures sell well, it will swell the sum. I must spread the news abroad and get all my friends interested. I’ll buy one myself, and make Gran do the same, so you can count on two purchasers, at least.”
“Where is Reed?” asked Miss Rindy. “Does he know about this?”
“He does indeed, for he is mentioned in the will, too.” Then she told of what had been left to Reed. “He has gone to hunt up Tom,” she informed them.
“So probably we have seen the last of them this day,” remarked Miss Rindy with one of her twisted smiles. “I declare when I think of that boy rowing nearly all night out in that fog, I don’t know what to say.”
“I say he is a he-man,” responded Mabel. “I thought Tom was about the nicest ever, but now I may change my mind.”
“Take care,” Miss Rindy spoke warningly.
“Of what or whom?” inquired Mabel.
“You should know without me saying,” replied Miss Rindy.
“Well,” both girls flushed up, “I want to see him to congratulate him,” said Mabel. “Isn’t he coming back, Ellen?”