Nan was instantly sympathetic, and cried aloud: “What is the matter, Mrs. Cupp? What has happened?”
“I—I’m so frightened,” stammered the lady.
“Oh!” whispered Lillie, shrilly. “She’s seen the ghost.”
“My goodness!” moaned May, almost letting the red-haired girl fall to the floor.
But the latter, after all, was the one who rose to the occasion. Even Nan was too amazed to appreciate properly the fact that for once Mrs. Cupp was in a melting mood.
“Give her a chair, Nan, do!” cried Laura, bestirring herself briskly. “Something has surely upset her. The poor dear! Wish we had a cup of hot tea. But this chocolate is the next best thing to it.”
She poured a brimming cup and brought it to Mrs. Cupp, who had been seated at the long table. Before taking the first swallow the lady waved her hand toward the door.
“Lock it!” she gasped.
“It is locked,” Nan promptly assured her.
“You can bet it is!” exclaimed the crafty Laura. “We don’t want anybody coming in here who will tell on us,” she added significantly.