Carmelita welcomed them at the kitchen door with a beaming smile that revealed her gleaming white teeth. Jerry introduced the air scout who surprised the girls by replying in perfect Spanish.
“I’m green with envy!” Dora told him. “I’m going to study Spanish next fall if it’s taught at our Sunnybank Seminary.”
“So you two are going back East to school this fall,” Harry said as they seated themselves around the kitchen table, cheerful with its red cloth and steaming tamale pie.
“Yes,” Mary nodded brightly. “Dad is well enough to go with me, Mrs. Farley says. Jerry has one more year over at the State University and Dick is going back East to study medicine. Oh, I forgot to say that Mrs. Farley is going to stay with us and help me take care of Dad. We three are going to rent a little house near Dora’s home.”
The conversation changed to the box. “I’m eager to know what is in it,” Mary said.
“I wanted Little Bodil to be the one to open it,” Jerry explained.
“How shall we get it to her?” Etta asked.
“I have a suggestion,” Harry said. “It will end the suspense sooner than any other way.”
“What? Do tell us!” came in eager chorus.
“Guess,” Harry turned to Mary.