“I called to tell you,” Brent said. “David and I are flying down tonight. The South American government is sending out a searching party and we want to help.”
“Take care,” Gale pleaded. “The jungle is so dangerous.”
“Who was it?” Ricky demanded, when Gale emerged.
Luckily the dinner summons saved Gale the necessity of an explanation. After dinner the girls retreated to their rooms to devote much needed time to their studies.
Gale looked up from her books to Phyllis. Phyllis was bent over a mathematics problem; her cane lay beside her chair and she looked very tired.
“Do you ever hear from Miss Fields, Phyllis?” Gale asked suddenly.
Phyllis looked up in surprise. “She sends me a monthly allowance. That is all, why?”
“I wondered. Did you always live with her, Phyl?” Gale continued slowly.
“I can’t remember anyone else,” Phyllis said. “Very faintly I recall a big house and a dog. We used to have grand times together. But I never had a dog in Marchton,” she said, “so perhaps it is all a dream.”
“Is Miss Fields your mother’s or your father’s sister?” Gale asked next. She knew the woman was neither, but she wanted to have Phyllis’ thought on the subject.