“She did testify against you,” sighed Laura. “But there really was a fire.”
“Just the same, if Hester hadn’t said she saw me throw something into the basket, Gee Gee would never have put it up to the principal so strong.”
Hester was evidently waiting for her mother to appear from the house. They were probably going shopping. Before Laura spoke again she and Bobby heard—as did everybody else who might be listening on the block—Mrs. Grimes shouting to Hester from an upper window:
“Hes! have you seen my veil?”
“No, Ma,” replied Miss Grimes.
“My ecru veil—you know, the big one—the automobile veil?”
“I haven’t got it, Ma,” shouted back Hester.
Laura leaped to her feet.
“What’s the matter, Laura?” demanded Bobby.
“Wait a minute, Bobby,” whispered the older girl.