“He didn’t,” sighed Agnes, “more’s the pity. Oh, no, Ruthie. I am not sorry Mrs. Eland and Miss Pepperill are going to be rich. But we could have made good use of some of that money.”
“Buying an automobile, for instance?” suggested Neale, chuckling.
“Be careful, young man,” Agnes warned him. “If you carry a joke too far, you shall never be allowed to run the Corner House automobile when we do get it.”
“I’ll be good,” said Neale, promptly. “For I have a sneaking sort of idea that maybe you will have one, Aggie, before long.”
“Oh, Neale!”
“Fact. Somebody’s going to get a bunch of money for finding that album. And you are the one who really made the find, Aggie Kenway.”
“Now I know I shall faint!” gasped the next to the oldest Corner House girl.
“We wouldn’t want money for giving Mrs. Eland what belongs to her,” Ruth said quietly.
“Maybe not,” said Neale, grimly. “But I guess Mr. Howbridge knows his business. He is your guardian. He will apply to the court for the proper reward for you, if it isn’t forthcoming from the beneficiaries themselves.”
“Goodness, Neale O’Neil! How you talk,” said Agnes, in wonder. “You talk just like a lawyer yourself.”