The letter was somewhat rambling; but it gave the older girls the impression that Mrs. Pendleton was dreadfully worried. And if her husband was again out of work it was no wonder that she was anxious.
“I know that old fellow who keeps the store on Plane Street. He’s just as ill-tempered as Billy Bumps,” declared Neale O’Neil. “I guess Mr. Howbridge did not know Peter Conroy, or he would not have sent Mr. Pendleton to work there.”
This proved to be the case, as the lawyer admitted when he returned to the hotel at the end of the week.
“I am sorry for Pendleton. I had a personal interview with him before we left home and he seemed patient and willing. I am waiting now to hear from my clerk whom I instructed by wireless to look up the personal character of Mr. Israel Stumpf.”
“Oh!” murmured Ruth, in some trouble, “I only felt a suspicion of him. I do not really know anything about Mr. Kolbeck’s stepson.”
“No. Neither do I,” said Mr. Howbridge dryly. “But I mean to.”
“I know Mr. Pendleton has been ill used,” declared Agnes, with her usual energy. “And Mrs. Pendleton is a dear.”
“Carrie and Margy are real nice,” said Tess, who overheard the discussion. “I guess their father must be, too.”
“Anyway, he is the only man we ever saw that fell out of a tree,” Dot observed. “He’s real int’resting, I think.”
Ruth and Agnes were very much worried, and talked the matter over together before retiring.