“I am sure I don’t know what poor Mrs. Pendleton is going to do if the money stops coming in,” said Ruth.
“It will certainly be a hardship for them,” answered Agnes. “He hasn’t been at his job long enough to have saved any money.”
“Saved money! Why, Agnes, they’re not out of debt yet for what they owed to the butcher and the grocer and a whole lot of other people!”
“Yes, and think of its being in the dead of winter, too!” went on the sister, with a troubled face. “I do hope they’ve coal and wood enough in the house to keep warm.”
“Yes, and clothing too. Think of those children going out in the bitter cold winter weather only about half clad!”
Nothing at present could be done, however, by any of them to help the Pendletons. Matters would have to take their course. Mr. Howbridge knew that his clerk would be informed of Oscar Pendleton’s loss of employment and would take steps to aid the family accordingly. But nothing vital could be done for the Pendletons until the truth about the robbery of the Kolbeck & Roods warehouse was discovered.
Luke came back with Professor Keeps from their first expedition for the study of the flora of the island. The botanist was delighted with his discoveries, and he was intent upon classifying and mounting his specimens during the next few days, so his young assistant was excused from attendance upon him.
The Kenway party planned a voyage around the island, for Mr. Howbridge’s business friend owned a large motor-boat and had put the craft at the disposal of the party from the North.
Both Neale and Luke had some knowledge of the management of a launch, and the Kenway party got under way early one morning, provisioned for a voyage of at least forty-eight hours. That they took no native seaman along was a misfortune rather than an oversight. The caretaker of Señor Benno’s motor-launch had been taken ill during the night and lay groaning in his hammock unable to go with the “Americanos.”
“Shucks!” grumbled Neale, “we don’t need him. He wouldn’t be much good anyway, like enough.”