“I make them,” the man explained, as they looked up at him, puzzled. “And then I sell them in the town—sometimes.”
His mouth tightened bitterly, and he hastily returned the baskets to their hiding place. Then he turned and faced them abruptly.
“Where do you come from?” he asked almost sharply.
“We come from Three Towers Hall,” answered Billie.
“Three Towers!” The man looked very much interested. “Are you—er—teachers there or pupils?”
“Teachers! Hardly,” and Billie had to smile. “We are not old enough for that. We are pupils.”
“Do you like the place?'”
“Very much.”
Again there was a pause, and it must be admitted that, for a reason they could not explain, the girls felt far from comfortable. Oh, if only they were back at the boarding school again!
“I don’t know a great deal about the school,” said the man slowly. “I suppose there are lots of girls there.”