“Yes, of course I do. It isn’t that. You’ve been so good and kind to me. I’ll never be able to repay you for your trouble and expense.”
“Nonsense! The trip will be more fun if you go along, Rosanna. Besides, I have an overwhelming curiosity to see Raven Ridge and your uncle’s estate. Please say you’ll go.”
“All right, I will,” Rosanna gave in.
“Good. Father and I will stop for you tomorrow. I must get back home now and start packing.”
Penny clattered down the creaking, narrow stairway and disappeared into the night.
Although the trip was only a short one, and at the longest would occupy less than a week’s time, Penny spent many hours planning her wardrobe. She packed an evening gown, several afternoon frocks, and sports clothes. Then, reflecting that Rosanna would not be so well fixed, she hung the garments back in the closet, substituting her plainest dresses.
“There, that will be much better,” she decided. “A wise traveler goes light anyway.”
At three o’clock the following afternoon, Penny and her father stopped at Rosanna’s rooming house to pick up the orphan. She was waiting on the porch, and as Penny had thought, confined her luggage to one overnight bag.
At first the road to Mt. Ashland wound through fertile valleys and low hills. Gradually, they climbed. The curves became more frequent. Tall pines bordered the roadside.
Six o’clock found the party well into the mountains, although still some miles from their destination. Noticing a pleasant little inn at the top of a ridge, they stopped for dinner which was served on the veranda overlooking a beautiful valley.