“Why, Mollie, don’t you think that is a good enough explanation of Reginald Latham’s attitude toward Eunice?” Ruth asked.
“I most certainly do not!” Miss Mollie replied. “And how do you explain the Indian squaw’s feeling against the name of Latham?”
“Oh, Bab told us, Reginald explained all that to her, too. It seems that the Indians in this vicinity believed poor little Mrs. Latham had been persecuted by her husband’s family. So, if this old squaw ever heard the story, Latham would be an evil name to her,” Grace put in.
Mistress Mollie shrugged her shoulders. “I think that story is very unlikely. But, maybe, you believe it, just as Bab did. All I ask of you is—just be on the look-out to-day! I have been doing a little detective work myself. I do not agree with Bab’s explanation. I told you I was going to try an experiment, and I want you to help me. Then maybe, I can convince you, Bab, and Aunt Sallie of something that I believe! I am sure our little Indian Eunice has a closer connection with the Latham family than any of you dream!”
“Dear me, but you are interesting, Mollie!” interrupted Ruth. “I have a suspicion of what you mean. But go ahead, little Miss Sherlock Holmes! We are with you to the end. We shall be delighted to render any humble assistance necessary to your detective work.”
“I only want you to watch developments this afternoon, girls!” Mollie asserted mysteriously. “Later on, there may be some real work for us to do. So far, I have planned everything myself.”
“Well, Mollie, you are a nice one!” laughed Grace. “Kindly ‘put us on,’ as the saying goes. What have you planned?”
“Nothing but a meeting between Eunice and Mr. Winthrop Latham,” Mollie responded. “We are to take Eunice to the hotel to spend the day with us. She will be looking her best in the lovely clothes Ruth sent to her. And she has grown almost fair from her weeks in the hospital. Mr. Winthrop Latham is to have tea with us this afternoon. I asked Aunt Sallie to invite nobody but him. I shall bring Eunice quietly in, introduce her to Mr. Latham: then we shall see what happens! I did not wish to tell Bab my plan,” Mollie continued, “because she might make me give it up. But I believe Aunt Sallie agrees with me, though she did give me a scolding for having a suspicious nature! She declared, this morning, that it would be very well to have Mr. Winthrop Latham see Eunice. So just let’s wait, and watch with all our eyes this afternoon.”
“Bully for your experiment, Mollie!” nodded Grace. Ruth bowed her head to show how fully she agreed with both of the girls.
A pretty hospital nurse brought Eunice out to Ruth’s motor car. The child had on a soft ecru dress, cut low at the throat and simply made. She wore a brown coat, lined with scarlet, and a big brown felt hat with a scarf knotted loosely around it.