“I don’t know,” Babs flared back this time. “You don’t suppose I do know, do you, Cara?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that, Babs; of course you don’t know,” Cara sort of apologized. “But I thought you might have some idea. Here we are. Going to stay long? I’ve got to drive Mother to the village——”
“Don’t think of coming for me, Cara,” Babs interrupted as she stepped out of the car in front of the Community House. “I need the walk back home. I’m not going to stay long, either,” she declared, “for I don’t see a lot of fun in sorting this truck. Of course, we’ve promised, and we’ve got to help,” she recalled, “but it’s women’s work; we do better in swimming this time of year.”
“We certainly do, Babs,” Cara promptly agreed. “But you haven’t unburdened your soul.” She had a merry way of making things easier. Most of Babs’ troubles seemed to take wings when Cara Burke blew her breath at them. But this was different. It wouldn’t go. It couldn’t go when each step added weight to the worry.
Nicky was gone!
“You know,” Babs almost whispered to Cara, for she had one foot on the running board and that brought her very close to Cara’s ear, “you know,” she repeated, “Nicky’s folks have moved.”
“I guessed that,” Cara answered.
“Why?”
“Because I heard him begging you for money yesterday on the porch. Don’t look so alarmed. I went out looking for you and heard him almost sobbing for some money,” said Cara.
“Who heard us?” Another shock for Babs.