“Mother-love,” she actually cooed, in the softest little voice she could command, “I just love it tonight, don’t you?”
“Perfect,” replied the happy mother, pressing lovingly upon the imprisoned arm. “And I am so glad, daughter-love, that you want to give up your business.” There was a humorous little twist given to that last word, for Nancy’s business was and had been something of a practical joke among the Brandons.
“Let’s walk around the old house,” suggested Nancy, for they were at a fork in the road and needed to choose a way to Miss Townsend’s. “Then, maybe we will discover something about Mr. Sanders’ quarters.”
But just as they were about to turn into the lane that led past the old stone house, Ted hailed them from the hilltop.
He wanted to know where they were going. He wanted to know if he could go along, and as they managed to make signs that gave at least a negative answer to this last request, they found themselves on the open road, walking directly away from the old stone house.
“We won’t be long, Ted,” his mother assured him, as he reached them, “and you can, if you want to, go over to Norton Duncan’s. We will give you a call as we come back, and then we will all go home together. The side door key is in the regular place though, if you would rather go home—”
“Oh, no I wouldn’t. I’ll stay out 'til nine, and Nort and I’ll practice drill,” proclaimed Ted. “We’re going to have a regular test drill soon, and he’s my partner.”
This being a satisfactory arrangement, Ted went to Nort’s while Nancy and her mother continued on to the little country hotel, where the Townsends had taken up their abode.
“I do hope,” murmured Nancy, “that she won’t upset our plans. I just can’t see, Mother, why you bother about her at all,” she complained.
“The place is ours for this summer to do as we please with it, Nancy,” her mother replied, “but just the same, it is a little business courtesy to show to Miss Townsend. We have the option on the place, and I fully intend to buy it, but the shop was so dear to Miss Townsend’s heart, that I feel we ought to, at least, tell her what we plan to do for the month.”