Bet paid no attention to Auntie Gibbs' remarks. "Listen girls," she said. "I'm to go down at once and put it in the safety deposit box. Dad's got a cash offer for it. And he says it will save the estate."
"What does he mean by that?" asked Kit. "Save the estate?"
"I hardly know. I'm really puzzled about that."
"I didn't know your father was having any business troubles, Bet, though I had noticed that he'd lost his appetite lately," said Auntie Gibbs.
"I knew something was bothering him," mused Bet, "but I never guessed it was about money or the estate. Poor Dad, and I wasn't any comfort to him at all."
"You're always a comfort to your father, Bet," protested the old lady.
"He dotes on you!" exclaimed Shirley.
"Oh, of course, I know that. Now I'm going to go right down to the bank and put that fan away."
Bet hurried up stairs followed by the girls. "Get your hats and coats on and I'll get the fan."
Bet ran into her father's room. She looked in the drawer where the fan should have been. She rummaged through the contents of the desk and fear seized her as she became certain the fan was missing.