“Don’t burst!” cautioned Jack, running his car up alongside his sister’s. The road was wide enough for three for a short distance.
“Wasn’t that the same woman who was at your house?” went on Bess.
“I’m sure of it,” assented Cora. “Only I didn’t want to speak of it before him, Poor creature! What a plight to be in! No place to stay!”
“But that silver purse!” cried Bess. “And the money—” She stopped suddenly and looked at her sister. “Belle Robinson, you never gave that to her!” she cried.
“Yes I did,” admitted Belle. “I slipped it into the pocket of her cloak. I could see she needed it.”
“‘Bread upon the waters,’” quoted Cora. “I was wondering where she got it when the man mentioned it. To think of hearing about her again. Girls, I’m sure she must be, in some way, tragically mixed up in our lives. We are destined to meet her again, I’m sure.”
“Well, I can’t afford another silver purse,” said Belle, smiling. “It will have to be plain leather next time.”
“We’ll all chip in,” declared Jack.
“Well, we must make time now,” asserted Cora.
They found a rather anxious restaurant keeper looking down the road up which they came, but he became all smiles when he saw the merry party, and soon they were sitting down to a plain, but well-cooked and substantial meal. And they all had appetites, too!