“Somehow I must manage to get into Room 27 and learn what is going on there,” she thought. “But how? That is the question!”
Ever an active, energetic person, Penny became increasingly restless as the day dragged on. During mid-afternoon, observing that Jake had hitched up the team to the sled, she inquired if he were driving down to Pine Top.
“Yes, I am sending him after supplies,” explained Mrs. Downey. “And the newspapers—if there are any.”
“I wish I could go along for the ride.”
Mrs. Downey regarded Penny skeptically.
“Oh, I wouldn’t get out of the sled,” Penny said.
“Is that a promise?”
“I’ll make it one. Nothing less than a fire or an earthquake will get me out.”
Jake brought the sled to the door, and helped the girl into it. The day was cold. Snow fell steadily. Mrs. Downey tucked warm bricks at Penny’s feet and wrapped her snugly in woolen blankets.
The ride down the mountainside was without event. Penny began to regret that she had made the trip, for the weather was more unpleasant than she had anticipated. She burrowed deeper and deeper into the blankets.