“You have six thousand dollars cash in the house!”
“Yes, I had the cashier give it to me in hundred dollar bills.”
“Do you consider it safe to keep such a large sum?” Mr. Parker inquired mildly. “I should advise returning it to the bank, or better still, why not invest it in sound securities?”
Mrs. Weems shook her head. “It gives me a nice rich feeling to have the cash. I’ve hidden it in a good place.”
“Where?” demanded Penny.
“I won’t tell,” laughed Mrs. Weems.
Again later in the evening, Mr. Parker tried without success to convince the housekeeper that she should return the money to a bank. Never one to force his opinions upon another, he then dropped the subject.
“When will you be leaving us, Mrs. Weems?” he inquired.
“Whenever you can spare me. Now that I have the money, I should like to leave within ten days or two weeks.”
“Since we can’t persuade you to remain, I’ll try to find someone to take your place,” Mr. Parker promised.