Miss Kippenberg stared at Penny with expressionless, half-glazed eyes.
“Oh!” she murmured. Her head dropped low, her body sagged and she slumped down on the sofa in a faint.
CHAPTER
10
A THROWN STONE
Penny’s first thought was to call for assistance, but sober reflection made her realize that to do so would likely result in awkward questions. She felt certain Miss Kippenberg had only fainted and would soon revive.
Stretching the young woman full length upon the sofa, the girl ran to the washroom for a glass of water. She dampened a towel and folded it across Miss Kippenberg’s forehead, at the same time rubbing the limp hands and trying to restore circulation. Noticing the white gold ring which had fallen to the floor, she reached down and picked it up.
“Miss Kippenberg must have fainted because of what I told her about the lily pond,” thought Penny. “I should have used more tact.”
She watched the young woman anxiously, fearing that what she had assumed to be an ordinary faint might really be a heart attack. A wave of relief surged over her as Miss Kippenberg stirred slightly. Her long dark eyelashes fluttered open and she stared blankly about her.
“Where am I?” she asked, moistening her dry lips.
“Here, drink this,” Penny urged, offering the glass of water. “You’ll feel much better in a few minutes.”
“Now I remember,” Miss Kippenberg murmured. “You were saying—”