“You’ll not hear from me,” Mrs. Myles said firmly.
On the road en route to their homes, the Brownies discussed the failure of their mission. All were agreed that Mrs. Myles was too stubborn ever to change her mind about accepting the money.
“I can’t understand why she dislikes her brother so intensely,” remarked Connie. “I think he’s nice.”
“She called him a thief too!” recalled Veve. “It must have been something about money that caused their first quarrel.”
Regretfully the Brownies reported to Mr. Vincent their failure to induce Mrs. Myles to accept the money.
Of course they were too tactful to tell him everything his sister had said. They were hopeful that the carpenter would disclose why he and Mrs. Myles had quarreled. He did not do so, however.
“If Minnie refuses to accept the money, then nothing can be done to help her,” he said. “At least I tried.”
The coming auction sale had been advertised on posters. Reading that all household goods were to be sold the next Saturday, the Brownies asked Miss Gordon if they might attend in a group.
“Why, yes, if the girls care to,” the Brownie leader consented. “I may buy a few things just to help out.”
“I’d like to bid in some buttons,” declared Veve. “I wonder if the match holder and cross-stitch pillow will be auctioned?”