Before she could speak, her father’s car rolled onto the driveway with a loud crunch of gravel. A moment later he came into the house, carrying a large package.
“Special delivery for Miss Constance Williams,” he called in a loud voice. “Anyone here by that name?”
Connie laughed aloud, for although her name really was Constance, no one ever thought to call her by it.
The package was long, narrow, and very large.
“Is it from my Grandmother Williams?” Connie asked eagerly.
She tried to untie the cords on the package but they were very firm. Her father finally had to cut them with his pocket knife.
While the Brownies and Veve gathered around, Connie unwrapped two layers of heavy brown paper. Next she removed a covering of tissue paper.
Two long, narrow boards with leather straps clattered to the floor.
“Why, what are they?” asked Connie. She could not hide her disappointment.
“Skis,” announced Veve. “But how can you use them when there isn’t any snow?”