She knew that Mr. Van Der Lann and the pretty librarian twice had been seen together at the movies. Everyone in Rosedale, it seemed, had talked about it, saying they made a nice couple.
“It is getting late,” Vevi said, deciding not to tease her little friend about Miss Mohr. “I should be starting home.”
“I will fetch the bulbs,” Hanny offered. “They are in the barn.”
Vevi went with her to the building. While they were inside, Hanny tossed several ears of corn into the cow’s manger.
After that she sorted through several bags of bulbs until she found the one for which she searched.
“When you plant these, use a little fertilizer with them,” she instructed. “That will make them grow faster. And press the bulbs down firmly, so there will be no air pockets.”
Vevi picked up the bag and started to leave the barn. In the open doorway she paused and uttered an exclamation of surprise.
“You have a visitor, Hanny,” she said.
“A customer?” inquired Hanny. “Not the Mattox couple again!”
She went quickly to the door. Vevi pointed toward the locked house where the choice tulip bulbs were stored.