Sunny, Jane and Rosemary quickly gathered up their tulips and carried them back to the house. Vevi and Connie followed more slowly, stopping a moment to watch the revolving arms of the big windmill.
“Hanny,” said Vevi suddenly, “when are you going to tell us about the mystery house?”
Hanny grinned and pretended not to understand.
“You know what I mean,” Vevi said pointedly. “When are you going to tell us what you keep in that locked building?”
“Someday,” Hanny laughed.
“We may not get out here again very soon,” Vevi argued. “Next week is the flower show at Mrs. Langley’s estate.”
“And right after that the big commercial festival,” added Connie. “The Brownies will be very busy next week too. We have to make our booth and cut paper tulips to decorate the library.”
“But you will have to come again, if only to try on the wooden shoes Uncle Peter is making for you,” Hanny protested.
“We won’t be able to stay long next time,” Vevi insisted. “If you’re ever going to tell us about that locked house, now is the time to do it.”
Hanny hesitated a long while. Then she demanded: