“Hello, Mr. Hooper!” Connie greeted him. “We’re glad you were able to come after all.”
“Hi, there,” the orchard owner said, but he scarcely noticed the little girl. “Is Carl Wingate here?”
The question took Connie by surprise. She could not guess why Mr. Hooper would ask about his cousin.
“At his place, they told me he had come here,” Mr. Hooper explained, his gaze sweeping the group of people on the lawn.
“Mr. Wingate was here a few minutes ago,” Connie said. “Yes, there he is now. Over by the table, talking to Mr. McLean!”
Mr. Hooper walked directly to the two men.
“Carl, there’s trouble afoot now!” he said, addressing his cousin.
The owner of the Wingate orchard turned to face Mr. Hooper.
“Trouble?” he repeated. “What d’you mean?”