MR. Hooper’s startling news brought the festival to an end.
Several orchard owners besides Carl Wingate were at the affair. They, too, were alarmed lest the Mexican pickers leave Rosedale and fail to return another season.
Not only Mr. McLean, Carl Wingate and Pa Hooper, but several other men said they would drive at once to the Mexican camp.
“Can’t we go too?” Veve coaxed Miss Gordon.
The Brownie leader hesitated.
“Maybe we could help,” Veve argued. “After all, the Mexicans are leaving because they weren’t allowed at the festival. And I invited them.”
“We might be able to clear up the misunderstanding.” The Brownie leader spoke thoughtfully. “I certainly don’t want the Mexicans to leave the community. Nor for that matter to feel that we turned them away from our social gathering.”
The mothers and fathers of the Brownies all were interested in seeing that the cherry pickers did not leave Rosedale.
Mr. Davidson, Connie’s father, and Mr. Webber offered to drive their cars to the Mexican camp. Everyone piled into the three automobiles.
“Drive fast,” Connie urged her father. “If we don’t hurry, we will get there too late.”