The rain now was falling so fast, that the Brownies could not make a dash for the automobiles. Instead, they waited in the shed.
Mr. Hooper was very pleased to have saved his fruit. He thanked everyone for the help he had received.
“Here is the money I owe the Brownies and their helpers,” he said, giving Miss Gordon a check. “It doesn’t half express my appreciation.”
The Brownies gathered around their leader to read the amount of the check.
“Seventy-two dollars and forty-nine cents!” Sunny Davidson exclaimed. “Why that’s almost a hundred dollars when you count the money we made on our crazy quilt!”
“Did we really pick that many cherries?” Veve asked.
“You certainly did with the help of your parents,” Mr. Hooper replied. “Next year you’ll be able to earn more—”
He checked himself and finished rather lamely: “that is, you will if you pick for me.”
“Of course, we’ll work for you!” declared Veve before she stopped to think. “You wouldn’t catch us stripping for Mr. Wingate.”