Thus reassured, Veve and Connie stood their ground. They rather liked the old man who looked like a farmer in blue overalls and white shirt. His face was friendly and his eyes twinkled as he studied them.
“I’m Pa Hooper,” he introduced himself. “What may I do for you young ladies?”
Now this made Connie and Veve feel quite at ease. And even Cap tried to show them that they were welcome, for he came sniffing at their heels.
“We saw your sign,” Veve said, going directly to the point. “We would like a job picking cherries.”
As Mr. Hooper kept studying her, not saying a word, she told him about the Brownie organization. And Connie added that Mr. Wingate next door had sent them away most rudely.
“We may not be experienced pickers, but we can learn,” she declared. “Just give us a chance and we’ll prove what Brownies can do.”
Pa Hooper was greatly impressed with the direct approach of the two little girls.
He told them he very much needed pickers because some of the larger orchards had hired most of the Mexican pickers.
Unless his fruit could be harvested quickly, he might lose a large portion of it.
“Then are we hired?” Veve questioned.