“Oh, I’m a fast picker,” laughed Veve. Then, because she knew a Brownie had to be honest, she added: “Well, maybe I had some help!”
The girls plied her with questions. Finally, after she had tantalized them, Veve told about her meeting with the Mexican boy.
“One can’t blame the Mexican pickers for thinking of leaving if they are mistreated,” remarked Miss Gordon when she heard Juan’s conversation repeated. “However, I hope they don’t. If the pickers should go away from the area before the fruit is marketed, it would be most serious for all of the orchard owners.”
The Brownies now were well fed, rested, and ready to return to their work. Connie’s mother was sorry she had not worn old clothes so that she too might help.
“Perhaps I’ll come again tomorrow,” she declared. “That is, if it doesn’t rain.”
The sky had become slightly overcast. Although it did not look as if it would rain very soon, a storm appeared in the offing.
While the other Brownies returned to their trees, Veve went to the shed to have her cherries weighed.
“You did very well,” Pa Hooper praised as he marked the poundage on her card. “Guess you’re finally getting the trick of it.”
Veve flushed and decided then and there that during the afternoon she would keep her mind on her work.