“That’s all right with me,” grinned Penny. “I must skip now before Fenestra gets back from town. Just keep your eye on him and report to me if anything unusual happens.”
CHAPTER
20
PICNIC BY MOONLIGHT
Penny had never found it necessary to explain fully to her father what had become of Mrs. Weems. She had mentioned rather carelessly that the housekeeper was helping out at the Fenestra home for a few days, and he had accepted the substitution of Tillie Fellows without too many questions.
At breakfast on Wednesday morning, the publisher waited until Tillie had gone to the kitchen, and then asked in an undertone:
“How much longer is this to continue? When is Mrs. Weems coming home?”
“Friday morning, Dad. Don’t you like Tillie’s cooking?”
“It’s awful,” he whispered. “These eggs taste as if they had been fried in lard.”
“They were,” chuckled Penny. “Tillie was brought up to be frugal. She never wastes butter.”
The discussion was brought to an abrupt end by the appearance of Tillie. Mr. Parker immediately switched to another subject, that of a barbecue picnic which he gave each summer to the Star employes. Penny had forgotten that the outing was scheduled for that night at the cottage.
“I’m glad you reminded me, Dad,” she said. “I’ll be there with bells to eat my share of roast beef. Mind if I bring Old Horney?”