“If you want to look inside, there’s a shutter off on the east livin’ room window,” he informed. “Everything’s just like the old lady left it.”
“You don’t mean the furniture is still in the house!” Rhoda exclaimed incredulously.
“There ain’t nothing been changed. I never could figure why someone didn’t come in an’ haul off her stuff, but it’s stood all these years.”
Their curiosity aroused, the girls hastened to the window that Truman Crocker had mentioned. Flattening her face against the dirty pane, Penny peered inside.
“He’s right!” she announced. “The furniture is still covered by sheets! Why, that’s funny.”
“What is?” inquired Louise impatiently.
“There’s a lady’s hat lying on the table!”
“It must be quite out of style by this time,” Louise laughed.
“A new hat,” Penny said with emphasis. “And a purse lying beside it!”
At the other side of the house, an outside door squeaked. Turning around, the group of girls stared almost as if they were gazing at a ghost. An old lady in a long blue silk dress with lace collar and cuffs, stepped out onto the veranda. She gazed beyond the girls toward Truman Crocker who leaned against a tree. Seeing the woman, he straightened to alert attention.