“Now mind, I’ll not have you telling this around the town! I’m through with all such silly business, and I don’t propose to have busybodies discuss whether or not I am addle-brained!”
“Why, Mrs. Marborough!” protested Louise. “It was a kind, generous thing to do.”
“Generous, fiddlesticks! I did it because it pleased me and for no other reason. Let’s not talk about it any more.”
Mrs. Marborough questioned the girls concerning their exploration of the tunnel. Her disappointment over the failure to find the pearls was keen but she tried not to show it.
“I knew it was a fool’s errand coming to Riverview to look for that stupid necklace!” she declared. “Like as not, it never was hidden at Rose Acres, my sister’s letter to the contrary. I intend to forget about the whole affair.”
“Oh, Mrs. Marborough, don’t give up so soon,” Penny pleaded. “Louise and I have only started to search. We may find it yet.”
“You’ve been very nice,” the widow said, smiling almost in a friendly way. “I’ll remember it always when I am far away.”
“Then you intend to leave Riverview?” Louise asked in disappointment.
“I must sell Rose Acres. I have no other course open.”
“Not to Jay Franklin, I hope!” Penny exclaimed.