“Why indeed?” echoed Penny, frowning thoughtfully. “There can be but one reason! She has a dark secret which she is trying to hide from the world!”
CHAPTER
7
PENNY’S DISCOVERY
“Hiding a secret, my eye!” laughed Louise. “Penny Parker, sometimes I think that every person in Riverview suggests mystery and intrigue to you!”
“Then you explain why Mrs. Marborough doesn’t invite us into her house!” Penny challenged her chum. “And why did she turn the members of the Pilgrimage Committee away?”
“Oh, probably the place isn’t fixed up the way she wants it yet.”
“That’s no reason. No, she has a different one than that, Lou, and I’m curious to learn what it is.”
“You’re always curious,” Louise teased, taking Penny by the arm. “Come along. Let’s get a drink at the well.”
While the girls were lowering the bucket into the bricked cavern, Mrs. Marborough joined them, a woolen shawl thrown over her head and shoulders.
“I’ve not had time to get much work done yet,” she apologized. “I really must hire a man to clean up the grounds.”
“Then you have decided to make your home here?” Louise inquired eagerly.