“Selfish?” Louise inquired, puzzled.
“The last one came true. I shouldn’t expect too much.”
“Do make your wish, Rhoda,” urged Penny, “but don’t anticipate quick action. I’m still waiting for mine to come true.”
Rhoda drew a bucket of water from the well, and filling the dipper which always hung on a nail of the wooden roof, drank deeply.
“I wish,” she said soberly, “I wish that Ted might find a job. If he could get work, maybe it wouldn’t be necessary to accept charity from Mr. Coaten or anyone!”
Rhoda’s wish, so earnestly spoken, slightly embarrassed the others, for it served to remind them of the girl’s poverty.
“Now you make one, Penny,” Louise urged to cover an awkward silence.
“I can’t think of anything I want,” Penny answered.
“Well, I can!” Mrs. Marborough announced unexpectedly. “In all the years of my life I’ve never made a wish at this well, but now I shall!”
To the delight of the girls, she reached for the bucket of water. With a grim face she slammed the entire contents back into the well.