“Just a little token, O wishing well,” she muttered. “My desire is a most worthy one. All I ask is that Jay Franklin be given his come-uppance!”
“We’ll all second that wish!” Penny added gaily.
“There!” Mrs. Marborough declared, rather pleased with herself. “That makes me feel better. Now I’ll forget that man and go about my business.”
“I think it was selfish of him to take the attitude he did about the stone,” Penny said, wishing to keep an entertaining topic alive.
Mrs. Marborough seemed to have lost all interest in the subject. Gathering her long skirts about her, she started for the house. Midway up the flagstone path she paused to say:
“There’s a tree of nice summer apples out yonder by the back fence. Pick all you like and take some home if you care for them.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Marborough,” Louise responded politely.
After the door had closed behind the old lady, the girls did not immediately leave the vicinity of the wishing well.
“She means to be kind,” Louise commented, drawing figures in the dirt with her shoe. “But isn’t it funny she never invites us into the house?”
“It’s downright mysterious,” Penny added. “You notice Jay Franklin didn’t get in there either!”