“Mrs. Marborough will make short work of him,” Penny laughed. “She’s so friendly to visitors!”
Before the girls could walk on to the apple tree, Mrs. Marborough opened the door.
“Mr. Butterworth?” she asked, without waiting for the man to speak.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come in,” invited Mrs. Marborough, her voice impersonal.
The caller stepped across the threshold and the door swung shut.
“Did you see that?” Louise whispered, stunned by the ease with which the man had gained admittance.
“I certainly did!” Penny murmured. “That fellow—whoever he is—has accomplished something that even Riverview’s society ladies couldn’t achieve! Maybe I was puzzled before, but now, let me tell you, I’m completely tied in a knot!”
CHAPTER
13
A SILKEN LADDER
As Penny approached the school grounds the following morning, she heard her name called. A moment later, Rhoda Wiegand, breathless from running, caught up with her.