“Why, riding in a car.” Louise’s dark eyes sparkled mischievously as she added: “With a beautiful brunette too.”
“You’re joking.”
“I am not. Your father was riding with Mrs. Deline. She’s a widow, you know, and has lived in Riverview less than a month.”
Mrs. Weems, who had overheard the conversation, came over to the steps.
“Mrs. Deline, did you say?” she inquired, slightly disturbed. “I’ve heard of her.”
“And so have I!” declared Penny with biting emphasis. “Why, that woman would make the Merry Widow look like a dead number! She’d better not try to sink her hooks into Dad!”
“Penelope!” the housekeeper reproved sternly.
“Well, you know what everyone says—”
“Please don’t repeat idle gossip,” Mrs. Weems requested. “I’m sure Mrs. Deline is a very fine woman.”
“She’s the slickest serpent that ever free-wheeled into Riverview!” Penny said heatedly. “I saw her in action last week-end at the Country Club. Why, she simply went out of her way to cultivate any man who had an income of more than twenty-five thousand a year.”