Lorinda glanced quickly at Penny, laughed nervously and said: “Oh, that! I was burning a little driftwood.”
Mrs. Rhett held her daughter’s eyes in a steady, knowing gaze.
“It is useless to try to deceive me,” she said quietly. “I know you burned the doll.”
“Whatever gave you such an idea, Mother?”
“I know,” replied the woman with quiet finality. “First the burnt match ends and now the doll! My life thread is reaching its end, and I shall slowly weaken and die.”
CHAPTER
13
MISSING FROM THE CHEST
“Mother, how did you learn about the wooden doll?” Lorinda gasped. “And where did you get such a crazy idea that you will weaken and die?”
“I have known it ever since my husband went away.”
“But that’s impossible!” cried Lorinda, fairly beside herself with anxiety. “I’m sure the doll wasn’t in the house until today. Someone is putting these notions in your head! Is it Celeste?”
“Celeste is doing her best to help, but there is nothing she can do,” Mrs. Rhett said sadly.