“Oh, no! But Celeste has a way of knowing everything that goes on in this household. What ought I to do?”
“If I were in your place I would get rid of Celeste and Antón. Send them packing!”
The suggestion seemed almost shocking to Lorinda.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that,” she answered. “In the first place, my stepfather would be furious if he returned and found them gone. Secondly, I doubt that they would go on my orders. They’re very independent.”
“Then I don’t see what you can do.”
“If only my stepfather were here! Unless he returns soon I’m afraid something dreadful will happen to Mother. Did she look well to you?”
“Well—” Penny hesitated, and then said truthfully: “She seemed pale and listless. But one can understand that, considering what she has been through.”
“I heard her give orders about her food this morning. She told Celeste she would have trays served in her room, and no food is to be cooked with salt.”
“Is that especially significant?”
“My stepfather once told me natives who believe a hex or ouange have been put on them are afraid to eat salted food. The salt is supposed to turn to poison in their bodies!”