She watched while Melvina plodded across the grass and delivered her message. Instantly Lucy dropped the basket and hastened toward the house. Another moment the girl stood before her.
“You’re worse, Aunt Ellen?” she said, panting for breath.
But Ellen ignored the question.
“What’s Martin Howe doin’ in my garden?” she demanded fiercely.
Lucy paled.
“He came over to help me transplant the larkspur.” 226
“By what right does he come over here, I’d like to know?”
No reply came.
“Has he been over before?” interrogated Ellen ruthlessly.
“Yes.”