Part 8 (2/2)
As George and Bess looked puzzled, Nancy hastily explained her plan. She would drive to Sandy Creek, pick up Honey's mother, and purchase enough food for supper.
”We'll have a regular feast,” she promised. ”How much money do you girls have with you?”
”Two dollars and ten cents,” Bess said, opening her purse.
”I have only one dollar with me,” George announced apologetically.
”With what I have that will be enough,” Nancy said briskly. ”I'll pay you both back when we get home.”
”No you won't,” George protested. ”We're all in on this.”
”Fine!” Nancy smiled. ”You girls stay here with Honey. I'll hurry back as quickly as I can.”
”Honey's mother may not like our interfering,” Bess ventured doubtfully.
”I'll be tactful,” Nancy promised.
Honey followed her to the car, eying Nancy with wors.h.i.+pful eyes.
”I like ice cream,” she ventured with a timid smile.
”I'll bring some,” Nancy said. ”And plenty of other good things. A bone, with meat on it, for Hans, too!”
She drove away swiftly. A quarter mile down the road she caught sight of a woman trudging along dejectedly. Honey's mother!
Nancy was quick to observe the downcast expression on the woman's face and guessed that she had received no word from her husband. Undoubtedly Mrs. Swenson had hoped that he would send money so that she might purchase food.
”Poor thing!” Nancy thought. ”I don't believe I can ever bring myself to tell her about the diary. If her husband has done wrong, it will break her heart.”
Pulling over to the side of the road, she called a cheery greeting. Mrs. Swenson started in surprise as she recognized Nancy.
”Won't you let me drive you home?” Nancy asked her.
”But you're going in the opposite direction,” Mrs. Swenson protested.
”Oh, that's perfectly all right,” Nancy replied, as the woman wearily climbed in beside her.
”I'm on my way to town to buy some things,” Nancy explained, ”but as soon as I've purchased them, I'll take you straight home. You won't mind the extra ride, will you?”
”Indeed I won't.” Mrs. Swenson smiled faintly. ”I don't feel as though I could walk another step. I must get home soon, though, for my little girl hasn't had her supper.”
Nancy wondered what would be the best way in which to broach the plan to Mrs. Swenson about the ”feast.”
”Well, here goes!” Nancy thought. ”If she refuses, there's nothing the girls and I can do except return home.”
CHAPTER VII.
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