Part 9 (2/2)
”You didn't forget Hans's bone?” she asked.
”I should say not,” Nancy told her. ”The butcher gave us the best one he had.”
Ned arrived, and everyone helped carry in the bundles. As Nancy stepped into the cottage it was her turn to be surprised. During her absence the girls had decorated the living-dining room with flowers from the garden and had brought out the best china, a lovely set of delftware.
”What beautiful dishes!” Nancy exclaimed admiringly.
”They're all I have left of our good possessions,” Mrs. Swenson said. ”The set was given to me as a wedding present. I must sell the dishes soon, but I keep putting it off.”
”It seems a shame to sell a wedding gift,” Bess remarked sympathetically. ”Especially such a lovely one as this.”
Under the influence of the young people, Mrs. Swenson brightened. It was impossible to be downhearted around Ned and Nancy, who kept up a constant stream of good-natured banter. Mrs. Swenson, an excellent cook, took charge of preparing the meal, but she had four able a.s.sistants. Honey and Hans hovered near the stove where the steak was sizzling.
”Hans has his canine eye on another bone!” Ned laughed. ”Well, he won't get it until we've picked it bare.”
Nancy had not misnamed the supper, for it really was a feast. There was plenty of everything and it was a pleasure to see Honey's eyes grow big at the sight of each steaming dish that was brought to the table.
It was a happy meal, and Ned proved to be a very interesting dinner companion. Even Mrs. Swenson's sober face lighted up and she ate her food with enjoyment. Nancy entered into the lighthearted conversation, but her mind was far from carefree. Several times during the meal George gazed at her significantly as though to ask what she intended to do about the diary. The girls had come to Sandy Creek to learn certain facts, but now that they realized how affairs were at the Swenson cottage, it seemed unkind to bring further trouble upon the family.
”I want to show you my little baby chicks,” Honey announced when the meal was over. ”I have ten yellow ones-all my own.”
Ned, Bess, and George obligingly followed the child outside.
”Coming?” Bess asked Nancy.
”No, I'll stay and help with the dishes.”
Nancy felt that it was her opportunity to talk with Mrs. Swenson alone. Yet, after the others had gone, she did not know how to launch the important subject. As she sc.r.a.ped the dishes, she cautiously broached the subject of nationalities.
”We're Swedish,” Mrs. Swenson declared. ”You probably guessed that.”
Nancy had, but her heart sank at the definite a.s.sertion.
”You speak perfect English,” she replied.
”My husband is a university man,” the woman returned proudly. ”He has always corrected my English and helped me with it.”
”What were the other names in your families?” Nancy asked, smiling.
”My maiden name was the same as that of Joe's mother-Dahl.” Nancy stifled a gasp. The ring with the initial ”D” must have been inherited by Joe Swenson! Now she must find out about the diary!
”I've often heard that people who move to this country keep diaries. Did your family follow the custom?” Nancy inquired, trying to make her question sound uninquisitive.
”The Swensons always did, even at home. My husband kept a diary in which he also told of his inventions. He hoped that this would help keep his ideas safe. But-” Mrs. Swenson stopped speaking and gazed into s.p.a.ce.
Nancy pretended not to notice the long pause. Finally she asked, ”Did your husband always carry the diary with him?”
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