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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f283f83 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51693 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51693) diff --git a/old/51693-0.txt b/old/51693-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0eee37a..0000000 --- a/old/51693-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6482 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival, by -Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: April 8, 2016 [EBook #51693] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROWNIE SCOUTS IN CHERRY FESTIVAL *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: - - “‘Ella Cooper’,” Connie read aloud. - Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival (_See Page 201_)] - - - - -The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival - - by - Mildred A. Wirt - - Illustrated - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - Publishers New York - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1950, BY - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - - _All Rights Reserved_ - - THE BROWNIE SCOUTS IN THE CHERRY FESTIVAL - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - -Contents - - - 1 Crazy Quilt 1 - 2 Cherry Pickers Wanted 20 - 3 Over the Fence 36 - 4 “Tail-ender” 46 - 5 The Brownies Lend a Hand 63 - 6 A Missing Coverlet 73 - 7 Pa Hooper’s Trunk 86 - 8 Duck’s Foot in the Mud 98 - 9 Veve’s Autograph Quilt 109 - 10 At the Cannery 118 - 11 The Mexican Camp 128 - 12 A Quilt Show 145 - 13 Trouble Afoot 164 - 14 Racing the Storm 176 - 15 Washington Calling! 192 - - - - -CHAPTER 1 - -Crazy Quilt - - -Stitch-stitch-stitch. - -Six needles nibbled at the gay scraps of cotton cloth. Six pairs of -scissors went snip, snip, snip as the Brownie Scouts worked at their -sewing in the Williams’ living room. - -The girls were making a crazy quilt. Dark-eyed Veve McGuire, who hated -to sew, declared that the task was as silly as the quilt’s name. - -“Oh, bother!” she exclaimed as her thread tangled into an ugly knot. -“Why not pitch this old thing and think of an easier way to earn money?” - -“I don’t mind sewing,” piped up Rosemary Fritche, who always liked to -be cooperative. - -“Neither do I,” chimed in Connie Williams. A leader among the Brownies, -she had worked very hard to make the organization a success. - -“But sewing a quilt is a lot of work,” sighed Sunny Davidson. - -Eileen Webber and Jane Tuttle, the other two girls who made up the -Rosedale Brownie Scout troop, nodded sober agreement. - -Miss Jean Gordon, the Brownie leader, had suggested weeks before that -the girls sew and sell the quilt to raise money. - -No one wanted to be disloyal or lazy. But the girls had stitched -steadily for nearly six meetings now. Even for Connie and Rosemary, who -liked to sew, the task was becoming a bit tiresome. - -“How else could we make money?” speculated Jane. She folded her -patchwork and gazed thoughtfully at Veve. - -“W-e-ll--” Veve was unprepared for the question. “We could tend babies -maybe. Or run errands.” - -“Everyone thinks we’re too young to look after babies--for pay, that -is!” returned Jane, tossing her long, yellow pigtails. - -“And folks always forget to offer money when you do something for -them,” added Eileen. - -“Well, there must be some way we could earn money,” Veve insisted. -“Maybe there’s an advertisement in the paper.” - -Taking the afternoon paper from the table, she spread it out before her -on the rug. - -Veve was still studying the ads when Miss Gordon came briskly into the -living room. The Brownie leader, who also taught fourth grade, had -brought a plate of freshly baked cookies and a pitcher of chocolate -milk. - -“Any tired little Brownies here?” she asked in her cheery voice. Miss -Gordon was very pretty, always pleasant, and the girls loved her. - -“We all are,” answered Connie Williams, and the others nodded in -agreement. - -“Piecing blocks is hard work,” grumbled Veve. “The thread tangles. -Besides, I pricked my finger twice!” - -“Dear me, I’m afraid this session of sewing has run on a little too -long,” replied the Brownie leader. “But making a quilt is so worth -while. And you’ve done splendidly!” - -Miss Gordon placed the pitcher of milk on the table as she bent to -inspect the pieced blocks. - -All the Brownies except Veve had done very well indeed. So rapidly had -the quilt grown, that very soon it would be ready for the quilting -frames. - -Now the coverlet was an amazing thing. Blocks were of all color, shape -and size. A red triangle of cloth taken from one of Connie’s cotton -frocks, snuggled against a square which once had been part of Eileen’s -outgrown black checked jumper. - -Even the stitching was different. Rosemary had used beautiful feather -stitching. Connie had pieced her blocks with a briar stitch. Veve had -used very plain and long ones. - -Nevertheless, the over-all effect was pleasing despite the “crazy” -hit-or-miss pattern which gave the quilt its name. - -“My thread knotted,” Veve explained. Out of the corner of her eyes, she -had noticed that Miss Gordon frowned as she examined a badly stitched -orange block. “Anyway, I don’t like to sew!” - -“Why, Veve!” Miss Gordon smiled at the little girl. “Our lovely quilt -is nearly finished now.” - -First she unknotted the tangled thread and sewed a few neat stitches -just to encourage Veve. - -Then she told the Brownies they might put away their patchwork for the -day. Connie and Sunny began to pass the cookies and glasses of cool -milk. - -Veve scarcely nibbled at her cookie. Instead, she kept reading the -advertising page of the paper. - -“I wish I could find an easy way to make money,” she mumbled. “Only no -one seems to want a baby sitter.” - -Miss Gordon began to tell the girls about the various types of quilts. - -“Beautiful patterns were originated by pioneer women who outdid -themselves to see how cleverly they could piece the blocks,” she -declared. “Many of our earliest American patterns were adapted from -designs on rugs and shawls brought to this country from Europe and the -Orient.” - -“Quilt patterns have names too,” declared Rosemary eagerly. - -“Indeed, they do. Can you mention any of them, Rosemary?” - -“‘The Hand of Friendship,’ and the ‘Pine Cone.’ My mother has one she -calls an ‘Album’ quilt.” - -“Altogether, there are hundreds of patterns,” explained the Brownie -leader. “Some of the better quilts were signed with the name of the -maker.” - -“Is that the same thing as an autograph quilt?” asked Connie. She had -heard her mother speak of such a coverlet. - -“No, in a true autograph quilt, each block was inscribed with the name -of the person who made it,” Miss Gordon replied. “Many of the blocks -were dated.” - -“Were the names stitched on?” inquired Sunny, reaching for her third -sugar cookie. - -“Sometimes they were. Then again they often were written on the block -with indelible pencil or ink. These old type quilts are historically -important.” - -Having ended her little talk, Miss Gordon handed around several books -which showed quilt patterns in beautiful colors. - -Veve, however, was too deeply absorbed in the newspaper to look at the -pictures when they were passed to her. - -“Girls, how would you like to have a quilt show?” Miss Gordon asked -unexpectedly. - -All the Brownies pricked up their ears and listened hard. Even Veve -forgot for a minute that she didn’t much care for anything connected -with quilts. - -“How can we have a show when the only quilt we own isn’t finished?” -This practical question came from Connie. - -Miss Gordon explained that she did not expect the Brownies to sew all -the quilts which would be displayed in the show. - -No, indeed! Instead, she proposed that the girls borrow from their -acquaintances as many different types as they could. - -“I can bring my mother’s album quilt!” Rosemary offered eagerly. - -“I know where I can get a beautiful orange and yellow one,” added -Connie. “It’s called the ‘Sunburst’ pattern and is out of this world!” - -The girls chattered excitedly, discussing where they could obtain -quilts to display in the Brownie show. Veve, however, was more -interested in the advertisement page of the _Rosedale Herald_. - -Suddenly she uttered a squeal of delight. “Say, I’ve found it! This ad -is just the thing!” - -“Oh, who wants to be a baby sitter?” scoffed Eileen. “Having a quilt -show will be more fun.” - -“Who’s talking about being an old baby sitter?” Veve thrust the -newspaper page under the other girl’s eyes. “This is a chance to make -real money!” - -“Doing what?” demanded Sunny skeptically. - -“Picking cherries.” - -Veve’s announcement took the Brownies so by surprise that they stopped -eating cookies. - -“Where?” questioned Connie. Although she intended to remain loyal to -Miss Gordon and the quilt show, she couldn’t help being interested. - -“Just read the ad!” Veve had jumped up from the rug and was prancing -around the room like a frisky steed. - -“How can anyone read it with you hopping up and down?” Eileen demanded. -“Hold still a minute!” - -As Veve quieted down, the Brownies crowded around to see the -advertisement for themselves. - -It read: “Cherry Pickers Wanted Immediately. Two Cents a Pound. Apply -Wingate Farm, Rt. 1, Clove Rd.” - -“Two cents a pound!” Veve chortled. “I bet I could pick a hundred -pounds in just a few minutes.” - -“Like fun you could,” scoffed Jane Tuttle. “Where is Clove Road anyhow?” - -“Just at the edge of town,” supplied Connie. “I’ve seen the Wingate -Farm too. We drove past it one Sunday afternoon when the cherries were -in bloom. Oh, the orchard was pretty then!” - -“Cherry picking might not be so bad,” spoke up Sunny Davidson. “And we -could earn money fast.” - -Miss Gordon waited until the Brownies had talked about the matter for a -while. Then she said: - -“Girls, not for anything would I discourage you in any of your plans. -However, I think cherry picking might be very hard work. Perhaps more -tiring than sewing quilt blocks.” - -“It would be exciting though,” Veve cut in quickly. “We’d earn a lot of -money too for our troop.” - -“I’m a little afraid the advertisement may have been intended for -grownups,” the Brownie Scout leader went on. - -“You mean they wouldn’t take children as pickers?” Veve asked, her -disappointment keen. “Why, we’d be good at it.” - -“I’m sure you would, dear. It’s possible they’d take Brownies, but--” - -“Then why don’t we do it?” Veve broke in before the teacher could -finish. She was eager to have the matter decided at once. - -“We really know nothing about Wingate Farm--” - -“I’ll find out!” Veve offered. “As soon as the Brownie meeting is over, -I’ll ride out there on the bus and talk to the man in charge.” - -Miss Gordon smiled at her enthusiasm. - -“I suppose it will do no harm to investigate,” she admitted. “But you -mustn’t go alone or without your mother’s consent.” - -“I’ll telephone her.” - -Veve’s mother worked in a downtown office. However, the little girl -knew how to reach her. - -The Brownies talked about the matter for quite a while. - -“Why don’t we appoint Veve and Connie to find out all about it?” -Rosemary proposed, winding up the discussion. “That is, if their -mothers will let them go.” - -“That’s what I think too,” chimed in Sunny. - -So the decision was reached that the two girls, after obtaining -permission, should make the trip to Wingate Farm that very afternoon. - -Upon their return they were to report to Miss Gordon, who would notify -the other Brownies. - -“We’ll have to work fast to get the job,” Veve said anxiously. “I -imagine a lot of people may have read the advertisement.” - -The meeting now broke up with all the girls singing the Brownie -organization song. - -Immediately afterwards, Veve telephoned her mother to ask if she might -go to the orchard. The distance by bus was not far. - -“Why, yes, if Connie is going with you,” Mrs. McGuire consented after -hearing the plan. “But don’t stay late.” - -Meanwhile, Connie had gone to the kitchen to talk to her mother. - -Mrs. Williams was quite busy washing dishes the Brownies had used for -their refreshments. - -“If only I had the car this afternoon, I gladly would drive you out to -the orchard,” she told her daughter. “How far is it, dear?” - -“Oh, not far,” Connie assured her. “Veve and I don’t mind a bit going -by bus. We’ll be back long before dark.” - -“If you can wait until tomorrow, I’ll have the car.” - -“We don’t dare wait, Mother. If we do, other folks will get the job -instead of our Brownie organization.” - -Mrs. Williams knew that this might be true. So after thinking a moment, -she said Connie might go. - -The two girls wore their Brownie beanies and put on light coats over -their brown pinchecked uniforms. Mrs. Williams gave Connie enough bus -fare for both girls. - -Veve frequently took a bus downtown and knew which one they must catch -to reach the outskirts of Rosedale. - -“It’s marked ‘Crosstown,’” she told Connie. “I don’t think the bus runs -very often though. We’ll have to watch sharp or we may miss it.” - -In about ten minutes along came a yellow bus which had “Crosstown” -printed on a card in the front window. - -When it stopped at the curb, Veve and Connie climbed aboard. They -dropped their fare into the box. - -Then, just to make certain they were going the right direction, Veve -said to the driver: - -“This bus goes to Wingate Farm, doesn’t it?” - -“Where’s Wingate Farm?” he asked. By this time the bus was moving. - -“It’s on Clove Road,” shouted Connie. She had to yell to make herself -heard above the roar of the big motor and the clash of gears. - -“Clove Road?” The bus driver shook his head. “This bus only goes to the -city line. Clove Road’s a half mile beyond.” - -Connie and Veve were aghast. - -“Then we’re on the wrong bus!” Connie exclaimed. - -“You can transfer at the city line,” the driver said, stopping for a -traffic light. “You’ll have a twenty minute wait. Board a Fulton bus -and it will take you directly to Wingate Farm. Coming back you may be -able to catch a Rosedale bus which will eliminate the twenty minute -wait. Got it?” - -Connie and Veve weren’t at all certain that they understood. - -So they asked the driver to say it over once more. To make sure she -wouldn’t forget, Connie then wrote it down on paper. - -“If we have to wait twenty minutes each way, we may be late getting -home,” she said anxiously as they took seats. - -“Oh, we can hurry after we get to Wingate orchard,” Veve replied. She -was not in the least worried. - -The nearly empty bus whizzed along at a fast clip. - -Soon it had arrived at the city line and the end of the run. The -friendly bus driver told the girls it was time to get off. - -“Don’t forget,” he directed them. “The Fulton bus stops across the -street. It should come along in twenty minutes. Don’t miss it, because -after it leaves, another isn’t due for a long while.” - -“We won’t miss it,” laughed Veve. “A Brownie Scout always is punctual.” - -“Some Brownies are,” Connie corrected with a laugh. - -She was thinking that upon more than one occasion Veve had been tardy -for Brownie meetings. Once too, when the troop was on its way to Snow -Valley, she had nearly missed the train. - -However, Connie was not really worried about catching the bus. - -The girls alighted and stretched their legs a bit. - -“We have lots of time to look around,” Veve remarked. “Twenty whole -minutes.” - -They gazed into a drugstore window before crossing the street to the -other bus stop. - -“Let’s get a dish of ice cream,” Veve proposed. “One with nuts and -whipped cream on it.” - -This suggestion Connie promptly turned down. - -“Why, Veve, you greedy girl! Didn’t you have milk and cookies at the -meeting?” - -“Yes, but that was a long time ago. I’m hungry.” - -“You’re always hungry,” Connie accused. “We might miss our bus if we -don’t stay right here.” - -“Oh, all right.” Reluctantly, Veve gave up the idea. “It will be -tiresome waiting, though.” - -The girls seated themselves at the curb, watching cars whiz past. - -After a while, Connie arose and sauntered a short distance down the -walk. She tried stepping over each crack. It seemed to make the time -pass faster. The little girl had counted twelve cracks when she paused -near a large white house. Something in the back yard drew and held her -attention. - -“Look, Veve!” she exclaimed. - -On a clothes line hung a freshly washed green and white patterned quilt. - -“Oh, isn’t it a dream!” she exclaimed. - -“It’s as nice as any of those pictures Miss Gordon showed us,” Veve -agreed, joining her friend. - -“Wouldn’t it look beautiful in that show we’re going to have?” - -“Grand, Connie. Let’s ask if we may have it!” - -“Oh, no, Veve.” - -“Why not?” - -“We don’t know who owns it for one thing.” - -“Well, it won’t take long to find out. Come on!” Veve seized Connie’s -hand, pulling her a few steps along the sidewalk. - -“We might miss our bus, Veve.” - -“Oh, we have plenty of time. Anyway, it will take only a jiffy.” - -Against her will, Connie allowed herself to be led along. - -Pausing only a moment to admire the green and white quilt, the girls -went directly to the door and rapped. A long while elapsed before they -heard footsteps. - -Meanwhile, Connie kept her eyes on the bus stop. - -Finally, a pleasant-faced woman in a blue house dress came to the door. -She smiled in a very friendly way when she saw the girls, for she -recognized their Brownie uniforms. - -“Well, I declare! Brownies!” she greeted them. “I’ll venture you’re -selling cookies.” - -“Oh, no,” Connie said breathlessly. “We saw your quilt on the line. -It’s very beautiful.” - -“The green and white one?” the woman asked, pleased that the girls -had noticed it. “My mother made that particular one. It’s called the -‘Sawtooth’ pattern.” - -“We were wondering--” Connie became a trifle ill at ease, then went -quickly on, “--you see, our Brownie Troop is planning a quilt show. -Miss Gordon--she’s our leader--asked each Brownie to get as many quilts -as possible to display. So we thought--” - -“We thought you might be willing to let us have your quilt--just for -the show, that is,” Veve cut in quickly. “We will have to have your -answer right away.” - -“Right away?” the lady repeated. “Dear me, you have taken me so by -surprise. I suppose you might have the quilt if I were certain it would -be returned in good condition.” - -“Oh, thank you,” Connie said gratefully. “We can’t take the quilt now, -but we’ll come back later for it.” - -“Dear me, you _are_ in a hurry,” observed the lady. “You haven’t even -told me your names or the troop to which you belong.” - -Connie supplied the information, all the while keeping her eye on the -bus stop. It seemed to her that twenty minutes must be nearly up. - -“My name is Mrs. Grayson,” said the nice lady. “I have several other -quilts, though none quite as nice as the ‘Sawtooth.’ But I do have -something you should see!” - -“What is that?” asked Veve. - -“An old woven coverlet. It is blue and white and shows the face of -George Washington.” - -“The first president of the United States!” exclaimed Connie in awe. - -“Yes, the coverlet is an historical treasure. It is in perfect -condition. You really should have it for your exhibit as it is much -nicer than the Sawtooth quilt.” - -“And may we?” Connie asked eagerly. - -“We’ll see,” promised Mrs. Grayson. “Before we decide, I’ll show it to -you.” - -By this time both Connie and Veve were becoming uneasy about how fast -time was slipping away. - -“We have to catch a bus,” Connie explained regretfully. “Please, may we -come back tomorrow to see the coverlet?” - -“Of course. What bus are you taking?” - -“The Fulton,” Connie replied. “It’s due here almost any minute.” - -“It’s more than due!” broke in Veve shrilly. “_It’s coming!_” - -With a little squeal of dismay, she seized Connie’s hand. Not even -taking time to say good-bye to Mrs. Grayson, they made a dash for it. - -Already the bus had pulled up at its regular stop. Only two passengers -alighted and not a single one got on. - -“Hey, the driver’s not going to wait!” Veve cried in panic. “He hasn’t -seen us!” - -“Wait!” shrieked Connie. “Wait for us!” - -Both girls were running as fast as they could and waving their arms. - -The bus driver, however, did not see them. Already several minutes -behind schedule, he slammed the door, and drove away. - -For an instant, Connie and Veve were too stunned to say a word. - -They gazed down the road at the fast disappearing bus, and then looked -at each other. - -“Brownies always are so punctual,” Connie said at length. “Oh, sure!” - -“It wasn’t anyone’s fault,” Veve replied in a subdued voice. “It--it -just happened.” - -“And now we’re stranded here.” Connie sounded a bit frightened, as -indeed she was. “The driver told us another bus wouldn’t be along for a -long time. Now what are we going to do?” - - - - -CHAPTER 2 - -Cherry Pickers Wanted - - -Quilts and coverlets no longer seemed important to Veve and Connie as -they realized that they were stranded at the bus stop. - -An hour might pass before another Fulton bus came along. How were they -to reach the cherry orchard? - -“We never should have gone to that lady’s house to see the quilt,” -Connie said, self-accusingly. “Oh, dear!” - -“It wasn’t your fault,” Veve replied. “I made you go.” - -“At any rate, the bus is gone, and we’re not on it. What shall we do?” - -Veve had no answer. - -However, Mrs. Grayson had been watching the two girls from her front -porch. Of course she knew that they had missed their bus. Still wearing -a kitchen apron, she came down the sidewalk toward them. - -“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said. “Were you traveling far?” - -“To Wingate Farm,” Veve supplied. She had to sniff very hard to keep -from crying. - -“Why, that’s not far,” declared Mrs. Grayson. “I know! I’ll get the car -out of the garage and drive you there.” - -At this unexpected proposal, Veve and Connie instantly perked up. - -“Oh, _will_ you take us?” Connie asked, all dimples. “Won’t it make you -too much trouble?” - -“Not in the least. Wait here, and I’ll soon pick you up.” - -Mrs. Grayson re-entered her own home to change from her apron. Less -than five minutes later she came outdoors again, this time wearing a -hat and a light tan coat. - -“Here we are,” she said, bringing her coupé to a standstill beside the -curb. - -Connie slid in beside Mrs. Grayson, while Veve sat on the outside. On -the way to Wingate Farm, the girls chatted gaily, telling about their -Brownie Troop and the quilt show which was planned. - -Veve told her too about the exciting times the Brownies had enjoyed the -previous year--at Snow Valley, and later with the circus folk. Both of -these stories are related in the volumes, “The Brownie Scouts at Snow -Valley,” and “The Brownie Scouts in the Circus.” - -“I was the youngest Brownie to be ’nitiated,” Veve explained proudly. -“Miss Gordon says I make more trouble than all the others put together. -That’s because I’m always thinking up things to do.” - -“Veve once was carried away on a sled hooked to an automobile,” Connie -revealed. “Then another time, she crawled into a circus car and--” - -“Never mind that,” broke in Veve. “I’m grown up now. Was it my fault we -missed the bus?” - -“No, it wasn’t,” Connie admitted. “Anyway, it’s much nicer riding with -Mrs. Grayson.” - -The girls began to talk of quilts once more. Mrs. Grayson told them -that there were some which had political or patriotic names such as the -Union Calico quilt, the Yankee Puzzle and the Confederate Rose. - -“And do you have samples of them?” Connie asked eagerly. She hoped, of -course, that the unusual quilts might be obtained for the Brownie quilt -show. - -“The only quilt of quality I have is the one you saw,” the woman -replied. “And then, the woven Washington coverlet.” - -“May we have them both for our Brownie display?” Connie asked the -question before Veve could frame the same one. - -“Yes, I think I can promise you the quilt and the coverlet,” Mrs. -Grayson replied. - -Veve sat very still for a moment. She was glad that Connie had obtained -both a quilt and a coverlet for the show. All the same, she wished she -had thought of asking for them first. - -Mrs. Grayson had slowed the car to peer at mailboxes along the road. -The name, Carl Wingate, had been painted on one of them. - -“Here we are,” the lady announced. “Wingate Farm.” - -All along the road the cherry trees were so loaded with scarlet fruit -that the boughs hung almost on the ground. The girls had never seen a -more beautiful sight. - -“Are you sure you’ll be all right now?” Mrs. Grayson asked, opening the -car door. “Oh, yes,” Connie assured her. “Thank you for the ride and -the quilt.” - -Scarcely noticing as Mrs. Grayson drove on, the girls gazed up and down -the road. On either side, as far as could be seen, stretched row upon -row of cherry trees. - -“It looks like a sea of red,” Veve declared in awe. “There must be -millions and millions of pounds of cherries here! Don’t you wish we -could pick them all?” - -“Every single one!” laughed Connie. - -Both girls were now in high good humor, thinking of the money they and -the other Brownies would make for the troop. Unfastening the gate, they -walked between rows of cherry trees, up a winding driveway toward the -house. - -When the two girls were half-way up to the dwelling, they heard someone -speaking in a loud, angry voice. At first they could not guess who -might be talking, for they could not see the speaker. - -But his voice reached them very clearly. - -“Juan, you’re a lazy, no-good!” the man shouted. “Three times today -I’ve told you not to bruise the fruit in stripping it! But do you pay -attention? Not the slightest. Either you’ll take orders, or quit the -orchard. Savey?” - -“_Si, Senor_,” came the muttered reply. - -“Now get back to your picking,” the man snapped. - -Veve and Connie had rounded a bend in the road and now were able to see -the two speakers. The man, who wore a rough checkered shirt and large -straw hat, was short and fat. His sunburned face twisted into hard -lines as he talked. - -The one he addressed appeared to be a Mexican lad, no older than 10 or -12 years of age. Juan was dressed in ragged grayish-white trousers and -shirt. He too wore a straw hat to protect himself from the sun, but was -barefoot. - -The boy scooted off with his empty cherry pail as the girls approached. -Rather nervously, Connie and Veve spoke to the man, who eyed them in a -most unfriendly way. - -“We’re looking for Mr. Wingate,” said Connie politely. - -“Well?” the man demanded. - -“Can you tell us where to find him?” - -“I am Wingate. What d’you want? Be brief, because I’ve got work to do.” - -Connie and Veve gazed at each other in dismay. From the very first -moment, they had disliked this man because of his rough way of -speaking. And now he proved to be Mr. Wingate, the man for whom they -expected to work! - -“Well, what d’you want?” the owner of the orchard repeated. He fast was -losing patience. “Out with it!” - -“Please--” Connie swallowed twice and struggled on. “We would like a -job picking cherries.” - -“Not just us,” Veve amended quickly. “All of the Brownies.” - -“The Brownies?” Mr. Wingate demanded. “Who are they? Fairies?” - -“Oh, no!” Connie corrected. “We’re an organization. Our troop motto is: -‘Lend A Hand.’ That’s what we want to do here at your cherry orchard.” - -“For pay, that is,” added Veve. She was afraid Mr. Wingate might get -the wrong idea. - -“I hire only experienced pickers,” the orchard owner said. “Can’t use -kids.” - -“But we heard you talking to a little boy,” Veve reminded him. - -“Sure, but he’s one of the Mexicans. I use a crew of ’em--professional -pickers. A stupid lot too!” - -“Don’t you need any more pickers?” Connie persisted. - -“I need experienced pickers, sure. My fruit is ripening fast and if I -don’t get it marketed, I’ll lose a nice profit.” - -“Then may we have the job?” Veve asked hopefully. She did not like Mr. -Wingate, but she thought he might be nicer to the Brownies than to Juan. - -“Listen!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once! I hire only experienced -pickers. I can’t be bothered with a bunch of fairies--” - -“Brownies,” said Connie, flushing. “And we _are_ dependable. Ask Miss -Gordon.” - -“Run along,” Mr. Wingate ordered. “I have work to do and you’re -bothering me.” - -Thus dismissed, Veve and Connie dejectedly walked back to the main -road. After all their hopes and plans, they were not to be allowed to -pick cherries. It was very discouraging. - -“Never mind, Veve,” her friend said to cheer her. “We’ll make money -when we sell the crazy quilt.” - -“But it would have been more fun to have picked cherries.” - -“I don’t think it would have been very nice working for Mr. Wingate, -Veve. He talked so ugly to that little Mexican boy. Miss Gordon never -would have wanted us to work for him.” - -“And he was fussy about the way the cherries were picked,” Veve agreed. -“I guess it wouldn’t have been much fun.” - -Arm in arm, the girls walked up the road, looking for a bus stop. They -were becoming tired now, and wished that Mrs. Grayson had waited for -them. Evidently, she had driven on home, for her coupé was nowhere to -be seen. - -“I’m thirsty,” Veve said presently. “I wish I had a drink of water. Or -maybe a handful of those cherries.” - -Thoughtfully she gazed toward a tree whose heavily laden branch hung -over the fence. - -“Oh, no you don’t!” said Connie, reading her mind. “Those cherries -belong to Mr. Wingate. Not to us. We’re not taking a single one.” - -“Who wants any of _his_ stupid old fruit? Anyway, I think the trees on -the other side of the road have larger and riper cherries.” - -“We’re not taking any of those either, Veve McGuire!” - -“Oh, I’m not swiping anything,” Veve retorted. “But it doesn’t do any -harm to think how nice those juicy cherries would taste. SAY--” - -The last was uttered in a loud voice, for the little girl had noticed a -painted sign on the fence to the left. - -In large red letters it read: “Pickers Wanted.” - -“That’s us!” exclaimed Veve. “We’ll get a job for the Brownies yet!” - -Connie, however, was less enthusiastic. She pointed out that very -likely if they applied, they would be turned down again. - -“Well, it won’t hurt to try,” Veve insisted. - -“We may miss our bus again.” - -“We’ll get home somehow,” Veve waved aside the objection. “Don’t you -want a job, Connie?” - -“’Course I do. Only I didn’t like Mr. Wingate.” - -“But this is across the road, so it can’t be his orchard. The gate’s -just ahead. Let’s go in, Connie. I’ll do the talking this time.” - -The barrier had been securely fastened with a chain. The girls could -not open it. However, they climbed over and started up the gravel -driveway. - -Cherry trees were everywhere, fairly dripping red treasure. Under many -of the boughs, fruit had fallen to the ground. - -A few ladders stood against the low, well-pruned trees. Back in the -orchard only a few pickers could be seen. - -In vain the girls looked about for a dwelling. Where a house once had -stood there now was only a gaping, burned-out hole. - -“Why, the place is all gone except its foundation!” Veve exclaimed. -“The house must have burned a long while ago, and never was rebuilt.” - -The only building to be seen was a long, low shed in which cherries -were sorted and packed for market. - -Stepping to the open doorway, the girls peered inside. - -A bent old man, his back toward them, busily packed cherries into a big -box. He whirled around upon hearing footsteps. And a shaggy white dog -that had been dozing in a corner, sprang up with a warning snarl. - -Startled, Veve and Connie retreated. - -“Down, Cap!” the old man ordered the animal. To the girls he said: -“Don’t be afraid. He won’t bite you or anyone else. I keep him on the -place to frighten off intruders. His bark, though, is all bluff.” - -Thus reassured, Veve and Connie stood their ground. They rather liked -the old man who looked like a farmer in blue overalls and white shirt. -His face was friendly and his eyes twinkled as he studied them. - -“I’m Pa Hooper,” he introduced himself. “What may I do for you young -ladies?” - -Now this made Connie and Veve feel quite at ease. And even Cap tried to -show them that they were welcome, for he came sniffing at their heels. - -“We saw your sign,” Veve said, going directly to the point. “We would -like a job picking cherries.” - -As Mr. Hooper kept studying her, not saying a word, she told him about -the Brownie organization. And Connie added that Mr. Wingate next door -had sent them away most rudely. - -“We may not be experienced pickers, but we can learn,” she declared. -“Just give us a chance and we’ll prove what Brownies can do.” - -Pa Hooper was greatly impressed with the direct approach of the two -little girls. - -He told them he very much needed pickers because some of the larger -orchards had hired most of the Mexican pickers. - -Unless his fruit could be harvested quickly, he might lose a large -portion of it. - -“Then are we hired?” Veve questioned. - -Still Mr. Hooper hesitated. - -“I scarcely know what to say,” he told her kindly. “Cherry picking -isn’t as easy as it looks. You might fall from a ladder and hurt -yourself. In that case, I’d be liable.” - -“Brownies are taught to be careful,” Veve assured him. “You wouldn’t -catch us falling off a ladder!” - -Pa Hooper chuckled. “I pay a cent and a half a pound for stripping,” he -explained. “That’s not as good a rate as some of the orchards offer. It -takes a lot of cherries to weigh a pound.” - -“We won’t mind,” Connie said. “Please, Mr. Hooper, let us try! The -trees aren’t high, and you could let us pick the lower branches.” - -The orchard owner thought a moment. Then he said: - -“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Suppose I test you with a half hour’s -picking? If you do well, and think you would like the work, then I -might hire all the Brownies. How many are there of you?” - -“Six, not counting Miss Gordon,” supplied Veve. “Where do we start?” - -Mr. Hooper said he would show the girls as soon as he had finished -packing another lug. - -The box was a fancy one, filled with especially large cherries. - -Other boxes in the shed were “jumble” pack. This, Mr. Hooper explained, -meant that the fruit was not placed in any particular order. - -After he had finished sorting cherries for the fancy box, the orchard -owner told the girls to follow him. - -Mr. Hooper led them to a low-hanging tree near the roadway. Two short -ladders already were in place. - -The orchard owner showed the girls how to strip cherries rapidly from -the trees. - -Even if a few stems fell into the pail, it would not matter, he said. -Once the cherries reached the canning factory, they would be washed and -stemmed. - -“I’ll be back here in half an hour,” Mr. Hooper said. He handed each -girl a tall tin bucket. “Just be careful. Don’t climb more than a few -steps on the ladders.” - -Veve and Connie mounted separate ladders. At first they went up only -three steps. It was easy to reach the fruit. - -“Let’s have a race,” Veve proposed. “I can pick more cherries than you, -Connie!” - -Both girls stripped as fast as they could. But try as they would, they -could not make the fruit fall into the pail as fast as Mr. Hooper had -done. - -When Connie’s bucket was half filled, she began to feel a little tired. - -“It’s getting late,” she remarked uneasily. “I wish Mr. Hooper would -come back.” - -The girls had seen one Rosedale bus pass the orchard, and they knew -another soon would be due. - -Unless they started for home very shortly they were afraid their -parents would worry. - -“Oh, here comes Mr. Hooper now,” Veve announced a little later. She -felt very much relieved. - -“We’ve picked a lot of cherries,” Connie said proudly. “Do you suppose -he’ll think we have done all right?” - -Veve nodded and stretched her cramped arms. - -For a moment she stood quite still on the fifth step of the ladder. -From her perch, she could gaze directly across the roadway into the -Wingate orchard. - -Apparently, something the little girl saw there startled her. - -At any rate, she twisted around to obtain a better view. - -Now in doing so, Veve’s right arm came sharply against the half-filled -pail of cherries. It teetered and started to fall. - -Frantically, the little girl clutched to save the bucket. - -But her hand missed. Down clattered the tin pail, spilling cherries in -every direction! - -Nor was that the extent of the disaster. In working convulsively to -save the precious fruit, Veve had thrown the ladder off balance. - -For a moment it wobbled and swayed. - -Then, as she uttered a wild yell, it slipped sideways, hurling her to -the ground. - - - - -CHAPTER 3 - -Over the Fence - - -“Are you hurt, Veve?” - -Connie scrambled down from her own ladder to help her little friend up -from the ground. - -Veve brushed dirt from her Brownie uniform and picked up the beanie -which had fallen from her head. Ruefully she gazed at the spilled -cherries. Scarcely a handful remained in the tin bucket. - -“Oh, I’m all right,” she muttered, rubbing an elbow. “But see what -happened! Now Mr. Hooper won’t want the Brownies to pick in his -orchard.” - -Even as she spoke, the orchard owner hurried up, Cap barking at his -heels. - -From a distance, he had seen Veve tumble from the ladder. He was afraid -she might have been injured. - -“Didn’t I warn you to be careful?” he asked a trifle crossly. “If you -had broken an arm--” - -“You don’t have to be liable for my fall,” Veve assured him. “I’m not -hurt a bit.” - -Hurriedly she began to pick up the scattered cherries. - -“We tried so hard,” Connie said. She felt quite crushed by the -disaster. “I--I guess we aren’t very good pickers.” - -Pa Hooper patted her shoulder. “You’ve done well for the first time,” -he said, peering into her pail. “It was just an accident. They will -happen sometimes, despite precautions.” - -“Then you think we’re good enough to get the job for the Brownies?” -Veve demanded. Pa Hooper’s words had revived her hope. - -Before the orchard owner could reply, Cap gave a little yip to attract -attention. Then he sat up and begged, waving his two front paws. - -Veve and Connie had to laugh. Cap looked very cute, and seemed to be -coaxing his master into saying that the girls might have the cherry -picking job. - -“So you think I should, eh, Cap?” chuckled Pa Hooper. “That does it, -old boy. We’ll hire the Brownies! The entire troop!” - -“Whoopee!” shouted Veve. She capered around so madly she nearly upset -Connie’s pail of cherries. - -“Careful now,” warned Pa Hooper, rather sternly. “Cherry picking is -serious business. If you work here you’ll have to obey orders and not -act the fool. Furthermore, you’ll have to use the short ladders. I -can’t risk having you fall from the top of a tree.” - -“We’ll do exactly as you say,” Veve promised. Because she couldn’t curb -her high spirits, she broke into a snatch of a Brownie song: - - “We snip and paste and hammer too, - To aid folks young and old. - And after all our work and play, - A story we will tell. - Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! - The Brownies are with you to stay!” - -“I hope the Brownies do stay and prove to be good pickers,” Mr. Hooper -said, sighing. “I’ve had plenty of trouble with the crop this season.” - -“What sort of trouble, Mr. Hooper?” inquired Connie. - -“Well, as I said, the larger orchard owners have hired nearly all -of the professional pickers. I’m supposed to have a crew coming in -tomorrow, but they may fail me. And my fruit is ripening fast.” - -Mr. Hooper gazed thoughtfully up into a cherry tree as he spoke. The -fruit nearly all was bright red and so plump it looked as if it might -burst. - -The orchard owner took Connie’s pail of cherries to the shed for -weighing. - -“You’ve picked four pounds,” he said. “That’s six cents. After you’ve -practiced awhile, you’ll find you can strip the trees three times as -fast.” - -Pa Hooper told the girls that a professional picker usually made from -six to ten dollars a day. The Brownies, of course, never could hope to -earn that much. - -Instead of paying Connie for the cherries she had picked, Mr. Hooper -wrote her name on a card and the amount that was due. - -“This is your account,” he said. “If you’re a good picker and stick to -it, the sum should grow and grow like Jack’s beanstalk.” - -Then and there, both Connie and Veve made up their minds to be the -fastest pickers in the Rosedale Brownie troop. They scarcely could wait -to return home to relate their good news! - -“Be at the orchard early in the morning if you want to get a good -start,” Mr. Hooper urged. “At least by seven o’clock.” - -Now, as a rule, Connie and Veve scarcely had their breakfasts by that -hour. You may be sure, though, that they didn’t tell the orchard owner. -Instead, they merely nodded and promised to be on hand. - -The girls felt quite happy as they trudged to the bus stop. Their arms -ached from such fast picking, and Veve had several cherry juice stains -on her pinchecked dress. But they were pleased to have obtained a -promise of work. - -“We should make a lot of money for the troop,” Veve declared as they -waited for their bus. - -“What if Miss Gordon shouldn’t let us pick?” Connie asked anxiously. -“After all, she only told us to find out about the job. Not to take it.” - -“And it will be hard getting the Brownies to the orchard by seven -o’clock,” Veve added. - -“Mr. Hooper really needs our help though. If he doesn’t get pickers -soon, his crop will be lost. When the Brownies hear about that, I’m -sure they’ll want to pitch in.” - -“Sure, they will,” Veve agreed confidently. “If they don’t, we’ll make -’em!” - -The arrival of a city-bound bus brought the talk to an end. During -the ride into Rosedale, Veve had little to say. After awhile, Connie -noticed her companion’s unusual silence. - -“What’s the matter with you anyhow, Veve?” she demanded. “Tired?” - -“Not very.” - -“Then what is wrong?” - -“Nothing,” Veve said in a tone which meant just the opposite. - -“Aren’t you glad we got the job?” - -“Of course! Only--” - -“Only what, Veve?” - -“Well, I was wondering if Mr. Hooper will treat the Brownies right.” - -“Treat them right?” Connie couldn’t understand what Veve meant. “Why, -he agreed to pay a cent and a half a pound. That must be a fair price, -even if some of the larger orchards pay two cents.” - -“Oh, I didn’t mean money, Connie. I was wondering if Mr. Hooper will -beat the Brownies if they make mistakes.” - -“Beat them! Whoever heard of such a thing! He wouldn’t dare!” - -“Well, he might.” - -Connie stared at her little friend, who now was etching a face on the -dusty bus window. - -“What ails you, Veve?” she asked. “Didn’t you like Mr. Hooper?” - -“’Course, I did.” - -“Then what put such a thought into your head? He wouldn’t hurt anyone.” - -“Maybe not,” Veve admitted, “but some of the orchard owners beat their -pickers.” - -Connie had become a bit annoyed. She was quite certain Veve had no -reason for making such remarks. - -“How do you know?” she demanded. - -“Because I _saw_ it.” - -“You _saw_ it?” Connie echoed in disbelief. “Well, I didn’t. And I’ve -been with you every minute this afternoon.” - -Veve smoothed wrinkles from her skirt. “I saw it from the tree,” she -revealed. “That was what made me fall. I was so startled.” - -“You must have been looking over into Carl Wingate’s orchard. What did -you see, Veve?” - -“Mr. Wingate struck Juan with a stick, Connie. I saw it plainly. He hit -him hard too.” - -The information worried Connie, even though she knew the Brownies -never would pick cherries in the Wingate orchard. - -“Mr. Wingate is a cruel man,” she declared. “I’m surprised that the -Mexicans pick for him even if he does pay two cents a pound instead of -only a cent and a half.” - -“You see now why I fell out of the tree,” Veve defended herself. “I -wasn’t awkward. You’d have tumbled too if you’d seen what I did!” - -Connie told her little friend that she thought it would be wise not to -alarm the Brownies by repeating the story. If they heard about Juan -being whipped, they might refuse to pick for Pa Hooper. - -“And he isn’t in the least like Carl Wingate,” she declared. - -The bus now had reached a familiar street. Veve and Connie alighted to -walk to their homes. However, because they were in such haste to tell -Miss Gordon the good news, they stopped at a drugstore to telephone her. - -Pa Hooper’s offer surprised the Brownie leader very much. At first, -she hesitated and declared she hardly knew what to say about the girls -taking on the picking job. - -“Mr. Hooper really needs our help,” Veve urged. “And think how much -money we will make for the troop.” - -Finally, the Brownie leader gave her consent. She said she would -telephone each girl personally. If parents were willing, the troop -would meet at Miss Gordon’s home the next morning at six-thirty sharp. -From there they would drive in the Brownie leader’s car to the cherry -orchard. - -“Be sure to wear old clothing,” she warned Veve and Connie. “Cherry -picking could be very hard on Brownie uniforms.” - -The two girls were jubilant as they hung up the receiver. If Miss -Gordon called the other Brownies, the cherry picking job was assured! - -“We’ll have a lot of fun at Mr. Hooper’s orchard,” Connie declared -gaily. “I like him so much.” - -“He’s a queer one though.” - -“Queer?” Connie considered Veve’s remark most strange. - -“He must be a hermit or a miser or something, living all alone at the -orchard.” - -“How do you know he does, Veve?” - -“He sleeps in the packing shed.” Veve was proud that she had made the -observation. “I saw his cot in one corner of the room. He had an -electric plate too where he cooks his food.” - -“Well, I suppose he has to stay there, because he has no house.” - -“That’s another strange thing, Connie. His home must have burned down a -long time ago. Why didn’t he rebuild it?” - -“Maybe he didn’t have the money. Or perhaps he just didn’t want to.” - -Veve had been reading mystery books and considered Connie’s explanation -entirely too matter-of-fact. - -“That isn’t it at all,” she insisted. “Mr. Hooper must have a special -reason for not rebuilding his house. While we’re picking cherries at -his orchard, I intend to learn all about it!” - - - - -CHAPTER 4 - -“Tail-ender” - - -At six-thirty the next morning, six sleepy-eyed Brownies were at Miss -Gordon’s home, ready to drive to the cherry orchard. - -Eileen was the last to arrive. Usually she did not arise until eight -o’clock and so felt a little cross. - -“I don’t see why we have to get up so early,” she grumbled. - -All the girls wore blue jeans instead of dresses, for Miss Gordon had -warned them that frocks might be ruined by fruit stains. The Brownie -leader had packed enough lunch for everyone, and had filled a thermos -jug with hot chocolate. - -“All aboard for Pa Hooper’s orchard!” she called, herding the girls -into her car. “Time to get started if we’re to arrive there by seven -o’clock.” - -During the ride to the orchard, the Brownies asked Veve and Connie -dozens of questions about the work they were to do. Everyone except -Eileen thought it would be great fun. - -When Miss Gordon was less than a half mile from Pa Hooper’s place, her -car was passed by a truck. Mexican workers were leaning over the high -sideboards. Seeing the Brownies, they laughed and shouted, and waved -their hands. - -“They must be pickers for the Wingate place,” Connie declared. She had -glimpsed Juan, the little Mexican boy, among the group. - -A few minutes later, the Brownies saw the truck turn in at the orchard. - -Miss Gordon drove her own car into Pa Hooper’s place. As the girls -tumbled out, they noticed only a few persons picking cherries some -distance from the packing shed. - -“Well, you did come after all!” Pa Hooper exclaimed, walking over to -the group. “I need pickers. Ready to start in?” - -“Oh, yes!” Veve agreed. “We want to earn a lot of money.” - -The orchard owner laughed and said that would depend entirely upon how -steadily the girls kept at their picking. - -“It’s easy the first hour,” he declared. “After that--well, we’ll see -how you hold up.” - -Then and there the Brownies made up their minds that even though the -job was hard, they would not give up! - -Mr. Hooper led the girls to a group of nearby trees. Each Brownie -received a pail and was shown exactly how to strip a branch. - -“Pick clean and don’t bruise the fruit,” he instructed. “When your pail -is filled, weigh in at the shed.” - -The orchard owner told the girls to strip only the lower tree branches. -He said he could not risk having them fall from the stepladders, and so -would leave the higher picking for older persons. - -After Mr. Hooper had gone to the shed, the Brownies fell to work with -a will. At first the cherries thudded into the tin pails, making a -tinkling sound. Soon the bottoms of the buckets were covered. - -“I have almost two inches of cherries in my pail!” Rosemary called -after a few minutes. - -“Oh, I’m ahead of you,” laughed Jane, who was picking in the next tree. - -Hearing the report, Veve began to strip at a faster rate, for she was -far behind. She had stopped too often to sample a cherry and to look -around. - -Seeing a clump of especially large cherries directly overhead, the -little girl reached for them. Her hand touched something which was -dark-green in color and very slimy. - -With a squeal of dismay, Veve pulled back. The pail of cherries nearly -dropped from her hand. But she managed to save it. - -“O-oh, see this horrid creature on the tree!” she exclaimed. “Ugh! It -gives me the creeps.” - -The other Brownies and Miss Gordon, who were picking close by, came -over to look. - -“Why, it’s only a harmless little slug,” the Brownie Scout leader -laughed. “One frequently finds them amid the foliage.” - -Miss Gordon plucked the leaf which the creature had been eating. Half -of the soft leaf tissue had been nibbled away, leaving ribs and veins -exposed. - -“Orchard owners control slugs by spraying with arsenate of lead,” she -told the girls. “Somehow, this fellow escaped.” - -“I don’t want to pick on this tree any more,” Veve said. - -“’Fraid cat!” teased Sunny Davidson. - -“I am not!” Veve denied. “I just don’t like slugs.” - -The other girls laughed and told her she would have to stick to her own -tree. - -Veve went back to work but she kept looking at the foliage before she -touched it. She did not see another slug. - -When Mr. Hooper presently came to the orchard to see how the Brownies -were doing, Veve remarked that she thought the trees needed spraying. - -“Why, bless you!” the orchard owner chuckled. “Already they’ve been -sprayed four times. I put on one early in the season to control scale -insects. Then I sprayed a second time just before the blossoms opened -up. Since then the trees have had two extra treatments.” - -Veve was amazed that so much work was required to keep the orchard in -good condition. - -“It’s a never-ending battle,” Mr. Hooper sighed. “One has to fight leaf -spot, brown rot and the fruit fly, to mention only a few troubles.” - -After the orchard owner had returned to the shed, the Brownies picked -steadily for a while. - -Then Rosemary shouted that her pail was filled. She was far ahead of -the other girls. - -“My bucket is full too,” announced Miss Gordon. “Come, Rosemary, shall -we be the first to weigh in?” - -Everyone began to pick very fast, not wanting to be a tail-ender. - -Soon Connie was ready to have her fruit weighed. Jane’s pail next was -filled. Both girls were proud to have done so well. - -After that, Eileen and Sunny finished their picking in rapid order. - -“Veve’s the tail-ender!” teased Jane. She whirled around fast and her -jeans caught on a strand of wire attached to the fence. - -As the little girl pulled away, she heard a tearing sound. A long -jagged hole had been torn in the leg of her almost-new jeans. - -“Oh, now see what I’ve done!” she exclaimed. “My knee shows right -through!” - -“That comes from picking so fast,” declared Veve. Actually, Jane had -not been stripping the tree at the moment of the accident. - -Near tears, Jane hastened to the shed to show Miss Gordon the torn -place. Veve followed her, although her pail was not quite filled. - -In the shed, Pa Hooper had just finished weighing in the cherries and -noting down the amount on cards. - -When he saw Veve’s pail, he shook his head. “Only three-quarters -filled?” he asked. “Now, it’s a waste of time to weigh in less than a -full pail.” - -“Mine will be full next time,” Veve assured him. She really meant it -too. - -Miss Gordon told Jane she would sew up the tear in the jeans during the -lunch hour. - -“I have a sewing kit in my car,” she said. “Also a first aid kit. But I -hope and trust we’ll not need the latter.” - -“Will it soon be lunch time?” Rosemary asked. Already she was growing -hungry. - -“Why, we’ve scarcely started to pick,” laughed Miss Gordon. - -After Pa Hooper had weighed all the fruit, the Brownies returned to -their posts. Soon their arms began to ache from reaching up into the -branches. And as the sun rose higher and higher, they became very warm. - -However, the Brownies were good sports and not afraid of hard work. No -one wanted to be the first to complain or quit, so they all kept on. -But everyone, even Miss Gordon, picked at a slower pace. - -Veve became very thirsty. Now and then she would eat a cherry or two. - -“No wonder you can’t keep up with the rest of us,” Connie scolded her. -“You stop so often to eat.” - -Veve knew she deserved the lecture, for she found it hard to keep her -mind on work. She liked to watch the other pickers and to glance now -and then over into the Wingate orchard to see what was going on there. - -By eleven-thirty the Brownies were so hungry they declared they were -nearly famished. They were certain they could not wait another minute -for lunch. - -“We’ll weigh in and open up the hamper,” Miss Gordon decided. “My! I -wonder if I packed enough lunch?” - -All of the Brownies except Veve quickly went to the shed to have their -cherries weighed. - -“Coming, Veve?” asked Miss Gordon. - -“In a minute,” the little girl answered. She did not have many cherries -in her pail and was ashamed to have either the Brownies or Mr. Hooper -see how poorly she had done. - -While the others were in the shed, Veve picked as fast as she could. -Even so, her bucket was not half filled. - -She was still working when the girls trooped out of the shed again. - -“Do come along, Veve!” Miss Gordon called. “We’re having our lunch now.” - -Veve climbed down from the stepladder and walked slowly toward the -shed. The Brownies already were at the car, removing the lunch hamper -and thermos jug. They planned to eat under a shady oak in the front -yard. - -“Hurry up, slow-poke!” Jane shouted. “You won’t get anything to eat if -you don’t.” - -Without going to the shed, Veve covered her pail with a handkerchief, -and joined her friends. - -“Haven’t you weighed in your cherries?” Connie asked her as she helped -to spread a tablecloth under the oak tree. - -“I’ll do it later,” Veve mumbled. She knew Pa Hooper would not accept a -half bucket of cherries. He had told her twice to fill the container to -the brim before bringing it in. - -“It doesn’t matter how many cherries anyone picked,” said Miss Gordon -quickly. “The important thing is we’re doing useful work and earning -money for our troop.” - -“How much have we earned already?” Eileen asked eagerly. - -Miss Gordon said she had not kept accurate account, but she was certain -it amounted to several dollars. - -The morning work had made the girls very hungry. Although the Brownie -leader had prepared two sandwiches for each person, it did not seem -enough. Veve bolted hers in a twinkling and so did Sunny. The -chocolate disappeared equally fast. - -“Oh, dear, I’m still hungry,” moaned Sunny. “I could eat -anything--anything, that is, except cherries.” - -Her remark made Veve think of a little joke. “What’s worse than biting -into a worm?” she asked the Brownies. - -“What could be worse?” demanded Connie. - -“Biting into half a worm!” - -The Brownies did not laugh very hard at Veve’s joke. During the morning -picking, nearly everyone had bitten into at least one worm. It had not -been a pleasant experience. - -“I’m so hungry, I could even go for a worm,” added Veve, just to make -the girls shudder. “Say, whose car is that?” - -She had noticed a familiar blue sedan turning into the driveway. - -“Why, that’s our car!” cried Connie, leaping to her feet. “It’s Mother!” - -Now the Brownies were very surprised and pleased to see Mrs. Williams. -Eagerly, they swarmed about the car. - -“Having fun?” Connie’s mother asked. - -“Oh, yes!” the girls told her. They really were, too. - -Connie had spied two large covered baskets on the back seat of the -automobile. - -“What are in these?” she demanded. - -“Oh, those!” smiled her mother. “I thought the girls might want a -little more lunch. I baked a cake and made potato salad. But if you’ve -already had too much, I can take them home.” - -The Brownies all hooted in protest at such a proposal. - -“You leave those baskets right here!” laughed Connie. - -“I should say so!” echoed Eileen. - -“I could eat an entire cake myself,” added Jane. - -The Brownies carried the baskets to the big oak tree. There, upon the -tablecloth, they spread out an array of delicious looking food. - -Besides cake and salad, Mrs. Williams also had brought cheese and -pickles. - -Veve helped herself to a large piece of cake. - -“I’m thirsty,” she announced when she had finished the last crumb. - -The thermos bottles were empty. Veve thought she would try to find a -pump. - -“There’s one back of the shed,” Miss Gordon told her. “The water, -though, tastes of mineral. You’ll find better water at the spring.” - -“And where is that, Miss Gordon?” - -“Only fifty feet from the entrance gate. Just follow the road.” The -Brownie leader pointed out the direction. - -Not wishing the other girls to see the contents of her cherry pail, -Veve carried it with her. - -After she had trudged a short distance along the dusty road, she found -the spring. A cool stream of water flowed out of a small pipe. - -But someone was there ahead of Veve. - -She saw at once that it was Juan, the little Mexican boy. - -He had been washing his hands under the stream of water piped from the -hillside. One of them seemed to be scratched, for it was bleeding. - -“Why, what’s the matter?” Veve asked anxiously. - -Juan glanced up and grinned, his lips parting to show a double row of -even, white teeth. - -“Nothing, _Senorita_,” he replied. His tone was most polite. - -Veve felt quite grownup to be called a senorita, which she knew was a -Mexican word for “Miss.” It worried her, though, to see that Juan’s -hand had been deeply scratched and bruised. - -“How did you hurt your hand?” she asked. - -“Wingate.” Juan answered briefly. - -Veve was horrified. “You mean he cut you?” she gasped. - -“No, Senorita. He shoved me and I stumbled into the wire fence.” - -“Oh, Juan! How could he be so mean?” - -The Mexican boy shrugged his thin shoulders. “Wingate has an evil -temper. He treats all of his pickers mean--but he hates me worse than -the others. Often he beats me.” - -“I know! I saw him strike you with a stick only yesterday. Why do you -work for him?” - -“The pickers have a contract,” Juan explained. But he added darkly, “We -may break it. _Si!_ If we leave before the fruit is harvested, then he -will be sorry!” - -“I should think so,” agreed Veve soberly. “Juan, wait here! I am going -to get Miss Gordon’s first aid kit and wrap up your hand.” - -She ran to the car for the materials she needed--cotton, gauze, iodine -and tape. Returning to the spring, she dressed the cut as Miss Gordon -had shown the Brownies how to do, and taped on the bandage. - -The finished job did not look too neat, but Juan said it was fine and -made his hand feel better. He seemed very grateful. - -“How do you like stripping cherries?” he inquired. “Does the orchard -owner beat you if you damage the fruit?” - -“Oh, no! Mr. Hooper is very nice. All the Brownies like him.” - -Juan had glanced at Veve’s nearly empty pail. “How many pounds a day -can you pick?” he asked. - -“I’ve filled my bucket almost three times this morning.” - -Juan did not say anything, but from the way he smiled, Veve knew he did -not think she had picked very many cherries. - -“Here,” he said, a moment later. - -Before Veve could prevent it, he picked up his own filled bucket and -dumped cherries into hers until it was ready to overflow. - -“Oh, you shouldn’t have done that!” she exclaimed. “Mr Wingate won’t -like it.” - -“Who cares for that old goat?” scoffed Juan. “He has no friends. -Hooper, his own relative, dislikes him--and for good reason too. _Si!_” - -“Are Hooper and Wingate relatives?” Veve asked in astonishment. - -Before Juan could answer, he heard his name angrily called. Mr. Wingate -stood at the entrance to the orchard, gazing toward the spring. - -“You, Juan!” he shouted. “Stop loafing, and get back to work!” - -“_Si, Senor_,” the little Mexican boy muttered. Picking up his nearly -empty pail, he smiled again at Veve, and ambled up the road. - -Back at the Hooper orchard, the Brownies had finished their lunch and -were ready to resume their picking. - -“Where’s Veve?” Jane demanded impatiently. “She’s always late. She -hasn’t even weighed in her last picking.” - -“That’s because she didn’t have enough cherries to turn in,” said -Eileen. - -Veve came up to the oak tree just in time to hear the last remark. - -“Who says I haven’t any cherries?” she demanded, offering her pail in -proof. “Full to the brim!” - -The Brownies were amazed. They had been so certain that Veve’s bucket -was nearly empty. - -“How did you get so many cherries so quickly?” - -Connie asked suspiciously. “When I last saw your pail--” - -“Oh, I’m a fast picker,” laughed Veve. Then, because she knew a Brownie -had to be honest, she added: “Well, maybe I had some help!” - -The girls plied her with questions. Finally, after she had tantalized -them, Veve told about her meeting with the Mexican boy. - -“One can’t blame the Mexican pickers for thinking of leaving if -they are mistreated,” remarked Miss Gordon when she heard Juan’s -conversation repeated. “However, I hope they don’t. If the pickers -should go away from the area before the fruit is marketed, it would be -most serious for all of the orchard owners.” - -The Brownies now were well fed, rested, and ready to return to their -work. Connie’s mother was sorry she had not worn old clothes so that -she too might help. - -“Perhaps I’ll come again tomorrow,” she declared. “That is, if it -doesn’t rain.” - -The sky had become slightly overcast. Although it did not look as if it -would rain very soon, a storm appeared in the offing. - -While the other Brownies returned to their trees, Veve went to the shed -to have her cherries weighed. - -“You did very well,” Pa Hooper praised as he marked the poundage on her -card. “Guess you’re finally getting the trick of it.” - -Veve flushed and decided then and there that during the afternoon she -would keep her mind on her work. - -“Oh, Mr. Hooper,” she said suddenly. “Is Carl Wingate any relation to -you?” - -The orchard owner nearly dropped the lug of fruit he was carrying out -to load into a truck. - -“What made you ask that?” he demanded. He did not seem very pleased by -the question. - -“I just wondered.” - -“Someone put you up to it! Carl Wingate is my cousin. Now get back to -your picking and don’t be pestering me with questions.” - -Pa Hooper spoke almost crossly. Veve could not understand why her -question had annoyed him. She remembered though, that Juan had said -something about the orchard owner disliking Carl Wingate. - -She meant to learn more about it before the Brownies were through -with the cherry picking. However, she would have to bide her time. -Pa Hooper, she could plainly see, had no intention of revealing any -secrets. - - - - -CHAPTER 5 - -The Brownies Lend a Hand - - -Veve awoke the next morning to the sound of rain on the roof. For a -moment she lay quite still, wondering if it were time to get up. - -“Oh, dear!” the little girl thought. “This means there will be no -cherry picking today.” - -Veve was not too disappointed, however. For when she rolled over in -bed, her shoulders ached and so did the muscles of her legs. She felt -as if she could sleep a thousand years. - -Just then, her mother called from downstairs: “Time to get up, Veve! -It’s after nine o’clock!” - -Nine o’clock! When Veve heard that, she rolled out of bed and began -to dress. She had not dreamed it could be so late for it looked dark -outside. Half the morning already was gone! - -Mrs. McGuire had breakfast waiting when the little girl came -downstairs. She had set out Veve’s favorite cereal, and had cooked tiny -sausages. - -“U-um, u-um,” Veve declared, smacking her lips. “I’m as hungry as a -bear! Cherry picking certainly makes one hungry.” - -Mrs. McGuire set a tall glass of milk in front of her daughter’s plate. -“I let you sleep late because I knew you were tired,” she said. “There -will be no cherry picking today. Miss Gordon called a few minutes ago, -to say the Brownies are having a meeting though.” - -“Where?” Veve demanded between bites of sausage. - -“At Miss Gordon’s home. You’re to work on the quilt again.” - -Veve made a grimace which showed exactly how she felt about sewing. - -“The meeting starts at one,” her mother informed her. - -Veve would have liked to be a little late to cut down her sewing time. -She already had one demerit for tardiness, however, and could not risk -another. So she decided she would be on time. - -After lunch, she changed into her Brownie uniform and went to Miss -Gordon’s home. All the girls were disappointed by the rain. But they -agreed it was a fine time to finish the crazy quilt. - -“If we each sew three blocks, it will be finished,” Miss Gordon -declared. “Then I’ll put it on the frames and quilt it for you.” - -“When will we have the quilt sale?” Connie asked. - -Miss Gordon said she thought the auction and show possibly might be -held within a week or ten days. - -“It all depends upon when we have our quilts ready to exhibit,” she -added. “Let’s have a report now. How many have arranged to have at -least one quilt entered in the display?” - -Connie quickly announced that she would have two exhibits, the Sawtooth -quilt and a woven Washington coverlet. - -Rosemary next made her report. She said she had been promised an -Evening Star pattern. Eileen was sure she would have one in the Pine -Tree design. Sunny’s aunt had given her a very old one, made entirely -of little scraps of velvet and silk. - -As for Jane and Veve, they both told Miss Gordon they surely would find -quilts to enter in the show. Actually, they were a trifle worried, for -the time was short. - -When four o’clock came, the girls finished the last quilt block, and -put away their sewing. They were very tired. But they were happy and -proud too, for the crazy quilt now was ready for the frames. - -“I’ll stitch in our Rosedale Brownie Troop name,” Miss Gordon promised -the girls. “You’ve done quite enough as it is.” - -Ice cream and cake were served. Then the girls sang a Brownie song and -ended the meeting by repeating the Brownie Scout Promise: - -“I promise to do my best to love God and my country, to help other -people every day, especially those at home.” - -The girls stood at attention as they spoke the words, saluting smartly -at the end. - -After the dishes had been cleared away, it was time to leave. - -Arm in arm, the Brownies ambled down the street. The rain had ceased, -and the clouds were drifting fast as if they might clear away. - -“I hope it’s nice weather tomorrow,” Connie said. “I want to pick -cherries again.” - -At the next corner, the girls began to separate to go to their homes. -Veve walked with Connie for most of the distance to their street. Then -abruptly, she announced that she had to go the other way. - -“Why, you don’t live down that street,” Connie protested. “What are you -up to anyhow?” - -Veve would not say. Nor would she agree to allow her friend to -accompany her. - -“You’ll hear all about it at the next Brownie meeting,” she laughed. -“That is, if I have luck.” - -Now Veve had made up her mind to get busy and find a quilt for the -show. She had recalled that a lady who lived on White St. had a -beautiful one with dogwood flowers across its face. She meant to ask -her for permission to display it in the exhibit. - -“See you later!” she dismissed Connie. - -Now Veve knew that the owner of the dogwood quilt was Miss Adelia -Brimborough. She had never talked to her, however. - -Therefore, the little girl was completely taken by surprise when a -tall, prim lady answered her rap on the door. - -Just by looking at her, Veve guessed that she did not like children. - -“Well?” inquired Miss Brimborough. Her tone implied that she was in a -great hurry. - -Veve started to explain about the Brownie organization and the coming -quilt show. - -Miss Brimborough scarcely listened. When Veve asked her rather timidly -if she would allow her dogwood quilt to be shown by the Brownies, her -answer was firm. - -“My dear, I am so sorry. I should like to help your fine -organization--indeed, yes. But you may not know that my dogwood blossom -quilt won second prize in the county fair last year.” - -“That’s why we would like to exhibit it,” Veve said quickly. - -“My dear, I couldn’t risk entering such a valuable quilt in a Brownie -show. It might be damaged, you see. Children are so careless.” - -“Brownies aren’t,” Veve insisted. “We’re taught to be responsible and -to take care of things. If you’ll let me have the quilt I’ll promise--” - -“Now please don’t tease,” the lady cut her short. “I am sorry, but I -can’t let you have the quilt.” - -Veve was tempted to make an unkind reply. She wanted to tell Miss -Brimborough that she was mean and selfish. - -Just in time, though, she remembered that Miss Gordon had said a -Brownie must always be courteous even though others might be rude. - -Miss Brimborough hadn’t been exactly rude. She merely had been very -firm. - -With as much dignity as she could muster, Veve said good-bye. She felt -bitterly disappointed by the refusal. - -Where in the world now would she find a quilt for the show? In all -Rosedale she did not know of another person who had a pretty one. - -Twenty minutes later, when Veve reached home, her mother had arrived -from the office. - -“Mom, do you know of anyone who might have a quilt for our Brownie -show?” the little girl asked. - -Mrs. McGuire, who was making out the grocery list, did not give the -question very much thought. “Why, no, dear,” she answered absently. -“Must you have one soon?” - -“Right away.” - -“We’ll try to think of someone who has a nice quilt,” her mother said. -“Just now I’m so busy--” - -The telephone had started to ring. Mrs. McGuire asked Veve if she would -answer it. - -Taking down the receiver, the little girl was surprised to hear Miss -Gordon’s voice. - -“Veve,” the Brownie leader said. “I’ve just received a call from Mr. -Hooper. He needs our help.” - -“At the cherry orchard, you mean?” gasped Veve. She knew Miss Gordon -would not have telephoned if the matter were not of utmost importance. - -“Yes, this rain has made the cherries ripen very rapidly. Mr. Hooper is -afraid he will lose much of his crop if he doesn’t get pickers right -away.” - -“Does he want the Brownies to come out there now, Miss Gordon?” - -“Not tonight. But he has asked us to report the first thing in the -morning. Can we count on you, Veve?” - -“Oh, yes!” - -“Good!” Miss Gordon approved. “I’m calling all the other girls. We’re -to meet at my home at six-thirty sharp.” - -“I’ll be there,” Veve promised. - -“Oh, yes, another thing. Mr. Hooper wants us to bring any other pickers -we can find. I thought possibly we might induce some of the mothers to -go with us.” - -“That would be fun! And we’d make a lot more money for the -organization!” - -“We certainly would,” laughed Miss Gordon. “The important thing though -is that we have a chance to help Mr. Hooper save his crop. It seems he -can’t have his turn at the professional pickers for several more days. -By that time he’s afraid his crop will spoil.” - -“I’ll ask my mother to go,” Veve promised. - -Mrs. McGuire worked nearly every day at a downtown office. It so -happened, however, that she was entitled to a little time off. - -“I’ll be glad to accompany the Brownies to the orchard,” she -assured her daughter. “Until now I’ve had little chance to help the -organization. This will give me a splendid opportunity.” - -All of the other mothers felt exactly the same way. - -So the next morning, six Brownies and six mothers gathered early at -Miss Gordon’s home. - -“Thirteen of us,” the Brownie leader declared, counting noses. “Dear -me, I hope that’s not unlucky.” - -“It will be a lucky number for our Brownie troop!” laughed Connie. -“Think how many pounds of cherries we’ll pick today.” - -Everyone was in high spirits. The sun shone brightly and the day gave -promise of being pleasant. With the mothers going along, the cherry -picking would become a real outing. - -Six heavily laden lunch hampers already had been loaded into the cars. - -Veve spied Miss Gordon putting in another large, squarish package which -did not look as if it contained anything to eat. - -“What’s in that one?” the little girl asked curiously. - -Miss Gordon only smiled. - -“Surprise,” she hinted mysteriously. “Wait until lunch time. Then -you’ll see!” - - - - -CHAPTER 6 - -A Missing Coverlet - - -Veve was happy as a lark, humming a Brownie song as she stripped -cherries into her pail. Now that she had learned the trick of pulling -the fruit from the trees, it was much easier for her to keep up with -the other pickers. - -Furthermore, she had a secret! In fact, two of them. - -“What makes you so chirpy this morning?” demanded Connie, who was -picking in the next tree. - -“Oh, I’m just feeling top-notch!” laughed Veve. “Thinking of that good -lunch we’ll soon be eating!” - -“That’s not entirely the reason,” insisted Connie. “You’ve been pepped -up ever since we drove out here this morning. In fact--you acted as if -you saw something on the way that gave you a big lift.” - -“Maybe I did.” - -“Well, I didn’t see anything different than usual.” - -“Then you couldn’t have looked where I did,” Veve teased. “I saw it -right close to Pa Hooper’s farm--at the first one down the road.” - -“Carl Wingate’s place?” - -“Goodness, no. I mean the house on this side of the road.” - -“Well, I didn’t see anything,” Connie declared. She brushed a strand of -hair from her eyes. “Stop teasing me, Veve! What did you notice?” - -“A quilt hanging on the line!” Veve announced, her eyes sparkling. -“Oh, it was a beauty, Connie! Even from the road I could see that the -pattern was unusual--all stars and wheels in blue and white.” - -“I must have been looking the other direction. I didn’t see it.” - -“None of the Brownies did. It was flapping there on the clothesline as -much as to say, ‘Come and get me, Veve!’ That’s what I intend to do! At -lunch time, I’m going to slip over to that house and ask the lady if -she’ll let me have the quilt for our show.” - -In her enthusiasm, Veve did not realize that she was talking in a loud, -shrill voice. Jane Tuttle, who was working in the next tree, heard the -conversation. She became so interested that for a minute or two she -forgot to pick cherries. - -“I guess I won’t be a tail-ender after all!” Veve declared in -satisfaction. “I’ll beat Jane!” - -The little girl said no more about the quilt. However, when at last -Miss Gordon signaled the Brownies that it was time to knock off for -luncheon, she was off her ladder in a flash. - -“See you later!” she called to Connie. “Save me some lunch, if I’m -late.” - -Miss Gordon was directing the girls and their mothers to the big oak -where lunch was to be served. In counting noses, she failed to see Jane -Tuttle. - -“Why, I wonder where she is?” she inquired aloud. “Come to think of it, -I haven’t seen her around for the last fifteen or twenty minutes.” - -“Jane went to the shed awhile ago to weigh in her fruit,” Sunny -informed. “I never saw her come back though.” - -At that very moment, one of the girls sighted the missing Brownie. She -came walking jauntily through the gate, pigtails swinging. Her shoes -were quite dusty, an indication that she had tramped along the road. - -“Oh, girls! Guess what?” she greeted the Brownies. Jane looked directly -at Veve as she spoke. - -“Where have you been?” Veve demanded suspiciously. - -Jane laughed. “Off looking for a quilt!” she informed saucily. “Found -one too!” - -“You found a quilt for the Brownie show?” Veve asked in a weak voice. - -“At the farm next to this one! Oh, it’s a dandy! Blue and white. It’s -called the Ship’s Wheel pattern. The lady who owns it says she’ll be -glad to let me have it for the display.” - -“She’ll let _you_ have it!” Veve cried. “But that was _my_ quilt!” - -“It wasn’t yours until you had it promised,” chuckled Jane. “The early -bird catches the worm, you know! You’re a pretty late bird, Veve.” - -“You heard me tell Connie about the quilt!” Veve accused. “Then you -sneaked off before I had a chance and asked for it.” - -“So what?” laughed Jane. “You can get another quilt. Only of course, -this makes you the tail-ender!” - -Miss Gordon, who had heard the girls arguing, came over to ask what was -wrong. Veve told her what had happened. - -“Why, Jane,” the Brownie leader said in surprise. “I didn’t think you -would do a thing like that. It doesn’t seem quite honest or fair.” - -“I only wanted to get ahead of Veve,” Jane said, now feeling ashamed of -herself. “Oh, well! I’ll give her the old quilt.” - -Veve, however, was too proud to accept it. - -“No, thank you,” she said. “I will find another one--a much nicer -pattern.” - -The other Brownies did not tease Veve about being a ‘tail-ender.’ In -fact, they very carefully avoided talking about the Ship’s Wheel quilt. -Jane knew that the girls felt she had been unfair in taking Veve’s -quilt. She was sorry now that she had done it, but she did not know how -to make amends. - -The girls and their mothers ate lunch under the oak tree. While they -rested, Miss Gordon brought out the mysterious package Veve had seen -her slip into the car that morning. - -“Here’s the surprise,” the Brownie leader announced. “Our -quilt--entirely finished!” - -As the teacher carefully spread the quilted coverlet on the grass the -girls exclaimed in delight. - -The quilt might be “crazy” in pattern, but never had they seen such a -splash of gay colors! Blue, gold, red, green, yellow and every hue of -the rainbow. - -Altogether, the quilt was so beautiful that the girls disliked -the thought of selling it. Of course they would, however, for the -organization needed money. - -“How did you finish it so quickly?” Connie inquired. - -“I had many willing helpers,” Miss Gordon explained. “Last night we had -a quilting bee at my home.” - -“What’s a quilting bee?” questioned Sunny curiously. - -“A quilting party,” Miss Gordon explained. “I invited teachers from -the Rosedale School and a number of my other friends. First we tacked -the quilt onto wooden frames. Then we put a backing on it and filled -in a layer of cotton. Finally, we tacked it down and took it from the -frames.” - -“My, that must have been a lot of work!” exclaimed Rosemary. “Even more -than making the quilt blocks.” - -“It was,” admitted the teacher. “But finishing such a fine quilt was -well worth while. Don’t you all feel that way about it?” - -“Oh, yes!” agreed the Brownies. - -Miss Gordon showed the girls the lower right-hand corner of the quilt. -In tiny red stitches, the Rosedale Brownie Troop name had been etched -in. - -“Oh, I like that!” Connie cried. “Now, even though someone else buys -our quilt, the Brownie name always will be on it.” - -“It’s almost like having an autograph quilt,” declared Veve. - -While the other girls chattered excitedly about the coming quilt show, -Jane Tuttle had nothing to say. - -In truth, she felt quite ashamed of the way she had acted. - -“Don’t feel bad, Jane,” Veve said to cheer her. “It’s all right about -the quilt. I’ll find another.” - -Jane brightened at that. “I’ll help you get one, Veve,” she promised. - -Then she added: “You know something? While I was at that next-door -house, I learned some interesting things about Mr. Hooper.” - -“You did?” Veve was eager to hear all about it. - -“His house burned down nearly three years ago, the lady said. And guess -why he never rebuilt it!” - -“Maybe he didn’t have the money.” - -“That’s not the real reason,” replied Jane. “He didn’t rebuild the -house, because he’s afraid he will lose his entire orchard.” - -“Lose it? How? Doesn’t he have enough money to pay the taxes?” Veve -had heard her mother say that to hold property one had to pay taxes -regularly. - -“Oh, it isn’t that!” Jane explained impatiently. “He’s afraid he will -have to turn the place over to Mr. Wingate.” - -“To that old demon!” - -“It’s because of a will or something,” Jane said vaguely. “The lady -told me, but I didn’t pay close attention. Anyway, Pa Hooper and Mr. -Wingate have had a lot of trouble. They’re cousins, but they dislike -each other.” - -“I can’t blame Mr. Hooper for not liking Carl Wingate,” Veve declared -with feeling. “Why, it would be dreadful if he would get both orchards.” - -“The quilt lady seemed to think that’s the way it will turn out. She -said Pa Hooper is afraid this harvest is the last one he’ll ever get -from his orchard. And he may lose most of it too!” - -“Why will he lose his cherries, Jane?” - -“Because the fruit is ripening so fast. He expected the Mexican pickers -two days ago, but they’re still at the Wingate place. Mr. Hooper can’t -get them until they’ve finished Wingate’s picking.” - -“He has us.” - -“But you know we’re not fast pickers, Veve. A good stripper can get -almost 300 pounds a day from a tree. Mr. Hooper needs two experienced -pickers to every acre. At least that’s what the quilt lady told me.” - -“I wish the Mexicans would leave Mr. Wingate’s place and come here.” - -“So do I, but they have to finish their contract first. Mr. Wingate -has a heavy crop, and he won’t let the pickers move on until they’re -completely finished.” - -As the girls talked, Miss Gordon called that it was time to return to -the orchard. Before leaving, she carefully folded the quilt inside out -and left it lying on the grass not far from the picnic baskets. - -During the afternoon, the Brownies and their mothers picked steadily. - -The work seemed much easier now. Even so, everyone began to grow a -little tired about four o’clock. - -Mrs. Davidson had just finished filling her bucket when, without -warning, the breeze began to freshen. - -Two or three strong gusts swept through the orchard, blowing papers and -stirring the limbs of the trees. - -“Girls, better come down from your ladders,” Miss Gordon called. “It -looks as if we’re in for a wind storm.” - -Scarcely had the girls descended, however, than the wind died away as -quickly as it had come. - -“False alarm,” laughed Miss Gordon. “We may as well go back to work.” - -Mrs. Davidson said it was time for her to go home and start supper. She -was the first to leave, taking Sunny with her. - -After that, Mrs. Williams had to go and so did Eileen’s mother. They -promised, however, that if the weather remained favorable, they would -return the following morning. - -“Mr. Hooper really needs every picker he can get,” Miss Gordon said -soberly. “He tells me his entire crop must be harvested before the -end of the week. Otherwise, much of the fruit will be rejected by the -cannery as over-ripe.” - -One by one the mothers left the orchard, taking their daughters with -them. Miss Gordon was among the last to depart. - -“Girls,” she said to Veve and Rosemary, who were to ride with her, -“will you bring the lunch baskets, please?” - -Hand in hand, they raced to the oak tree where lunch had been served. -All but two of the baskets already had been loaded into other cars. - -“I’m glad there’s not much to carry,” Veve said. - -She picked up one of the baskets and gave the other to Rosemary. - -At the parked car, Miss Gordon shoved the hampers into the rear luggage -compartment. - -“There, I guess we have everything,” she declared. “My, but I am tired.” - -“So am I,” yawned Veve. “After this picking job is over, I’ll go to bed -and sleep a million years!” - -The two girls curled up on the back seat, intending to relax during the -ride into Rosedale. - -A truck from the canning factory had blocked the entrance gate to Pa -Hooper’s property. Not until it had moved on with its load of fruit, -was Miss Gordon able to drive out into the main road. - -The automobile had traveled perhaps a mile toward the city when the -Brownie leader thought of an important matter. - -“By the way, I don’t recall packing the Brownie crazy quilt,” she said. -“Did either of you look after it?” - -“Not I,” said Rosemary. - -“Neither did I,” returned Veve. “I didn’t even see the quilt under the -tree when we picked up the lunch baskets.” - -“Maybe one of the mothers took it,” suggested Rosemary. - -Miss Gordon now was rather troubled. - -“I should have thought about the quilt, but it slipped my mind,” she -said, slowing the car. “It may have been left under the tree. I believe -we should drive back there to make certain.” - -The Brownie leader turned the automobile around and returned to the -Hooper orchard. This time she went with Rosemary and Veve to the oak -tree where they had eaten the picnic lunch. - -However, they could not find the crazy quilt. - -“One of the Brownie mothers may have taken it,” Miss Gordon decided. -“Oh, well, I wanted to be sure the quilt wasn’t left behind. Odd, I -didn’t see anyone carry it to a car.” - -En route back to Rosedale, the Brownie leader did not have a great deal -to say. Veve and Rosemary could not tell whether she was uneasy about -the quilt or was thinking of other matters. - -Miss Gordon dropped Rosemary off at the Fritche home. Mrs. Fritche -said she had not seen the crazy quilt either. - -“Perhaps Mrs. Davidson has it,” she suggested. “As I recall, she was -one of the first to leave.” - -“I’ll telephone all the mothers,” the Brownie leader said. “Someone -must have the coverlet.” - -Before taking Veve home, Miss Gordon stopped at her own residence. From -there she called Mrs. Davidson. - -Sunny’s mother reported that she had not seen or taken the crazy quilt -from beneath the tree. - -In turn, Miss Gordon called all the mothers who had attended the -picnic. Mrs. Williams was the last name on her list. - -“Why, no,” replied Connie’s mother, in answer to the Brownie leader’s -question. “I did not take the quilt. For that matter, I didn’t even -notice that it was under the tree.” - -Miss Gordon turned away from the telephone, very much discouraged. - -“Veve,” she said, “how can I tell the Brownies? After all our work, the -crazy quilt is gone! While we were so busy picking, I’m afraid someone -took it!” - - - - -CHAPTER 7 - -Pa Hooper’s Trunk - - -Next morning at the orchard, the main topic of conversation was the -loss of the crazy quilt. - -Everyone agreed that Miss Gordon had left it lying under the oak tree. -No one recalled seeing it after that. - -“Pickers went to and from the orchard all day,” Miss Gordon declared. -“Oh, dear, it was careless of me not to have locked it in the car. And -to think how many long hours the Brownies spent on their beautiful -blocks!” - -“Maybe one of the Mexicans took it!” suggested Rosemary. “I saw that -little boy they call Juan walking along the road about four o’clock.” - -“Juan wouldn’t steal,” Veve said, going quickly to his defense. “He’s -nice and I like him!” - -“We mustn’t accuse anyone,” said Miss Gordon. “The fault was entirely -my own. I’ll try somehow to make it up to the Brownies. Just at the -moment, I can’t think of any way to do it. Every one of those stitches -was precious.” - -The Brownies felt the same way about their work. Not for anything in -the world would they have sewed another quilt. They felt its loss very -keenly. - -“Does this mean we won’t have the quilt show or the auction?” Eileen -asked. - -“We can’t have the auction because we have no quilt to sell,” the -teacher replied. “As for the show, I vote that we go on with it exactly -as we planned.” - -“So do I!” cried Connie, and all the other girls agreed. - -Veve, however, was not as enthusiastic as the others, because she was -afraid she never would find a quilt to display. - -“I have another idea too!” Miss Gordon announced cheerfully. - -The Brownies demanded to know what it was. - -“Why not have a cherry festival in connection with our quilt show?” the -teacher proposed. “It might help to draw a crowd and would be fun to -plan.” - -“Oh, that sounds exciting!” approved Connie. “How do we do it?” - -Miss Gordon outlined her plans, and invited the girls to add their own -suggestions. She had cut out petal patterns from which the girls could -make artificial cherry blossoms to decorate booths. - -“We can have paper lanterns decorated with the blossoms,” she went on. -“Then you might like to select a festival queen. If so, we’ll need a -throne.” - -“Wouldn’t that mean a lot of work?” Eileen asked. Already she was -feeling rather tired from so much cherry picking. - -“The throne could be made quite easily by using a swing. The rope -strands would be entwined with cherry blossoms. I think it would be -nice if we had the festival out-of-doors. That is, if the weather is -fair. We’ve had so much rain lately.” - -One and all the Brownies liked Miss Gordon’s idea for the cherry -festival. Somehow, planning for it eased the loss of their quilt. - -“When will we have the festival?” Veve asked. - -Miss Gordon said she thought the next week-end might be the best -time. Although that did not give the Brownies very long for their -preparations, they could do it if everyone worked together. And all -the mothers had promised to help. - -“I’ll make the posters tonight,” Miss Gordon offered. “As soon as you -can, bring the promised quilts to my house.” - -With the festival and quilt show almost at hand, Veve wondered what she -would do for an exhibit. - -Later that morning when she carried her pail of cherries to the shed -for weighing, she asked Pa Hooper if he knew of anyone who might have a -quilt she could borrow. - -“Bless you, no,” he answered. “If my sister, Ella, were alive, she -could give you a dozen of ’em. Ella made beautiful quilts.” - -“Haven’t you any of them now?” - -“Not a one, child. All the quilts burned when the house was destroyed. -That was right after my sister died. All my papers and records were -burned too. Everything I owned.” - -Mr. Hooper sighed as he poured Veve’s cherries into a sorting bin. - -“If everything hadn’t burned,” he hinted, “I might not find myself -where I am now. I’d show that upstart, Carl Wingate, a thing or two! As -it is, he holds the whip hand.” - -Veve could not guess what the old man meant. - -“Didn’t you save anything from the fire?” she asked. “Not a single -thing?” - -Pa Hooper waved his gnarled hand toward a far corner of the shed. - -“Only that old trunk and bureau,” he said, pointing to two dusty, -carpet-covered objects. “Neither of them contained anything of value.” - -“Have you looked carefully, Mr. Hooper?” - -“Most carefully, Miss Veve. I’d give a lot if I could find one of -Ella’s old letters--in fact, anything bearing her signature.” - -“You’re certain there isn’t an old letter somewhere in the trunk?” - -“Quite certain.” - -Veve hesitated a moment, and then said: - -“Sometimes, Mr. Hooper, trunks have secret compartments or false -bottoms. I know, because I’ve read about it in stories.” - -Mr. Hooper chuckled as he stooped to pat Cap, who licked his hand. - -“So you think my sister’s old trunk might have a secret compartment?” - -“Couldn’t it?” - -“My sister Ella wasn’t the type to hide anything. She was open and -above board about everything she did. That’s why it seemed so queer -about her will--” - -The old man lapsed into deep thought without finishing what he had -started to say. He seemed to forget that Veve was in the shed. - -After awhile, recalling her presence, he said briskly: “Well, four more -pounds of cherries to add to your total. You’re catching up with the -others, Veve. Keep up the good work!” - -“Yes, sir,” Veve agreed. - -Then, because she was deeply interested in the old trunk and the -bureau, she spoke of them again. - -“Would you mind if I went through ’em sometime?” she asked. “Perhaps -I might find an old letter of your sister’s. Mother says I have very -sharp eyes.” - -“I’ve looked through the trunk a dozen times,” Pa Hooper returned. -“It’s a useless task.” - -Observing Veve’s disappointment, he added quickly: “But you may search -if you’re a mind to.” - -“Right now?” Veve asked eagerly. - -“I guess you could, only it will keep you from your cherry picking.” - -“I’ll go through the trunk at the lunch hour,” Veve decided. - -The little girl returned to the orchard to tell the Brownies of her -plan. She found several of the girls gathered in a group around Jane. - -“It’s been taken!” Jane was saying excitedly. “The Brownie pin was on -my jeans and now it’s gone. It disappeared the same as the quilt did!” - -Miss Gordon came down from her ladder to learn what was wrong. - -Jane told her that she had worn the dancing elf pin that morning on her -shirt. Only a few minutes before she had noticed that it was missing. - -“You must have lost it somewhere in the orchard,” the Brownie leader -declared. “But it isn’t right to suggest that someone took it.” - -“Well, someone went off with our quilt!” - -“That was a different matter, Jane. And I blame myself. I never should -have left the coverlet under the tree.” - -Jane made a great fuss over the loss of the pin. For nearly half an -hour she gave up cherry picking and searched everywhere on the ground. - -Several of the Brownies helped her. But they could not find the missing -pin. - -“It makes me fairly ill,” Jane said in a discouraged voice. “First our -quilt--and now my pin. There must be someone dishonest in this orchard!” - -“But Jane, no one could have taken the pin off your jeans without you -having seen them,” Connie pointed out. “Besides, the pickers all seem -very nice. I’m sure they wouldn’t steal.” - -Besides the Brownies and their mothers, Pa Hooper had ten and sometimes -twelve other persons picking for him. Everyone seemed friendly and -pleasant. - -The women pickers always spoke to the Brownies when they met them at -the packing shed. Of course the girls had asked everyone about the -missing quilt. No one had seen it. And now, no one knew anything about -the lost pin. - -After awhile the Brownies went back to their picking again. Even though -Jane wanted them to keep looking for her pin, they felt they could not -take any more time. - -Veve told the girls about the trunk and the old bureau in the packing -shed. - -“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could find some of Ella Hooper’s -handwriting!” she speculated. “If I could, maybe Pa Hooper wouldn’t -have to give up his orchard!” - -The morning was pleasantly cool. By now the Brownies had become fairly -steady if not fast pickers. Of course, they could not keep up with the -others. But there were so many of them that their total kept growing -and growing. - -“What will we do with all our money?” Connie mused. - -“Go camping, or maybe on a long trip!” Eileen proposed instantly. “I’d -like to go to New York City or maybe Washington!” - -All the Brownies laughed, for the idea seemed quite impossible. Even if -they picked cherries for a week, they knew they could not earn enough -for a long trip. But just the thought of it excited them. - -At noon the Brownies ate their luncheon as quickly as possible. Veve -went to the spring, hoping to see the little Mexican boy again. He was -not there, but as she bent down for a cool drink, she saw something -bright and shining lying in the mud. - -It was the missing Brownie pin! - -“And Jane was so sure someone took it!” Veve chuckled, washing the -emblem under the stream of water. “Wait until she hears about this!” - -Racing back to the orchard, she gave the pin to Jane. - -“Well, can you beat that!” the other girl exclaimed. “I remember now, -I went to the spring a couple of hours ago. I guess the pin must have -slipped off my jeans and I didn’t notice.” - -“You see how unfair it is to accuse anyone when you aren’t sure,” added -Rosemary severely. - -“I didn’t accuse any one person,” Jane defended herself. “I just said -it might have been someone. Anyway, our quilt still is missing!” - -With lunch finished, Veve planned to get busy on the old trunk. - -Before she could do so, however, Miss Gordon called the Brownies -together. - -“Girls, how would you like to ride to the canning factory?” she -inquired. - -“What would we do there?” Connie asked quickly. She was very much -interested, as were all the Brownies. - -“I thought we might see how cherries are canned commercially.” - -“Will we go now in your car?” inquired Sunny. - -Miss Gordon explained that they would ride with Bill Flint, a truck -driver, who hauled Mr. Hooper’s cherries. - -“Oh! We’re going in a truck?” Veve exclaimed. Immediately, she decided -to postpone her examination of the old trunk. “That will be gobs of -fun!” - -“I thought you might enjoy it,” Miss Gordon smiled. “Bring your -sweaters, girls. We may be gone for an hour or so.” - -The mothers of the Brownies decided they would rather remain at the -orchard. All of the girls, however, wanted to go. - -Off they raced for their jackets and sweaters. Already Bill Flint was -loading the truck with lugs of cherries. - -“I’ll take Miss Gordon and two of the Brownies with me up front,” he -told them. “The rest will have to stand up in the back. It’s not far, -though, to the factory.” - -Connie and Rosemary sat with the Brownie leader. The other girls -climbed into the rear of the truck, finding a tiny space which was not -loaded with boxes. - -“Whoever saw so many cherries!” Veve marveled. “And just think! We -picked most of ’em!” - -Bill Flint started the big truck engine. It made such a roar that, for -a minute, the girls could not hear their own voices. - -The truck rattled off down the road, past the Wingate orchard. At the -first corner it turned right, onto a wide paved road. - -Before the truck had gone very far, the Brownies caught sight of -another cherry hauler, directly ahead. And as they neared the factory, -they saw more and more trucks, all laden with fruit. - -“Everyone must be going to the cannery!” Veve laughed. Her words came -out in jerks, for the truck at that moment was passing over a broken -patch of pavement. - -A moment later, the vehicle came to a complete standstill. - -“What’s wrong?” called Eileen in alarm. “Do we have a flat tire?” - -Bill Flint did not need to answer the questions. By looking ahead down -the road, the Brownies could see an almost endless line of trucks. -Bumper to bumper, they stood, waiting their turn to move up to the -factory loading and unloading dock. - -“Afraid we’re stuck here for awhile,” the truck driver said, switching -off the motor. - -Indeed, the Brownies were traffic locked. Until the cherry-laden trucks -ahead moved up, they could not budge. - - - - -CHAPTER 8 - -Duck’s Foot in the Mud - - -At first, the Brownies did not mind waiting in line. They sang songs -and played one of their favorite games. - -Connie started it by saying: “I see something green which begins with -the letter ‘P.’ What is it?” - -“A tree!” cried Eileen before she stopped to think. - -“A tree doesn’t start with the letter ‘P,’” Connie reminded her. - -“Paint!” guessed Sunny Davidson, stretching a cramped arm. “Green paint -on that truck just ahead!” - -“That’s a good guess, but you aren’t right,” laughed Connie. “I’ll give -you a tiny hint. The object I’m thinking about is over in that field to -the right.” - -All the Brownies glanced toward the truck garden where many green -things were growing. - -“Potatoes!” cried Veve. “Green potato plants!” - -“That’s right,” agreed Connie. “Now it’s your turn.” - -Veve looked quickly about for an object. On the opposite side of the -road, a washing hung on a line. The little girl noticed a blue shirt -flapping in the breeze. - -“I see something which starts with the letter ‘S’--” she began, and -then broke off. - -She had seen another object even more interesting. Also on the line -hung a red and white patterned quilt. Even from so far away Veve could -see that it was a most unusual design. - -“Oh, I see a quilt!” she cried. - -“You’re not supposed to tell,” Jane chided her. “And quilt doesn’t -start with ‘S.’” - -“I’m not playing that game any more,” Veve announced. She was thinking -hard. “I have an idea.” - -“You and your ideas!” scoffed Jane. - -Veve, however, did not hear. She nudged the truck driver. - -“Bill, how long will we have to stay here?” - -“Hard to tell,” he replied. “Something seems to be holding up the -trucks at the cannery. They’re not moving up very fast.” - -“Will we be here ten minutes?” - -“We might. Then again we might not.” - -“I can make it,” Veve declared and started to scramble over the high -sideboard of the truck. - -Jane clutched her by the seat of her jeans. - -“Hey, you! Where do you think you’re going?” she demanded. - -“After that quilt.” Veve pulled free and leaped lightly to the -pavement. “I’m going to ask if I may have it for our Brownie show.” - -“You’ll be left behind!” - -“It won’t take me but a minute,” Veve insisted. “May I go, Miss Gordon?” - -“Are you certain you won’t take longer than ten minutes?” - -“I’m sure I can make it! Oh, please let me inquire about the quilt.” - -“Run fast then,” the Brownie leader urged. “If the trucks ahead move -on, we will have to pull up too to keep our place in line.” - -“I can catch up,” Veve insisted. “The trucks only move a few feet at a -time.” - -Before Miss Gordon could offer another objection, she darted off to the -farmhouse. - -Good luck was with Veve. As she entered the yard, she saw a stout -woman in a pink checked gingham dress hanging up another basket of -clothes. - -“Good morning,” Veve gasped. She was quite out of breath from running. - -“Good morning, my dear,” returned the lady, taking clothes pins from -her mouth. “Have I ever seen you before?” - -“I don’t think so. You see, I just jumped out of that cherry truck. I -wanted to ask about your beautiful quilt.” - -As she spoke, Veve glanced over her shoulder toward the road. To her -dismay, she saw that the truck already had moved a few feet ahead. She -would have to talk fast unless she wanted to be left behind. - -“It is a lovely quilt,” said the lady. “I believe the pattern is called -‘Duck’s Foot in the Mud.’ The pieced blocks do resemble the imprint of -a duck’s webbed foot.” - -“Oh, yes,” agreed Veve, scarcely heeding what the woman said. “The -quilt would look simply gorgeous in our Brownie quilt show. Would -you--would you please let me borrow it for the display? I’d take the -very best care of it.” - -The lady smiled because the little girl seemed so worried and earnest. - -“Why, I’d love to let you have the quilt for a display,” she said. -“Only I can’t.” - -“You can’t?” Veve quavered. - -“No. You see, the quilt isn’t mine to offer.” - -“But I thought--” - -“You saw it hanging on the line and assumed I owned it? No, I merely am -washing the quilt for another lady. She lives a long distance from here -too.” - -“Oh!” Veve’s face, which had been very bright, now became as dreary as -a rainy day. “Then of course you couldn’t let me have it. Oh, dear! -I’ll always be a tail-ender, I guess. You--you don’t own a single quilt -of your own?” - -“No, I’ve always used blankets.” - -The lady very much wanted to help Veve. However, she did not know how -to do it. - -“Mrs. Gwinn on Seventeenth St. owns the ‘Duck’s Foot in the Mud’ -quilt,” she said. “I could telephone her, but I am afraid she would not -want anyone to borrow her quilt. Of all the folks for whom I wash, she -is my fussiest customer.” - -“I guess I will just have to go without a quilt,” Veve said, deeply -discouraged. “Well, thank you just the same.” - -The little girl started away. - -“Wait!” the lady called her back. “Come to think of it, I do have a -quilt!” - -“Oh, grand!” exclaimed Veve, scarcely believing her good fortune. - -“On second thought, I’m afraid you wouldn’t want it for your exhibit. -You see, it’s a very old quilt--but not in the least fancy.” - -“That doesn’t matter. Just so it’s a quilt. That’s all that counts.” - -“Wait here,” the lady instructed. “I’ll show it to you.” - -She disappeared into the house. A few minutes later, she was back again -with the quilt. - -Even though Veve had not expected an elegant coverlet, it was hard for -her not to show her disappointment. The quilt was faded and never had -been made of very pretty colors. In general appearance it resembled the -Brownies’ crazy quilt. However, it was not half so pretty. - -“You see, it isn’t much,” the lady apologized. “It was given to me -years ago, by a lady now dead. But if you can use it, take it along. -You needn’t bother to bring it back as I never use it any more.” - -“You mean it’s mine to keep?” - -“Yes, dear, if you think you can use it. I’m sorry I haven’t a nicer -quilt to offer.” - -“Oh, I can use this one,” Veve assured her. “Yes, indeed!” - -The pleasant lady offered to wrap up the coverlet, but there was no -time. - -Already the long line of cherry-laden trucks had started to move slowly -ahead. - -From the roadway, Miss Gordon and the Brownies waved their arms and -shouted for Veve to hurry. - -“Never mind wrapping the quilt,” the little girl said nervously. “I’ll -take it just as it is. Thanks a million!” - -“You’re welcome, I’m sure,” the lady smiled. “Do come and see me again -sometime when you have more time. Who knows? I might have a few spare -sugar cookies in my jar.” - -“I’ll come,” Veve promised. She really meant it too. - -Starting off at a run, she called over her shoulder, “You must come to -our Brownie quilt show! I’ll let you know the day later.” - -The quilt tucked under her arm, the little girl raced for the road. In -her haste, she ran through a mud puddle and caked both shoes. But she -could not stop to clean them. - -Bill Flint and the Brownies had waited for her, even though the other -truck drivers did not like it very well. The trucks ahead had moved up, -leaving a long gap of roadway. - -Behind the Brownie truck, drivers were tooting their horns impatiently. -They wanted Bill Flint to pull on ahead. - -“Hurry! Hurry!” the Brownies called to Veve. - -She leaped a little ditch and reached the side of the truck, quite -breathless. - -Reaching down, the Brownies hauled her, quilt and all, over the side. - -Bill Flint started ahead an instant later. The thunder of the big truck -engine was so loud for several minutes that Veve could not make herself -heard. - -Soon, however, the truck had caught up with those ahead. Then it slowed -to a standstill again. - -“Veve McGuire! You nearly gave us heart failure!” Jane accused crossly. -“You stayed and stayed at that house on the hill, and paid no attention -when we yelled for you to come!” - -“I ran as fast as I could. Anyway, I got a quilt.” - -“Let’s see it,” Sunny urged. “Is it real pretty?” - -Veve was careful not to answer the question. She spread the quilt out -for the girls to see. - -In the bright sunlight, the coverlet looked even more faded than at -first sight. The right hand corner bore an ugly brown stain. One of the -edges was frayed. - -For a moment, the Brownies merely gazed at the quilt. No one said a -word. - -Then Jane, always outspoken, found her tongue. - -“You call _that_ a quilt?” Her tone was most scornful. - -“It is a quilt!” Veve said, her eyes flashing. “The nice lady said so! -Furthermore, she didn’t just loan me the coverlet. She gave it to me!” - -“And no wonder!” went on Jane. “It’s not worth a thing! Why, I bet a -dog used it for a bed!” - -“That’s not so,” Veve retorted. She was becoming angry now as well as -hurt. “It’s a good quilt and I like it!” - -“Maybe you can find a better one before the show,” Sunny interposed. -“One that’s not so faded.” - -Veve started to reply, but words would not come. Instead, a salty tear -trickled down her nose. - -In the front seat of the truck, Miss Gordon had turned around to see -what was wrong. - -“May I see your quilt, Veve?” she asked kindly. - -The little girl nodded and handed it over in a lumpy roll. She felt -ashamed of the quilt now, and wished that she never had accepted it -even as a gift. The girls never would get over teasing her! - -Miss Gordon examined the quilt for a moment without comment. Jane and -Eileen openly tittered. - -“Why, Veve!” the Brownie leader said unexpectedly. “What a lovely old -quilt! It’s the only one of its type we have for our show.” - -The tears stopped trickling down Veve’s nose. She did not trust herself -to answer. Did Miss Gordon really like the quilt or was she only trying -to be kind? - -“The quilt’s old enough!” giggled Jane. “It must have come over in the -Ark!” - -Miss Gordon gazed at the little girl most severely. - -“Jane, I’m afraid you’re not a very good judge of quilts,” she said. -“One can’t always judge by the brightness of the colors, you know.” - -“Is the quilt really good enough to be in our exhibit?” Veve asked, -taking hope. - -“Indeed, it is. Girls, this is an excellent example of the autograph -patch!” - -The Brownie leader explained that in an autograph patch quilt, each -block was made by a different person who signed her name or stitched it -in. - -“This quilt has dozens of names and the dates when the blocks were -made,” she pointed out. “See, some are in cross-stitch. Others have -been written with indelible pencil or ink.” - -“Then I did find a good quilt!” announced Veve triumphantly. - -“You certainly did,” agreed Miss Gordon. - -Carefully she folded the coverlet as if it were very precious. “You’ve -found more than a quilt, Veve,” she said. “You’re now the owner of a -possession which takes on historical importance!” - - - - -CHAPTER 9 - -Veve’s Autograph Quilt - - -To hear Miss Gordon say that the quilt was historically important made -Veve very proud. - -Instead of having a worthless coverlet, she now was the possessor of -one that was the equal of any of the others obtained for the Brownie -show. Best of all, it was her very own. - -The truck was moving ahead again. Soon it came to the gate of the -canning factory. - -“Hi there, Bill Flint!” the gateman greeted the driver. “I see you have -a full load. All those kids yours?” - -“Wish they were,” laughed Bill. - -The truck kept edging along closer and closer to the cannery. - -At the unloading dock, all the Brownies piled out of the vehicle. An -inspector came over to look at the lugs of cherries. - -“These are plenty ripe,” he said. From one box he removed a cherry -which had turned brown and split open. - -“Too much rain,” replied Bill. “And Mr. Hooper can’t get enough -pickers.” - -“Well, tell him we’ll reject the fruit if it comes in too ripe,” the -inspector said. “He’ll be wise to round up pickers and get the job done -fast.” - -“Try and find ’em,” Bill rejoined. “Carl Wingate has tied up the works -by hanging onto his crew too long. The Mexicans were supposed to have -been at Hooper’s place yesterday.” - -“I know,” the inspector agreed. “Too bad. But I have to protect the -cannery.” - -The snatch of overheard conversation troubled the Brownies. They liked -Pa Hooper and did not want him to lose any of his fruit. - -“When we get back to the orchard, we must pick faster,” Connie -whispered to Veve and Rosemary. - -Both girls soberly agreed. However, they knew that the amount of -cherries they could pick would not count up very fast. If Mr. Hooper -were to save his crop, he needed the Mexican pickers. - -“Come along, girls,” said Miss Gordon, guiding them into the cannery. - -The truck would be unloaded quickly. Bill had told the Brownie leader -that he would return to the orchard for another load. He expected to -pick up the Brownies on the second trip, which would be in about two -hours. - -“We’ll be able to see the factory and have time to spare,” declared -Miss Gordon. - -The Brownies watched workmen unload the cherries and place them on a -conveyor which took them to a large room with mechanical stemmers. - -A single stemming machine had a long cylinder made up of a series of -short rubber rollers. - -As the rollers turned, they caught and pulled away stems and leaves. -The cherries themselves were not crushed or bruised. - -“Say, that’s neat!” approved Eileen. - -In the next canning operation, the fruit was thoroughly washed. Then it -moved on to a grading machine. - -By means of a screen, the cherries were sorted into groups of five -different sizes. - -The Brownies were even more interested in the machine which removed -the pits from all the cherries. They stood for a long while watching -the fruit fall into tiny cups. Once there, the stones were removed by -cross-shaped plungers. - -A man who showed the girls over the plant, told them that to keep the -fruit from spoiling it was necessary to sterilize it at 212 degrees for -twelve to twenty-five minutes. - -“Cherries receive a long exhaust too,” he declared. “At least ten -minutes.” - -“What’s an exhaust?” inquired Jane, puzzled. - -The guide explained that it was a process which eliminated air from the -can. - -He showed them next the room where the cans were stacked after -sterilization had been completed. Sprays of water passed over them to -cool the tin. - -“Is that so they’ll be easier to handle?” Connie questioned. - -“Oh, no,” explained the guide. “If the cans were not cooled quickly, -the contents would continue to cook for several minutes. Then the -cherries would darken.” - -After the cans were sealed, each one was carefully tested. - -“Poorly sealed ones give off bubbles of air,” the guide told the -Brownies. “Those are discarded.” - -Imperfectly sealed cans or “leakers” made a hollow sound when tapped -with a short steel rod, the man further explained. A properly sealed -one gave off a dull, flat sound. - -The Brownies saw how bright colored labels were pasted on the cans -which then were ready for packing. That ended the tour. - -“It took us less than an hour,” Miss Gordon declared when the girls -came out into the bright sun again. - -“Then we have another hour to wait for Bill Flint,” said Connie. - -She looked up and down the road. Other trucks were pulling up to the -cannery every few minutes. But Bill’s truck was nowhere to be seen. - -The sun was uncomfortably warm. Miss Gordon suggested that they cross -the roadway and wait under the shade of a large oak. - -Once there, however, Veve had an even better idea. She had noticed that -the river ran close by. A trail led from the road to a sandy beach -where several persons were bathing. - -“Let’s go down to the beach!” she proposed. - -Miss Gordon looked again at her watch. “We have time enough, I guess,” -she decided. “Bill isn’t in sight yet and he will have to unload his -truck after he reaches the cannery.” - -The Brownies trooped down to the beach. Several children were there, -wading in the shallow water. - -“Oh, Miss Gordon, may we go in too?” demanded Veve. - -The Brownie leader hesitated. Before she could say ‘no’ all the girls -began to tease to go into the water. - -“It’s so hot!” Eileen declared. “I’m simply roasting.” - -“We haven’t long--” - -“It will only take a jiffy,” said Veve, starting to strip off her shoes -and stockings. “Oh, that water will feel good!” - -Miss Gordon had to give in. All the Brownies except Rosemary decided to -go wading. They rolled up their jeans and splashed into the water. - -The beach was not a very nice one. On the bottom were many sticks and -stones. Veve stepped on a jagged rock and hurt her toe. However, she -only laughed. She knew if she made a fuss, Miss Gordon would make all -the girls come out of the water. - -“Stop splashing!” Connie scolded her friend. “You’re getting my jeans -all wet.” - -“Don’t forget, we’re supposed to pick cherries when we get back to the -orchard,” added Sunny. “We can’t do it if our clothes are soaked.” - -Veve moved farther away from the Brownies toward the group of strange -children. Among the boys and girls, she saw someone she knew. It was -Juan, the little Mexican boy. - -“Hello!” she called. - -“Hello, yourself,” he returned the greeting. - -A moment later Juan walked over to the group of Brownies, grinning from -ear to ear. - -“Why aren’t you picking cherries?” Veve asked him. - -The little Mexican boy shot the question right back. - -“Why aren’t _you_?” - -“The Brownies all came to the factory to see how cherries are canned,” -Veve explained. “We’re waiting now for Bill Flint to return for us.” - -“Did you visit the factory?” Eileen asked the boy politely. - -She could not help thinking that he was dressed oddly, even to go -wading in the river. The boy wore a straw hat. His shirt was torn and -two buttons were off. A patch had pulled loose from his trousers, -showing an area of bare leg. - -“I have never been inside the cannery,” Juan replied. “I did not pick -cherries today because I did not feel like it.” - -“You played hookey, didn’t you?” Jane caught him up. “Shame! When -cherry pickers are so badly needed too.” - -“If the orchard owners want pickers they should pay us more,” said -Juan with a shrug. “And they should treat us better.” - -The Brownies could think of no answer to that remark. They knew, of -course, that Carl Wingate had struck the Mexican boy with a stick. -Whether or not Juan had first caused the orchard owner trouble, they -had never learned. - -Just then a man came down the trail toward the beach. - -At first, he merely stood and watched the children as they waded in the -shallow water. But after awhile he noticed Juan. - -“Hey, you!” he called to the little Mexican boy. - -Juan acted as if he had not heard. - -The man came quickly to the water’s edge. He was scowling and appeared -very displeased. - -“Come here!” he called again to Juan. - -This time the boy could not pretend that he had not heard. Very slowly -he waded in toward the man. - -“_Que, Senor?_” he mumbled, acting as if he neither spoke nor -understood English. - -“You heard me!” the man said angrily. “What do you mean by going in -wading at this beach?” - -Juan merely shrugged. - -“You know you have no right here. I won’t have Mexicans on my -property! Now go, and don’t let me catch you sneaking back.” - -Juan waded out and picked up his straw sandals. - -“Get a move on!” the man urged. - -Shocked by the man’s angry attack, the Brownies quickly followed the -Mexican boy from the water. - -“No, I didn’t mean you girls,” he said in a quieter voice. “You may -stay if you like.” - -“But you just now told Juan to leave--” Veve began in bewilderment. - -“He’s a Mexican.” - -Juan drew himself up proudly. “_Si, Senor_, I am a Mexican and proud of -it,” he announced. “I have as much right here as anyone else.” - -“We’ll see about that!” said the land owner, starting toward him. -“You’ll leave or I’ll turn you over to the sheriff.” - -Juan grabbed his straw sandals and hobbled off over the sharp pebbles. - -But as he disappeared among the trees, he hurled a threat over his -shoulder. - -“You’ll be sorry,” he warned. “So will all the orchard people! Wait and -see!” - - - - -CHAPTER 10 - -At the Cannery - - -After Juan had disappeared among the trees, the land owner turned to -speak to the Brownies. By this time all the girls had waded out of the -water. - -“I didn’t mean you,” he said. “You may stay here as long as you wish.” - -“But why did you send Juan away?” asked Veve. She did not like the way -he had treated her little friend. - -“Oh, he’s a Mexican. The pickers have a camp not far from here.” - -“But Juan is nice.” - -“He’s a Mexican, and they aren’t allowed to use the beaches -hereabouts,” the man repeated. “Juan, as you call him, may be all -right, but if I let him swim here, all the camp would show up. The -pickers are a shiftless lot.” - -The Brownies without saying any more began to put on their shoes and -stockings. - -“I didn’t mean to frighten you girls away,” the land owner tried to -reassure them. “Wade here whenever you like.” - -“I don’t want to stay if Juan can’t,” Veve said. - -Until now, Miss Gordon had taken no part in the conversation. - -“I really think it is time that we leave,” she said. “Bill Flint soon -will be returning in the truck.” - -The girls quickly put on their shoes and stockings and started up the -trail to the road. Once beyond hearing of the beach owner they were -very outspoken. - -“It was mean of him to send Juan away,” Veve declared. “Why, he wasn’t -making any trouble or doing anything he shouldn’t.” - -“The man just doesn’t like Mexican pickers!” added Connie. “I wonder -why?” - -“I wonder myself,” said Miss Gordon. “So many persons seem to have that -attitude. As far as I’ve observed, the pickers appear to be a group of -quiet, well-behaved people.” - -The Brownies had reached the roadway. Bill Flint was not yet in sight -with the truck. - -“Did you hear that threat Juan made as he ran off?” Connie recalled. -“Do you suppose he meant it?” - -“He was annoyed because the land owner had ordered him off the -property,” Miss Gordon said. “I’m sure Juan didn’t mean his threat -seriously.” - -As the Brownie leader spoke, the girls were startled to hear a yell of -dismay. The cry had come from Eileen, who had walked a short distance -ahead of the others down the road. - -In attempting to leap a tiny ditch from the roadside to the pavement, -she had slipped and fallen. Now as she slowly picked herself up, her -shirt and jeans were plastered with mud. So were her hands and face. - -“Just look at me,” Eileen wailed. She began to cry. - -Miss Gordon tried to comfort her. “We’ll go to a filling station rest -room and clean you up,” she said brightly. “Don’t cry, Eileen.” - -“But the truck is coming!” exclaimed Sunny, who had spied it far down -the road. “There won’t be time.” - -“It will take Bill Flint a little while to unload the cherries,” Miss -Gordon said. “I’ll take Eileen to the filling station. The others go on -to the factory loading dock and meet Bill.” - -The Brownies followed their leader’s instructions. This time, however, -Bill had driven to the factory without a full load. - -In a short while all the lugs had been removed from the truck, and he -was ready to start back to the orchard. - -Veve ran to the filling station to tell Miss Gordon and Eileen that the -driver was waiting. - -In the wash room, Eileen had removed her jeans so that the Brownie -leader could scrape off some of the mud. - -“Dear me, I didn’t expect him to be ready so soon,” Miss Gordon said. -“I’m afraid Eileen and I will have to catch him on his next trip.” - -Veve took the word back to Bill Flint. “I could wait a few minutes,” he -said, looking at his watch. “But it won’t be necessary. Joe Evans hauls -for the Wingate Orchard. His truck is coming in now.” - -“Then he should be ready to leave in about twenty minutes.” - -“Right-o. Miss Gordon could ride back with him.” - -The arrangement suited everyone except Eileen. She had wanted to ride -back with the other girls. Of course, she realized it would be better -to wait until the worst of the mud had been cleaned from her clothes. - -Leaving Miss Gordon and Eileen behind, the other Brownies rode back to -the Hooper orchard. - -“We will have to pick fast now,” Connie urged her companions. “We’ve -lost so much time.” - -“But our mothers have been working while we were away,” declared Sunny -cheerfully. “That will help.” - -Veve picked a full bucket of cherries and took it to the shed for -weighing. While she was there Connie came in with her brimming pail. - -“Oh, there’s that old trunk!” Veve exclaimed as her gaze fell upon it. -“I was going to look through it and forgot!” - -“Why don’t we do it now?” proposed Connie. “That is, if Mr. Hooper -doesn’t mind.” - -“I don’t,” the orchard owner replied. “Not if you don’t take too long -at the job. I want to get those cherries picked.” - -“It won’t take us hardly a jiffy,” Veve declared. “Not with two of us -to work.” - -The trunk was an old-fashioned affair with a rounding top. An old rug -had been thrown over the cover to protect it from dust. - -Veve pulled off the covering and unfastened the rusty clasps which held -down the lid. Cap, deeply interested, trotted over to watch. - -“You won’t find much,” said Mr. Hooper. “I wish--” - -“You wish what, Mr. Hooper?” Connie inquired curiously. - -“Oh, I was only thinking I wish you’d stumble onto some of my sister’s -handwriting.” - -“Maybe we will.” - -“Not in that trunk, I’m afraid.” - -“We may find a letter tucked away somewhere,” Connie insisted -hopefully. “Would it mean a lot to you to have one?” - -“I’d give a hundred dollars for a sample of my sister’s handwriting,” -Mr. Hooper said. More talkative than usual, he went on: “You see, Ella -made a will leaving this orchard to me. It was a typed document drawn -by a lawyer. - -“Ella signed it, of course, in the presence of witnesses. All well and -good. I thought she had left me her entire property, including this -orchard. But a short while ago, a cousin, Carl Wingate, appears with -another will.” - -“Had your sister made two of them?” Connie asked in surprise. - -“That’s what Carl claims. The will he produced is only three lines -long, and the signature doesn’t look exactly like Ella’s. But the will -is of later date than the one which left the orchard to me.” - -“The second will gives this land to Carl Wingate?” questioned Connie, -reaching down to pat Cap. - -“Yes, and cuts me off with only her personal possessions.” Mr. Hooper -laughed without mirth. “Her personal possessions! All that is left, is -in that trunk and the bureau which was saved from the fire.” - -“Why would it help to have a letter from your sister?” inquired Veve. - -“Because it would give us other writing of hers and another signature -to compare with Carl Wingate’s will.” - -“You said the writing on the second will doesn’t look the same as on -the first one?” Connie pursued the subject. - -“No, it looks like a copy to me. I’ve been thinking of taking the -matter to court, but so far I’ve no evidence.” - -“Maybe we can find some evidence,” Veve declared confidently. - -She began to burrow in the top layer of the trunk. As she lifted out -an old brown wool skirt, three moth balls rolled onto the floor. Cap, -thinking they were meant for play, began to chase them. - -Besides the skirt, other clothing had been neatly folded away. Connie -and Veve found a black silk dress, two pairs of shoes, and a silly -looking hat with a blue feather. - -The girls wanted to try it on, but did not take the time. Instead, they -carefully examined each garment for pockets. In one, Veve came upon a -piece of paper. - -For a moment, she thought she had made an important discovery. However, -the paper proved to be only a recipe for gingerbread, torn from a -newspaper. - -Finding nothing in the top shelf of the trunk, the girls removed the -tray. - -The lower section proved even more disappointing. It was only half -filled with old books, yellowed linen and a box of woolen underwear. - -Veve and Connie examined the pages of the books, hoping that -something had been written in them. But nothing had been. It was most -discouraging. - -“You see,” remarked Mr. Hooper. “Nothing of value.” - -“We might try the bureau,” suggested Veve half-heartedly. - -“You’ll find it practically empty,” the orchard man told her. “But go -ahead.” - -The girls opened the drawers of the battered oak dresser. The top -one was entirely empty. In the second they came upon a stack of old -newspapers and magazines. - -More old clothing had been folded into the lower drawer. - -“It’s quite useless,” Mr. Hooper told the girls. “Ella had beautiful -things, but they were all destroyed in the fire.” - -“I suppose we may as well get back to our picking,” Connie said, -closing the bureau drawers. - -She picked up her pail, intending to leave the shed. - -Before either she or Veve could do so, Eileen came rushing up. Only a -moment before the little girl had arrived on a Wingate truck with Miss -Gordon. - -“Well, I see you’re back!” laughed Connie before Eileen could speak. -“Your jeans don’t look so very bad now that they’re dry.” - -Eileen was too excited to hear the remark. - -“Listen!” she exclaimed. “I’ve got important news! What do you think I -saw on the ride back from the canning factory?” - -Neither Veve nor Connie could guess, but they were very much interested. - -“What did you see?” Connie demanded. - -“Our quilt!” - -“Not the Brownie crazy quilt?” Connie asked, scarcely believing the -astonishing news. - -“I’m sure it was! Miss Gordon saw it too, but she wouldn’t say for -certain that it was our missing quilt. She thought there might be a -mistake. But I’m sure it was the same one!” - -The news had caused both Veve and Connie to become rather excited. -Since the disappearance of the crazy quilt they had asked many persons -if they ever had seen the coverlet. No one had noticed it. So the -Brownies were convinced that they never would find the quilt again. - -“You found our quilt!” Veve said, clutching Eileen’s arm. “Where?” - -“This will really slay you,” Eileen declared. “Of all places--” - -“Well, tell us!” Veve broke in impatiently. - -“I’m trying to if you’ll give me time.” Eileen paused for dramatic -effect, and then said impressively: “It was at the Mexican camp. Veve, -I guess your little friend, Juan, isn’t so honest after all!” - - - - -CHAPTER 11 - -The Mexican Camp - - -Questioned by Veve and Connie, Eileen related what had occurred on the -return trip from the canning factory. - -After Miss Gordon had cleaned the mud from the little girl’s clothing, -she and the Brownie leader had waited quite a while for the Wingate -truck. - -The trucker had been very willing to give them a lift back to the -Hooper farm. However, on the way to the orchard, he had chosen a -shorter side road instead of taking the main highway. - -Not far from the canning factory, the truck had passed a camp where the -Mexican cherry pickers lived. - -“Several Mexican blankets hung on a clothes line strung up between two -trees,” Eileen revealed. “And guess what I saw on another?” - -“What?” demanded Veve. - -“I saw the missing quilt! Our crazy quilt!” - -“Did you stop to look at it?” Connie asked, deeply troubled. - -“Oh, no! The truck driver was in a hurry. We didn’t dare ask him to -stop.” - -“How close were you to the Mexican camp?” - -“Oh, fairly close,” Eileen said vaguely. She never could estimate -distances. - -“Close enough to really see that it was our crazy quilt?” - -“Well, it looked like it to me. The quilt was made up of a lot of -colors and pieced blocks of all sizes.” - -“But all crazy quilts are like that,” argued Veve. She did not want to -think that any of the Mexicans had taken the coverlet. - -“That’s what Miss Gordon said,” Eileen admitted. “All the same, the -quilt looked like ours. Another thing, Mexicans don’t usually have -quilts. Every other coverlet on the line was a woven blanket.” - -“There’s one way we could tell for certain if the quilt is ours,” said -Connie thoughtfully. - -“How?” - -“Don’t you remember? Miss Gordon stitched in the Brownie troop name in -one corner.” - -“That’s right!” Eileen agreed. “Let’s get the girls together now, and -hike over to the camp. We’ll find out if that quilt is ours. If it is, -we’ll have all the Mexicans arrested.” - -Pa Hooper had been listening to the conversation of the three girls. - -“I hope you don’t have all the Mexicans arrested,” he said, speaking -for the first time. “If you do, we’ll never get our fruit picked.” - -“At least we’ll have the one who stole the quilt put in jail,” Ellen -insisted. “I’ll bet it was Juan. I’ve seen him around here more than -the others.” - -Veve went quickly to the defense of her little friend. - -“I’m sure it couldn’t have been Juan,” she declared. “He seemed very -honest to me.” - -“As long as I had Mexican pickers on my place, I never had anything -taken,” Pa Hooper added. “This year, though, they seem more restless -and dissatisfied. Can’t figure it out.” - -While Eileen, Connie and Veve talked, Jane and Rosemary came into the -shed with filled pails. They too heard about the quilt, and were all -for taking action at once. - -“Let’s go to the Mexican camp this minute!” Jane urged. - -“Hold on,” interposed Pa Hooper. “Who’s staying here to pick cherries? -This afternoon I’m not getting ’em stripped fast enough to keep the -truckers busy.” - -Miss Gordon arrived just then and she too was in favor of the girls -continuing with their picking. - -“If the quilt really is ours, it will be at the camp later on,” she -advised. “We can finish our picking, and stop there on our way home.” - -“Will we have the Mexicans arrested?” Eileen demanded. - -“That remains to be seen,” Miss Gordon answered. “The important thing -is to be certain that the quilt is ours before we say any more about -the matter. It would be dreadful to accuse someone and then learn that -we had been mistaken.” - -The Brownies were willing to be guided by the teacher’s suggestion. All -returned to the orchard where they picked steadily for the next two -hours. - -During the afternoon, however, they could talk of little except the -missing quilt. - -“If we get it back, we’ll have a truly grand quilt show!” Sunny -Davidson declared gaily. “Has it been decided for sure when we’re to -have the display?” - -From the next tree, Miss Gordon herself answered the question. - -“How about this Saturday night at the church? I’ve already arranged to -have the parlor for the affair if we want it.” - -“Oh, fine!” approved Rosemary. “Let’s make it Saturday night for sure.” - -“Can everyone have her quilt on hand by that time?” - -“I can,” laughed Veve. “My autograph one is right here now. It needs -washing though, but that won’t take long.” - -The other Brownies were fairly certain they could obtain the promised -coverlets in time. - -Miss Gordon urged them to busy themselves that very night on the -telephone, letting all their friends know about the coming affair. -She said she would make additional posters to put in store windows, -advertising the quilt show. - -“How much admission will we charge?” Connie asked. She wanted to make a -great deal of money for the Brownie organization. - -“I don’t think we should charge anything,” Miss Gordon decided. -“However, we certainly will auction off the crazy quilt--if we’re lucky -enough to get it.” - -“Anyway, we don’t need money as badly now as we did,” Veve said. She -reached on tiptoe to strip an especially heavily laden branch. “After -we finish here at the orchard, the Brownies will be rich!” - -Excitedly, the girls chattered about what they would do with so much -money. - -“We ought to make a thousand dollars at least!” Veve declared grandly. - -Her remark made the other Brownies laugh, for they knew that even if -they picked night and day, they could not earn that much. - -“We’ll be lucky if we make a hundred dollars,” Connie said. “The -cherries won’t last much longer.” - -As the girls talked, she noticed that Miss Gordon had very little to -say. The teacher was picking fruit rather slowly now. - -Quite frequently she would raise a hand and press it to her forehead. - -“Don’t you feel well?” Connie asked her after awhile. - -Miss Gordon admitted that she had a slight headache. - -“I forgot to wear dark glasses today,” she confessed. “The bright sun -must have strained my eyes.” - -As the afternoon wore on, Miss Gordon felt increasingly miserable. -Mrs. Williams, who was helping the Brownies pick, noticed the strained -expression on the teacher’s face. - -“You really shouldn’t be here,” she declared. “Let me drive you home.” - -“I don’t like to be a quitter--” - -“Nonsense,” said Connie’s mother firmly. “You should be in bed. I’ll -drive you home now, and return for the Brownies.” - -Miss Gordon allowed herself to be persuaded. “Now don’t worry about me, -girls,” she said, noticing the troubled faces of the Brownies. “It’s -only a headache. I’ll be on hand again early tomorrow morning.” - -After Mrs. Williams and Miss Gordon had gone, the Brownies picked -steadily for a long while. They kept watching the road, thinking that -Connie’s mother soon would return. - -The trip seemed to take a very long while. Eileen began to worry lest -something had happened to the car. - -“What if we shouldn’t get to the Mexican camp before dark?” she -fretted. “Then we might not find our crazy quilt.” - -“Shouldn’t we go there right away?” Veve proposed impatiently. “Miss -Gordon didn’t say anything about it when she left.” - -“She was feeling too ill,” Connie said. “But I’m sure she expected us -to go on to the Mexican camp the way we planned.” - -“Is it too far to walk?” asked Veve. - -Eileen was certain that the camp was not more than a mile away. - -“Let’s ask my mother to take us there now,” she urged, climbing down -from her low step ladder. “It’s late and we can’t pick many more -cherries anyway.” - -The other Brownies were tired from their work and so favored the -proposal. - -Seeking Eileen’s mother, who also had driven a car to the orchard, they -asked her if she would take them to the Mexican camp. - -“Without Miss Gordon?” she asked reluctantly. “I hardly think--” - -“We don’t dare wait until tomorrow!” Eileen cut in. “The quilt may be -gone if we do.” - -“But dear, you might have been mistaken. If the quilt shouldn’t belong -to the Brownies, I would feel so embarrassed.” - -“Miss Gordon said she wouldn’t want us to accuse anyone wrongfully,” -Connie recalled. “We could be real careful though! Couldn’t we sneak up -on the camp and look around without letting the pickers know what we -were doing?” - -“Well--” - -“Oh, please!” coaxed several of the Brownies. And Sunny added: “After -all our work on the quilt we just have to get it back.” - -In the end, Mrs. Webber agreed to drive the girls to the Mexican camp. -She disliked to take the responsibility, however, in Miss Gordon’s -absence. - -Eileen sat with her mother in the front seat, pointing out the side -road which the Wingate driver had taken a few hours before. - -Soon the car came to a grove of trees. From the roadside the girls -could see the tents of the Mexican cherry pickers. - -“Stop here, Mother!” Eileen directed. - -As the car halted just off the road, Connie heard an interesting sound. - -“Listen!” she commanded. - -Mrs. Webber switched off the car engine and everyone listened. - -From amid the trees came the strumming sound of a guitar. The girls -also could hear someone singing in Spanish. - -“Where’s our quilt?” Veve demanded, jumping out of the car. “I don’t -see it anywhere.” - -“It was hanging between the trees only a few hours ago,” Eileen -insisted. “Some of the Mexicans must have taken it down.” - -Mrs. Webber advised the girls not to approach the camp too boldly. She -did not know how they might be received by the Mexican pickers. - -“Why can’t Eileen and Connie and I go on ahead and see if we can find -the quilt,” Veve proposed. “If it’s there, we’ll signal for the rest of -you to come on.” - -“I want to go too,” announced Jane. She was afraid she might be cut out -of some of the excitement. - -“Four would be too many,” Veve insisted. “We’d be certain to attract -attention.” - -Mrs. Webber said she could see no point in all of the Brownies -descending upon the camp. The girls were so excited, she feared they -might make remarks which would offend the Mexicans. - -Favoring Veve’s proposal, she gave the three girls permission to go on -ahead. - -“Now remember, it hasn’t been proven that the quilt belongs to the -Brownies. Or that it actually was stolen,” she cautioned the trio. -“Don’t make any trouble. Just notice if the quilt is anywhere in camp. -And if it is, signal.” - -“I’ll hoot like an owl,” Veve promised. - -“I think a simple wave of the hand would be better,” Mrs. Webber said, -smiling. “But don’t signal unless you are certain the quilt is there, -and that it belongs to the Brownies.” - -Veve, Connie and Eileen were very pleased with the arrangement. The -other Brownies, who must wait at the car, were less happy. They did not -want to miss anything. - -The three girls set off through the woods. A narrow trail wound in -among the trees and led directly to the camp. - -Drawing fairly close, Veve, Connie and Eileen paused to see what was -ahead. - -In the camp, Mexican children were romping over the grass, having a -happy time. Near one of the tents, a Mexican woman with a bright orange -apron was cooking supper. She seemed to be making cakes from ground -corn and meat. - -“Oh, that smells good,” declared Eileen, sniffing the air. - -Nearby, another woman sat at a loom, weaving a black and white woolen -blanket. The pattern was very beautiful. - -“Wouldn’t that one look lovely in our quilt show,” Veve whispered. - -“We’re not having any Mexican blankets!” Eileen replied firmly. “I -should say not! The pickers took our quilt!” - -“I don’t see it anywhere,” Veve said, her gaze sweeping the camp. -“Maybe you were wrong about it.” - -Eileen shook her head. “Miss Gordon saw it too,” she insisted. “It must -be somewhere in the camp.” - -The three girls walked on a few steps. Coming to a clump of bushes, -they halted there. - -Without being seen they could view everything that went on in the camp. - -Everyone seemed to be very happy. Several of the little boys and girls -were playing with a shaggy dog. Veve saw Juan sitting with his back to -an oak tree. The little boy was carving a figure from a block of wood. - -“I don’t believe the crazy quilt is here,” Veve announced. - -She was ready to turn around and return to the parked automobile. - -Eileen, however, insisted that she had seen the quilt. - -“It’s probably been taken inside one of those tents,” she declared. -“Let’s walk into camp and look.” - -“Miss Gordon warned us not to make any trouble,” Connie reminded her -friend. “And so did your mother.” - -“We don’t have to make any trouble or accuse anyone. Can’t we just -wander in and peep around?” - -Veve and Connie were not too pleased over the proposal. Nevertheless, -they followed their friend as she walked on. - -As the three girls stepped out from amid the trees, several of the -Mexican children saw them. Juan put aside his whittling knife and -sprang to his feet. - -“Chiquita! Carmen! Raul!” he called. “We have visitors.” - -Two little Mexican girls and a small boy who looked like Juan, came -running. - -“My brothers and sisters,” Juan introduced them to the Brownies. “They -are very pleased to meet you.” - -The three children bowed politely and smiled. - -Veve, Eileen and Connie scarcely could think of anything to say in -return. The children were so friendly they knew it would be awkward to -say anything about the quilt. - -Connie noticed that the boys and girls were rather thin as if they did -not have enough to eat. Some of them were barefoot, while others wore -_huaraches_ or straw sandals. - -Nearly all of the men in the camp had _sarapes_ thrown across their -shoulders. The _sarapes_ really were colorful blankets with a slit in -the middle. - -Excited to have visitors, Juan escorted them about the camp, showing -them everything. He introduced the girls to his mother, to his father -and to his aging grandmother. - -Everyone was so friendly that the Brownies began to think they had made -a serious mistake ever to believe they would find their missing quilt -in the camp. - -“Veve was right,” Connie whispered to Eileen. “Juan and the Mexicans -are nice--just like other people. You must have been mixed up.” - -“Well--maybe,” Eileen admitted unwillingly. “But I didn’t think so at -the time. I was sure I saw the quilt or something that looked exactly -like it.” - -Juan next took the girls to see his goat, Peter, who was staked down -near one of the tents. The animal had nibbled away so much grass that -the ground was bare all around him. - -“Did you make much money today picking cherries?” Veve asked her little -friend. - -He shrugged his shoulders, replying briefly: “Enough.” - -A moment later, he added: “What do I need of money? The sun is _la capa -do los pobres_.” - -“The sun is what?” Veve demanded, for she knew Juan had spoken in his -own language. - -“‘The sun is the poor man’s coat,’” the little boy translated. - -The Brownies were somewhat puzzled and did not understand Juan’s -meaning. Seeing their expressions, he went on: - -“If a Mexican has a sun to warm his back, he does not need fine -clothing to be happy.” - -Juan said no more just then. However, later, as he was showing the -girls the figure he had carved, he remarked that he might not see them -again. - -“Why, aren’t you staying with the other pickers until the crop is -harvested?” Connie asked quickly. - -Again Juan shrugged. “Who knows?” he questioned. “All of the pickers -may leave.” - -“Is it because you don’t like to work for Carl Wingate?” Veve asked. -She recalled how the boy had been hit with a stick. - -“He has been very ugly,” Juan replied. “He cheats on weight and does -not pay us all he owes.” - -“But the other orchard owners aren’t like that,” Eileen insisted. - -“The picking here is nearly finished. My people are tired of the place. -So we may move farther north.” - -“Surely you wouldn’t leave until Mr. Hooper’s cherries are picked!” -Veve said in dismay. - -“Who knows?” - -“But that wouldn’t be fair,” Connie interposed. “Mr. Hooper would lose -at least half of his fruit harvest if the pickers left without coming -to his place.” - -“He has been expecting the crew for several days,” added Eileen. “The -fruit is too ripe now. We heard the canning factory man say it would -have to be picked fast, or it will be rejected.” - -“Then the orchard people should treat us better. If we move on, it is -only themselves they have to blame.” - -“Mr. Hooper wouldn’t mistreat anyone,” Veve insisted. “He isn’t a bit -like his cousin, Carl Wingate.” - -“You tell your people that,” Connie urged. “It just wouldn’t be fair to -Mr. Hooper not to pick his cherries.” - -“I will tell them,” Juan promised soberly. “We do not have anything -against Mr. Hooper. But the townspeople have no liking for us. At the -stores they charge us more for food. We cannot use the beaches or have -any pleasures.” - -The Brownies knew that the boy’s complaint was a just one. That very -day, he had been driven away from the same beach where they had been -permitted to wade. They hardly knew what to say. - -“But you are my friends,” Juan finished warmly. “Come, I will show you -some of the beautiful lacework my mother brought from Mexico.” - -He led the three girls to a nearby tent. Veve was the first to peer -inside as he pulled back the flap. - -The little girl drew in her breath sharply. A brown Mexican baby was -playing on the floor of the tent. The infant lay upon a quilt of many -colors--unmistakably, the lost Brownie coverlet! - - - - -CHAPTER 12 - -A Quilt Show - - -For a long moment, no one said a word. Veve, Connie and Eileen merely -stared at the Mexican baby and their crazy quilt. - -Then Eileen reached down and turned back one corner of the coverlet. - -Just as she had feared, the Brownie troop name was stitched in the -corner. - -“This is our quilt,” she said, looking hard at Juan. “It is the one we -lost.” - -Eileen was certain that the Mexicans had stolen the coverlet, but she -was careful not to make a direct accusation. - -“Your quilt?” Juan repeated. He seemed very much surprised. - -“Juan, how did it get here?” Veve asked. She hoped that somehow he -would be able to explain. - -“Why, I found the quilt,” he answered without hesitation. - -“You _found_ it?” Eileen demanded. “Where?” - -“Blown against the fence at the edge of Mr. Hooper’s orchard.” - -“Blown against the fence!” Eileen could not understand. - -“Miss Gordon left the quilt folded up under a tree,” Connie declared. -“There was a fence not far away--” - -“This quilt is yours?” Juan asked politely. - -“Of course it is,” Eileen told him, pointing to the Brownie name. -“That’s the name of our organization.” - -“Brownies?” Juan appeared to consider the name an odd one. - -“It’s a national organization,” Connie said proudly. “When we’re too -old to be Brownies we’ll ‘fly up’ and be Girl Scouts.” - -“We try to help others,” Veve explained. “That’s why we started picking -cherries at Mr. Hooper’s orchard.” - -“And the quilt?” Juan asked. - -“We pieced it, expecting to sell it at a quilt show,” Eileen answered. -“Instead, we--we lost it. Miss Gordon left it under an oak tree on Mr. -Hooper’s place, and the next thing we knew, it was gone.” - -“Now we find it here!” Connie said severely. “Juan, did you really find -our quilt blown against the fence?” - -“_Si, Senorita_, I truly did,” Juan replied, becoming a bit excited. “I -would not steal. Do you not believe me?” - -“I do,” said Veve instantly. “Now that I think back, a strong gust of -wind did come up that day. It could have blown the coverlet against the -wire fence.” - -Juan picked up his baby sister and moved her off the quilt. - -Carefully, he folded the coverlet and handed it to Veve. - -“It is not much hurt,” he said. “I am very sorry.” - -“Oh, that’s all right,” Veve reassured him. “We’re just glad to get the -quilt back. And to know that it wasn’t stolen.” - -“I would not steal,” Juan said proudly. “Especially from my friends.” - -Now that the girls had their crazy quilt, they started to leave the -camp. But Juan would not let them go. He wished to make amends for the -quilt. - -“Wait!” he commanded. - -The little boy ran off. Three minutes later he was back again, bearing -an armload of beautiful gifts. - -He handed Eileen a blue apron with fancy drawn-work. For Connie he had -a bowl painted with red and green and black colors. The design was very -unusual. - -Upon Veve, Juan bestowed the nicest gift of all. He gave her a handsome -red and white hand-woven blanket which was far more expensive than the -quilt. - -“Oh, we can’t take all these things!” Connie protested. “All we want is -our own quilt back again.” - -“You are my friends,” Juan said, flashing his warm smile. “Keep the -presents. They are mere trifles.” - -He told the girls again that he was sorry he had taken the quilt by -mistake. - -“There’s an old saying that it’s an ill wind that blows no one good,” -Connie laughed. “That old wind that carried our quilt off, certainly -brought us luck.” - -The girls knew that Mrs. Webber and the Brownies were waiting at the -roadside. So reluctantly they bade Juan good-bye. They were sorry they -did not have longer to stay at the Mexican camp, for everyone seemed -very friendly. - -“You must come again soon,” Juan invited cordially. - -The three girls promised that they would return. They really meant it -too, for the camp was a most interesting place. - -“We are having a quilt show and a cherry festival Friday night on the -church grounds,” Veve informed the little Mexican boy. “Our crazy quilt -will be sold to the highest bidder.” - -“A cherry festival,” Juan said, his eyes dancing. “Will there be music?” - -“Well, I don’t know about that,” Veve admitted. “We will have lots of -fun though and make money.” Impulsively, she added: “You must be sure -to come, Juan. And bring all your friends.” - -Juan seemed a trifle surprised, but very pleased to receive the -invitation. - -“You want us?” he asked, almost in disbelief. - -“Of course!” Veve did not notice that Connie and Eileen were sending -warning signals in her direction. - -“Thank you, Senorita,” Juan said, bowing and smiling. - -He walked with the girls to the edge of the camp. From there they went -on alone, bearing their gifts and the crazy quilt. - -Once beyond hearing of the Mexican boy, Connie and Eileen took Veve to -task. - -“What possessed you?” Eileen demanded. “Why did you invite Juan and his -friends to our festival?” - -“Because I like him.” - -“So do I,” admitted Eileen. “All the same, I don’t think you should -have invited him. Do you, Connie?” - -“Well--I’m afraid the townsfolk may not like it. They never invite the -Mexicans anywhere.” - -Veve tossed her head. “That’s all the more reason for asking Juan. I -don’t think it’s fair to make the Mexicans stay here in their camp all -the time, just because they’re pickers.” - -“Well, maybe they won’t come anyhow,” Connie said. “After all, you -didn’t tell Juan what time the festival starts.” - -“That’s so,” Veve agreed, somewhat in relief. - -At the car once more, the girls showed Mrs. Webber and the other -Brownies the fine gifts they had received. - -“Oh, I’m so glad you have the quilt back again,” Eileen’s mother -declared. “How pleased I am that no one actually stole it.” - -Rosemary, Sunny and Jane also were delighted to have regained the -precious quilt. - -Nevertheless, they felt annoyed because the other three girls had not -motioned for them to come to the camp. - -“You could have waved your hand the way you promised you would!” Jane -said with a toss of her head. “I guess you wanted to have all the fun -yourselves!” - -“And get a lot of presents,” added Sunny. - -“We didn’t have time to signal,” Veve insisted. “Honest!” - -“That’s so,” added Connie earnestly. “Until the last minute, we didn’t -think the crazy quilt was in the camp. Then we finally saw it inside a -tent.” - -“Juan was standing right beside us,” Eileen explained. “If we had -signaled, he would have thought it strange.” - -“I think the girls did very well,” Mrs. Webber ended the discussion. -“Matters have been handled perfectly--much better perhaps than if we -all had gone to the camp.” - -Taking the quilt and the gifts with them, the Brownies returned to the -orchard. By this time it was too late to do any more picking. - -In fact, as they gathered up their belongings to leave, Mr. Hooper told -them that they would not need to come the following day, which was -Saturday. - -“I expect the Mexican crew to move in here early tomorrow,” he -explained. “They should finish up at Wingate’s place long before lunch -and then pick my orchard. Otherwise, I never could save my fruit. It -has been ripening so fast that the cannery soon will start rejecting.” - -“Will you lose any of the fruit?” Veve asked the orchard owner. - -“Not if the Mexicans move in here on schedule tomorrow,” Mr. Hooper -replied. He glanced thoughtfully at the sky. “The only thing that -worries me is the weather. If it should rain--” - -“Why, the sun is shining,” Eileen observed. “It doesn’t look a bit like -rain.” - -“Not now it doesn’t. But one never can tell at this season of year. -However, I’m not borrowing trouble.” - -The Brownies were rather sorry that for them the cherry picking had -ended. Although the work had been hard, they had enjoyed it. Likewise, -they had earned considerable money. They wondered if Mr. Hooper would -speak of that. - -Already the orchard owner was consulting the cards in his filing -cabinet. - -“You’ll have to wait while I figure out how much I owe you girls,” he -said. “Shall I make out the sum in one check or several?” - -“To the organization,” Connie told him. “How much have we earned?” - -“That’s hard to say off-hand. Counting the work your mothers did, it -will come to more than fifty dollars. Maybe sixty.” - -“Sixty dollars!” gasped Eileen. “Why, the Brownies are rich!” - -“That’s the most money our organization ever made,” Connie added -proudly. “And we still have our quilt to sell.” - -She told Mr. Hooper about the festival which the Brownies planned to -have the next day. - -“If you aren’t too busy here at the orchard, we would like you to -attend,” she invited him. - -Mr. Hooper thanked Connie and said he certainly would come if he could. - -“It will take me a long while to figure out what I owe you girls,” he -said, after consulting the time cards again. “Tell you what! Why don’t -I mail the check to your leader, Miss Gordon? Or even better, bring it -to your festival?” - -The Brownies and their mothers agreed that this would be an excellent -plan. Already it was growing late and they were tired from such a long -day. - -“We will see you at the festival!” Connie declared as the girls left -the orchard. “Don’t forget, Mr. Hooper!” - -Veve, Connie and Eileen rode home in Mrs. Webber’s car. As they were -driving into the outskirts of the city, Veve suddenly noticed the sky. - -“Oh, see!” she exclaimed, pointing. “The sun is drawing water up into -the clouds! That means it will rain tomorrow!” - -Mrs. Webber slowed the car and took a quick glance at the sky. The -clouds had separated so that the sun shone through. The rays did appear -to be drawing water from the land. - -“The sun doesn’t actually pull water up into the sky,” she told the -girls. - -“Why, you can see it plain as anything!” Veve insisted. - -Mrs. Webber smiled and shook her head. - -“It only appears that way, Veve. Instead, the sun shines upon dust -and millions of water droplets already in the air. They reflect the -sunshine and the rays show plainly against the cloudy sky.” - -“But how did the water get into the air?” Veve asked. - -“I’ll try to make it clear by a simple illustration. Did you ever leave -a shallow pan filled with water out in the yard?” - -“I guess so,” Veve admitted. - -“And later the water nearly all disappeared?” - -“That’s right. Danny, the dog that lives next door to us, drank it up!” - -“Well, if Danny hadn’t come along, the water would have evaporated.” - -“Oh, I’ve seen that happen,” Connie declared. “Once at our house a -plant dish filled with water during a rain. A few days later every drop -was gone.” - -“But how does the water ’vaporate?” Veve demanded. “I never saw it -happen.” - -“The water separates into particles which are called molecules,” -Eileen’s mother explained. “Molecules are too small to be seen. -However, they turn into water vapor which is light enough to be carried -away.” - -Eileen remarked that she would think the air would be damp from the -vapor. - -“Sometimes it does seem so if the vapor is heavy,” her mother replied. -“Water vapor is everywhere. At times a great deal is in the air, and at -other times only a small amount.” - -Rather anxiously, Veve studied the cloudy sky. - -“I just hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” she said. “If anything should -prevent the Mexican pickers from coming to Pa Hooper’s orchard, he -would be almost certain to lose the rest of his fruit.” - -“A rain would ruin our festival too,” added Connie, stretching her -tired feet. “I wonder how Miss Gordon is feeling? If she should be ill, -we would have to postpone the quilt show.” - -The next day the Brownies were very relieved to learn that their leader -felt as well as usual. She assured the girls that the festival would be -held exactly as planned. - -Now, all the mothers had worked very hard to make the affair a success. -They had made fancy paper lanterns decorated with cherries, to string -in the church lawn. - -The table where cherry pie was to be served had been decorated with -garlands of paper cherry blossoms. - -Several booths had been set up for the display of quilts. - -However, the Brownies thought the most interesting feature was the -queen’s throne. A swing had been used. The ropes which hung from a -large maple tree, had been entwined with artificial cherry blossoms. - -Mrs. Davidson had fashioned the paper crown to be bestowed upon the -girl who was chosen queen. The material was elegant, consisting of gold -mat stock shaped to fit a small head. Colored cellophane had been used -to fashion jewels. - -The queen was to be chosen by vote. Only members of the Brownie -organization were privileged to ballot. - -“I hope I’m elected queen,” Veve said, trying the crown on her head. -“See, it fits perfectly!” - -“It fits any of the Brownies,” Jane Tuttle replied. “We’re supposed to -vote for the girl who has been the most helpful to the organization. -The one considered the most resourceful and kind.” - -“I was the one who thought of picking cherries,” Veve pointed out. - -“Oh, Miss Gordon doesn’t mean things like that,” Jane retorted. “She -wants us to select for our queen the Brownie who has been the most -courteous, helpful and fair.” - -“That would be Connie,” Veve said honestly. “She always is polite -to everyone. And I’ve heard Miss Gordon say that she has very good -judgment. I’ll vote for Connie.” - -“Maybe I will too,” Jane returned. “I haven’t decided yet.” - -Throughout the morning and early afternoon the Brownies were kept very -busy. Although their mothers took care of the hardest work, there were -many errands to run. - -By four o’clock, however, everything was in readiness for the festival. - -All of the quilts were arranged for the display. On the long table -stood a long row of freshly baked cherry pies. - -“My, how good they look!” Veve exclaimed. “Only I wish they were -chocolate or lemon or apple. After picking so many cherries, I’m a -little tired of them.” - -At five o’clock the Brownies went home to dress for the festival and to -have an early supper. The affair was supposed to start at six-thirty. - -“Be sure to wear your Brownie uniforms and to be here on time,” Miss -Gordon warned the girls. - -Connie and Veve both were back at the church by six-fifteen. Miss -Gordon told them their assignment was to greet the visitors. After -nearly everyone had arrived they were to take charge of one of the -booths where quilts were displayed. - -“When will we auction off our crazy quilt?” Connie asked. - -Miss Gordon said the coverlet would not be sold until nearly everyone -had arrived. The queen, however, was to be chosen fairly early in the -evening. - -Veve and Connie enjoyed greeting the guests. Very soon, people began to -arrive. - -At first only the parents came, but presently others began to straggle -in. The table where cherry pie was served became very popular. - -“Dear me, I never dreamed so many persons would attend our festival on -such short notice,” Miss Gordon whispered to Connie’s mother. “Do you -suppose we will have enough cherry pies to serve everyone?” - -After that, the mothers cut the pies into smaller pieces. The Brownies -did not take any and neither did Miss Gordon. - -“Oh, see who’s coming!” Veve said suddenly, nudging Connie. - -A tall woman in a stiff sailor hat was walking briskly down the street. - -Under her arm was a large bundle. - -“Who is she?” Connie whispered, for she did not recognize the woman. - -“It’s Miss Adelia Brimborough,” Veve said in an undertone. “She -wouldn’t lend me her quilt for the show. I think she has nerve to come -here now.” - -Seeing the two girls, Miss Brimborough moved directly toward them. - -“Good evening,” she said, addressing Veve. “Here is something for you.” - -She handed over the awkward-shaped bundle. - -“It is my dogwood blossom quilt,” she explained to the startled Veve. -“After you left that day, I thought how selfish it was of me to -refuse to let you have the quilt. The Brownies, I am told, are highly -responsible. So here it is, my dear.” - -“Oh, thank you!” Veve gasped. - -She and Connie took the quilt to add to the display. They spread it out -very carefully, for they knew that Miss Brimborough would hate to have -it soiled. - -“I have three entries now!” Veve laughed. “The autograph quilt, the -Mexican blanket, and now this one!” - -A car had driven up to the curb. Connie saw the driver alight, and -scarcely could believe her eyes. - -“Why, it’s Harold McLean, president of the Rosedale Chamber of -Commerce!” she whispered in awe. “He’s terribly _important_.” - -“Did you invite him, Connie?” - -“No, I didn’t. Maybe he saw one of the posters. You greet him.” - -“No, you,” Veve insisted, hanging back. “I don’t know what to say.” - -Miss Gordon herself came forward to welcome the Chamber of Commerce -president. She was as surprised as the Brownies to see him there. - -“Well, well, WELL,” said Mr. McLean in a hearty voice. “A cherry -festival in full swing, eh? I saw your lighted lanterns and couldn’t -resist stopping. I always was a push-over for cherry pie.” - -“Then do have a large piece,” invited Miss Gordon. She escorted him to -the nearby table. - -Mr. McLean ate one piece of pie and then asked for another. - -“We’re certain to run out if this keeps on,” Connie whispered -anxiously. “And see! Someone else is coming.” - -Another automobile, one which the girls were certain they had seen -before, had driven up to the churchyard. - -The driver stepped out and looked around. As the light shone on his -face, both Veve and Connie recognized him. - -“It’s Carl Wingate!” Veve muttered in an undertone. “Now who invited -him?” - -“I’m sure I didn’t.” - -“Nor I.” - -“Eileen must have done it that day she rode back on the Wingate truck -from the canning factory. Oh, dear, and we’re running out of pie too. I -don’t feel like being nice to him.” - -“We must though, Veve. We’re the official greeters.” - -The two Brownies went forward to speak to the orchard owner. He did not -seem to remember them or to recall that he had refused to give them a -job. - -After that several women came who had donated quilts for the show. -Everyone admired the fine coverlets on display. The Brownies were kept -busy explaining about the different patterns, and showing their own -crazy quilt. - -“I wish Pa Hooper would come and bring our check,” Connie remarked as -the evening wore on. “But I guess he isn’t coming.” - -“Maybe it’s just as well,” Veve hinted. “With Mr. Wingate here, they -might not get along together. I don’t see why _he_ had to come.” - -Presently, Miss Gordon announced that it was time for the Brownies to -choose their queen. Slips of paper were passed out to the six girls. - -Veve was writing Connie’s name on her sheet when she heard laughter -from far down the street. - -An old battered car chugged up to the churchyard. A Mexican man was -driving it. In the automobile were at least a dozen children, dressed -in their brightest. - -“The cherry pickers!” exclaimed Veve. “They did decide to come.” - -“And there is Juan with his brothers and sisters,” added Connie. - -The Mexican children piled out of the car, shouting with laughter. - -However, as they started across the churchyard, Carl Wingate moved -forward to meet them. - -Before either Veve or Connie could greet the newcomers, he walked -directly to them. - -“What do you mean coming here?” he demanded. “You know you’re not -wanted.” - - - - -CHAPTER 13 - -Trouble Afoot - - -As Carl Wingate berated the Mexicans for coming to the cherry festival, -Juan drew himself up proudly. - -“We were invited, Senor.” - -“That’s right,” said Veve. “I asked them myself.” - -The orchard owner did not hear the little girl speak. - -“Get moving!” he ordered the Mexican children again. - -Juan’s face puckered up. For a minute he looked as if he might cry. -Then he became very angry. - -“You will be sorry, Senor,” he muttered. “Very sorry--and soon.” - -The other Mexican children looked unhappy. Without saying a word, they -climbed back into the battered old car. - -“Wait!” called Veve. - -Miss Gordon, who had been discussing one of the quilts with a visitor, -now hastened forward. - -She was too late, though, to speak to the Mexicans. The car had pulled -away. - -“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Miss Gordon murmured. “Not for anything in the -world would I have hurt their feelings.” - -“They had no business being here,” Mr. Wingate said. “They knew it too.” - -“But I invited them,” Veve told him. “Juan is my friend.” - -“The Mexicans can’t be allowed to attend social affairs. They’re making -enough trouble as it is.” - -Miss Gordon disagreed with the orchard owner. However, it was too late -to recall the Mexican children. So she decided to say no more about the -matter just then. - -The festival continued. Everyone had a good time, but the Brownies -could not forget how Juan and his friends had been sent away. The -thought of it made them feel rather unhappy. - -Everyone brightened though when Miss Gordon announced that the festival -queen had been elected. - -She clapped her hands for attention. - -“The votes have been counted,” she said. “I take great pleasure in -announcing that the queen of our festival is--” - -The Brownie leader paused and her gaze wandered from one eager face to -another. All of the girls were hoping that they were the one elected. - -“Our festival queen is Connie Williams!” she completed. “She received -five out of a possible six votes!” - -“Hurrah for Connie!” shouted Veve, and the other Brownies took up the -cry. - -Connie was embarrassed. She had not expected to be chosen. In fact, she -had voted for Veve. All the other girls had written her name on their -slips. - -Miss Gordon placed the golden crown on Connie’s head. The Brownies then -escorted her to her throne where she was to remain until the end of the -festival. - -Next on the program came the auctioning of the crazy quilt. - -The Brownies were eager to make more money for the organization. -Nevertheless, they had worked long hours at their sewing. To see the -quilt put up for sale gave them a queer feeling. - -Connie’s father acted as auctioneer. - -“What am I bid for this fine Brownie quilt?” he asked the crowd. “Who -will start it? Five dollars? Five dollars? Who will bid five dollars?” - -A woman who lived on Rosemary’s street, raised her hand. - -“Five dollars! Who will make it ten?” shouted Connie’s father. - -At once Mr. Davidson nodded his head. Then the first lady bid fifteen -dollars. - -Mr. Davidson dropped out of the bidding, but Mr. McLean said he would -pay twenty dollars for the quilt. - -The Brownies were very proud. Twenty dollars for a quilt! Their quilt! - -“Twenty dollars!” Mr. Williams shouted, trying to get the bid even -higher. “Do I hear twenty-five?” - -He looked directly at the woman who had offered fifteen. But she seemed -to have lost interest. - -Everyone else had stopped bidding except Mr. McLean. - -“Going--going for twenty dollars,” began Connie’s father. - -At that point, Mr. McLean spoke up. - -“I’ll make it twenty-five,” he offered. - -The crowd gasped. Mr. McLean already had bid twenty and his was the -last bid. - -“It’s a fine quilt,” Mr. McLean laughed. “Why, where else could I get -one made by a troop of Brownies? My bid of twenty-five dollars stands.” - -“Sold to Mr. McLean!” shouted Connie’s father. - -He handed the quilt to the Chamber of Commerce man. - -Mr. McLean gave Miss Gordon twenty-five dollars in crisp new bills. -Then he did a most surprising thing. - -He also handed her the Brownie quilt. - -“I really have no use for this, although it is a handsome quilt,” he -said. “The twenty-five dollars is my contribution to the organization. -Keep the quilt, or if you like, put it up and auction it off again.” - -The Brownies all gathered around Miss Gordon. - -“Keep the quilt!” they urged. “Keep it!” - -“Yes, that’s just what we will do,” Miss Gordon nodded. “Our -organization will treasure it always. However, it hardly seems right to -accept twenty-five dollars without giving something in return.” - -“But you have given me something. Two excellent pieces of cherry pie.” -Mr. McLean became serious. “And you’ve also planted an idea in my mind. -A very valuable idea.” - -Miss Gordon did not understand. - -“What sort of idea, Mr. McLean?” - -“Your cherry festival made me think that it might be worth while to -have a large-scale affair--one in which the entire city takes part.” - -“Oh, that would be splendid!” Miss Gordon exclaimed. - -“I feel sure the orchard owners would cooperate,” the Chamber of -Commerce president went on. “We could have several bands and elect the -queen.” - -“Connie?” interposed Veve. She had heard the conversation. - -“For a city-wide festival it might be better to select an older girl,” -Mr. McLean replied. “Not that a Brownie queen wouldn’t be fine.” - -“Being queen of one festival is enough,” laughed Connie from her throne -in the decorated swing. - -“As a climax to the festival we might have a giant cherry pie,” Mr. -McLean resumed. “One that would be as large as a small room and serve -everyone! The pie would contain pounds and pounds of cherries.” - -“I wouldn’t venture to bake such a pie,” laughed Miss Gordon. She was -rather excited by the plan. - -“Oh, a commercial bakery would take over. The pie would not be -difficult. Why, our festival might gain national attention. After all, -Rosedale is in the heart of the cherry country.” - -“It would be worthwhile to advertise the community to the nation,” Miss -Gordon agreed. “However, the festival would have to be held very soon -for the cherry season is nearly over.” - -“Yes, we would need to work fast,” Mr. McLean nodded. “Fortunately, -I have a large organization of trained staff members. Now as to the -cherry pie--I have another idea!” - -By this time all of the Brownies had gathered near to hear what Mr. -McLean proposed. - -“We’ll bake a cherry pie to take to the President!” he announced. - -“To the President of the United States?” Connie asked in awe. - -“What better way of bringing to attention the fact that Rosedale has -the best cherries in the nation?” - -“Oh, it’s a wonderful idea!” Miss Gordon approved. “Quite breath -taking! Do you think the festival could be carried through?” - -“I’m sure of it. We’ll get every organization in Rosedale to help. May -I depend upon your Brownie troop?” - -“How about it, girls?” Miss Gordon asked. Of course, she already knew -what they would say. - -“Yes, yes!” cried the Brownies. - -And Veve, quite carried away with the thought of another festival, -tossed her Brownie cap into the air and shouted: - -“Hurrah, for the cherry festival!” - -Other persons at the churchyard affair thought that Veve was acting -strangely. In a few minutes, however, word went around of Mr. McLean’s -plan. Everyone became very enthusiastic and promised to help. - -“We’ll need exhibits,” Mr. McLean went on outlining his plans. “This -quilt show, I notice, has attracted the interest of women. We’ll want -to repeat the display.” - -“Most of the quilts were borrowed,” Miss Gordon explained. “I think, -though, that we can arrange to have them again.” - -“I’ll loan my autograph quilt,” offered Veve quickly. - -Mr. McLean said that because the cherries were ripening so fast, it -would be necessary to have the festival early in the coming week. - -“My organization will look after everything,” he promised Miss Gordon. -“If the Brownies take responsibility for the quilt show, that’s all -they’ll be called upon to do.” - -Miss Gordon assured the Chamber of Commerce president that the girls -would have a much better quilt display for the next festival. Now that -the organization was through picking at Pa Hooper’s orchard, the girls -would have ample time to search for other coverlets. - -After Mr. McLean had moved on, the Brownies excitedly discussed their -plans. They hoped to obtain at least twenty quilts for their show. - -“I wish Connie or one of the Brownies could be queen at the next -festival as well as this one,” Veve remarked. - -Miss Gordon did not share her view. She felt that Brownies should -remain in the background at any public gathering. - -“But just think of taking a cherry pie to the President of the United -States,” Veve sighed enviously. - -Even though the hour was early, a few persons began to leave the -churchyard. Soon the Brownie festival would be over. - -“It’s been a wonderful success,” Rosemary said happily. “And just -think! We made twenty-five dollars for our crazy quilt.” - -“What’s more, we still have the quilt,” chuckled Jane. “That’s what I -call good business.” - -Connie had been gazing over the thinning crowd. - -“It’s odd Pa Hooper didn’t come,” she remarked. “He said he might bring -our check for the cherry picking.” - -“Probably he was detained at the orchard,” Miss Gordon replied. “Don’t -worry about the check. It may come by mail tomorrow.” - -The Brownies began to gather up paper plates and to pick up napkins -that had blown from the serving table. - -Since the start of the festival, the wind steadily had freshened. Dark -clouds scudded across the sky. - -“It looks a little like rain,” Miss Gordon observed rather anxiously. -“I hope not. A storm tonight might seriously damage Mr. Hooper’s cherry -harvest.” - -“Several other orchards remain to be picked too,” Mr. McLean said to -the Brownie leader. “On the whole, though, the fruit is at the cannery.” - -Connie started to fold up some of the quilts. She wanted to put them -away so that if rain began to fall, they would not be damaged. - -“I don’t think any more people are coming anyhow,” she remarked. - -Just as she spoke, an automobile turned down the street. As the -Brownies watched, it pulled up at the churchyard. - -To the surprise and delight of the girls, Pa Hooper leaped out of the -car. - -“Oh, he did come after all!” Connie exclaimed, starting toward him. - -“And every piece of cherry pie, is gone,” Veve said in dismay. “We -haven’t anything now to serve him.” - -Pa Hooper, however, was not interested in cherry pie. - -He was concerned with far more important and serious matters. - -As the orchard owner strode across the festival grounds, the girls saw -that he was deeply troubled about something. - -“Hello, Mr. Hooper!” Connie greeted him. “We’re glad you were able to -come after all.” - -“Hi, there,” the orchard owner said, but he scarcely noticed the little -girl. “Is Carl Wingate here?” - -The question took Connie by surprise. She could not guess why Mr. -Hooper would ask about his cousin. - -“At his place, they told me he had come here,” Mr. Hooper explained, -his gaze sweeping the group of people on the lawn. - -“Mr. Wingate was here a few minutes ago,” Connie said. “Yes, there he -is now. Over by the table, talking to Mr. McLean!” - -Mr. Hooper walked directly to the two men. - -“Carl, there’s trouble afoot now!” he said, addressing his cousin. - -The owner of the Wingate orchard turned to face Mr. Hooper. - -“Trouble?” he repeated. “What d’you mean?” - -“It’s the Mexican pickers. They’re leaving!” - -“Leaving?” Mr. Wingate demanded. “Nonsense! A bunch of ’em were here -not three quarters of an hour ago.” - -“And that’s what caused the trouble. You ordered them away.” - -“So what? The Mexicans know they’re not allowed to run riot in town. -They’re supposed to stay in their own camp.” - -“That’s why they’re dissatisfied,” Mr. Hooper insisted. “They feel -they have no social rights. For a long time they’ve been dissatisfied. -Sending them away from the festival tonight was the straw that broke -the camel’s back.” - -“The pickers can’t leave,” Mr. Wingate muttered. “There’s a good two -hours work at my place yet. And your orchard!” - -“They’re breaking camp now. A bad storm is rolling up too! Unless we -can stop the pickers and get them to pick tonight, I’ll lose most of my -cherries.” - -Mr. McLean seized Carl Wingate’s arm. “Come on!” he urged. “We can’t -let those pickers leave. We’ve got to get out there right away and stop -them!” - - - - -CHAPTER 14 - -Racing the Storm - - -Mr. Hooper’s startling news brought the festival to an end. - -Several orchard owners besides Carl Wingate were at the affair. They, -too, were alarmed lest the Mexican pickers leave Rosedale and fail to -return another season. - -Not only Mr. McLean, Carl Wingate and Pa Hooper, but several other men -said they would drive at once to the Mexican camp. - -“Can’t we go too?” Veve coaxed Miss Gordon. - -The Brownie leader hesitated. - -“Maybe we could help,” Veve argued. “After all, the Mexicans are -leaving because they weren’t allowed at the festival. And I invited -them.” - -“We might be able to clear up the misunderstanding.” The Brownie leader -spoke thoughtfully. “I certainly don’t want the Mexicans to leave the -community. Nor for that matter to feel that we turned them away from -our social gathering.” - -The mothers and fathers of the Brownies all were interested in seeing -that the cherry pickers did not leave Rosedale. - -Mr. Davidson, Connie’s father, and Mr. Webber offered to drive their -cars to the Mexican camp. Everyone piled into the three automobiles. - -“Drive fast,” Connie urged her father. “If we don’t hurry, we will get -there too late.” - -In a short while, the cars reached the site of the Mexican camp. - -The tents had been taken down and the animals and furniture loaded into -several trucks. - -As the Brownies followed their parents and Miss Gordon along the dark -trail leading from the road, they could hear the sound of men’s voices. - -Carl Wingate was arguing with several of the Mexicans. - -“See here!” he said angrily. “You can’t pull out and leave us in the -lurch. You signed a contract to pick cherries for the season.” - -“Senor, you mistreated us,” one of the Mexicans replied. “You beat my -son, Juan, with a stick. Tonight you drove the children away from the -festival after they had been invited there. We Mexicans are a proud -race.” - -“You’re insolent and lazy!” Wingate retorted. “You’re not breaking -camp because you’ve been mistreated. Oh, no! You’ve learned that -they’re paying a half cent more for pickers up north. That’s why you’re -leaving.” - -“It is not true, Senor.” - -“Unload those trucks!” Wingate ordered. - -“No, Senor.” - -The elderly Mexican eyed the orchard owner for a moment. Then, wrapping -his serape tightly about him, he started to climb into the cab of the -truck. - -Carl Wingate seized him by the shoulder. - -“Listen, you!” he said furiously. “A storm is coming up. If we’re -to save the unpicked fruit, it must be harvested tonight. We need -pickers--now!” - -The Mexican leader remained unmoved. “Senor should have thought of that -before,” he shrugged. “It is too late now.” - -He gave the signal for the trucks to move out of the camp. - -“Wait!” requested Pa Hooper. “I’m sure the orchard owners want to be -fair. If you will pick my trees tonight before the storm breaks, I -will pay a half cent more. I can’t afford it, but I will do it rather -than lose my fruit.” - -“We do not ask more money, Senor. Only better treatment.” - -“You’ll get it at my orchard,” Pa Hooper assured the Mexican leader. - -Juan’s father hesitated, and it seemed for a moment that he might -change his mind. Then he shook his head. - -“It is no use, Senor,” he said. “We have made up our minds. We leave -now.” - -“Well, this writes finish to my plans for the cherry festival,” Mr. -McLean said unhappily. “Too bad!” - -Mr. Hooper also moved back from the truck. He was very discouraged. -Although it was not his fault that the pickers were leaving, he would -lose more than any of the other orchard owners. - -At the far end of the line of trucks, Veve spied Juan sitting on a pile -of canvas with some other children. She hurried over to speak to him. - -“Oh, Juan!” she said. “It isn’t fair for the pickers to leave when Mr. -Hooper needs them so badly.” - -“My father has decided,” answered Juan. “We are unwanted here.” - -“Oh, that isn’t so, Juan. It was all a mistake that you were ordered -away from the festival tonight.” - -“That’s true,” added Connie. She had followed Veve to the truck. “Mr. -Wingate had no right to order you away. After all, it wasn’t his -festival.” - -“The Brownies all wanted you to be there,” Veve said, noticing that -Juan was listening hard to Connie’s arguments. - -“And so did Miss Gordon, our leader,” Connie went on. “She said it -would be a shame if the pickers left the community.” - -“In a way, I will be sorry to go,” Juan admitted. - -“Then why not stay?” Veve urged. - -“It is no fun being kept always near camp. The shop people do not want -us in their stores. We cannot use the beaches.” - -Connie and Veve could not blame the Mexicans for feeling as they did. - -“If it could be fixed up so that the Mexicans could go places and have -fun, then would you stay?” Veve asked. She spoke hurriedly for she saw -that the trucks were starting to pull away. - -“Perhaps we would stay,” Juan agreed. “That would be for my father to -decide.” - -“Then tell him to stop the trucks!” Veve said excitedly. “I will talk -to Mr. McLean and Mr. Hooper.” - -Still Juan hesitated. - -“Oh, please do it,” Veve pleaded. “It isn’t fair for Mr. Hooper to lose -his cherries.” - -Juan suddenly made up his mind to do as the little girl requested. - -Leaping off the back of the truck, he called to his father who was -driving one of the heavily laden vehicles ahead. - -Juan spoke rapidly in Spanish. The girls could not understand what he -said. - -However, Juan’s father not only stopped his truck, but ordered the -others to wait in line. - -Elated, Veve and Connie ran back to Mr. Hooper and Mr. McLean. - -“If you want the Mexicans to stay, tell them that they are invited to -the cherry festival!” she cried. - -“And that they may use the beach near the cannery!” added Connie. - -“Why, of course we’ll be glad to have the Mexicans attend the -festival,” the Chamber of Commerce president replied instantly. “It is -for everyone. Tell you what! We’ll offer them a regular part in the -show!” - -“That would be splendid!” cried Veve. - -“I’m sure they’d like it,” agreed Connie, clapping her hands. “And they -have Mexican wares to display!” - -“A Mexican dancing and singing act would be the ticket,” declared Mr. -McLean. “It would add to the festival too.” - -Veve and Connie ran back to the truck to report to Juan. - -His eyes began to sparkle as the girls told him about Mr. McLean’s -plans for including the Mexicans in the cherry festival. - -“I would like to stay,” he said at once. “Wait! I will ask my father.” - -Juan talked to him for a while. The girls could not understand what was -said, for it was in Spanish. - -But Juan’s father then spoke to other men among the pickers. Finally, -after much arguing and gesturing, the Mexicans approached Mr. Hooper -and Mr. McLean. - -“Is it true, Senor, that my people will be welcome at the cherry -fiesta?” he inquired. - -Mr. McLean assured him that it was so. He promised also, that the -Mexicans would receive better treatment from the orchard owners. - -“And does Senor Wingate agree to this?” Juan’s father asked. - -Mr. Wingate had no choice but to say that he did. - -Grudgingly, he promised that he never again would strike any of the -pickers, even if they annoyed him. He said, too, that he would allow -them longer lunch hours when they returned to the orchard next season. - -“Well, that’s settled,” Mr. McLean declared in relief. “We’ll get the -fruit in, and hold the festival after all.” - -The night was coming on very dark. Even in the glow of the camp -lanterns, the sky seemed much blacker than usual. - -“That storm is moving this way,” Mr. Wingate said, scanning the -fast-moving clouds. “We must get the cherries into the shed. Drive your -trucks direct to my orchard and let’s get at ’em. There’s no time to -lose.” - -Juan’s father did not like the order. - -“No, Senor,” he said. “First, we will finish the picking in Mr. -Hooper’s orchard.” - -“But you haven’t completed your work for me,” Mr. Wingate said angrily. -“It will only take an hour or so.” - -Mr. McLean broke into the conversation. - -“It’s only fair that Mr. Hooper should have a chance at the pickers,” -he said. “He’s been forced to wait on you several days. Also, if the -storm breaks, he has more to lose.” - -Mr. Wingate did not like the arrangement. But he could do nothing about -it. - -The Mexicans drove at once to the Hooper orchard. Soon the trees were -dotted with lighted lanterns as the professional strippers went to work -with a will. - -“Will you save your fruit, Mr. Hooper?” Miss Gordon asked the orchard -owner anxiously. - -With the Brownies and their parents, she had stopped at the shed to see -how the work was progressing. - -“I hope so,” Mr. Hooper answered. “But it will be nip and tuck. That -storm is rolling up fast, and it looks like it will be a bad one when -it breaks.” - -“Why don’t we all pick?” Connie proposed. - -Miss Gordon had been thinking of the same thing. She had hesitated -to suggest it, however, knowing that it was after eight o’clock. The -Brownies, she knew, should be home in their beds. - -“I could use a dozen more pickers,” Mr. Hooper said before the Brownie -leader could reply. “If I had them, I might beat the storm!” - -“May we pick?” Connie appealed to Miss Gordon. - -“Please let us!” urged Jane and Veve. - -Miss Gordon replied that it was not a matter for her to decide. She -thought the parents of each girl should make the decision. - -“Connie may pick for a while,” her father answered at once. -“Furthermore, I’ll help her!” - -“And I’ll race Eileen to see who can strip the most cherries!” declared -Mr. Webber. - -All of the Brownies were granted permission to pick. Veve had no -father, but her mother was there. Even though Mrs. McGuire had on a -good dress, she wanted to help too. - - “We’re the Brownies, - Here’s our aim-- - Lend a hand - -and play the game!” warbled Veve crazily as she carried her four gallon -pail into the orchard. - -The other Brownies took up the song, singing it with a will. - -Soon, in another section of the orchard, the Mexican pickers also began -to sing. Everyone worked feverishly. - -The warm night air had turned slightly colder. Connie, who was picking -as fast as she could, felt a gust of cool wind on her neck. - -Pulling her sweater closer about her, she glanced up into the sky. The -black clouds were fairly boiling. - -“The storm certainly is coming!” Mr. Williams said. “It’s not far off -either!” - -In the nearby trees, everyone began to strip even faster. No one took -time to go back and forth to the shed. - -Mr. Hooper himself collected the buckets. - -“Good work!” he praised the Brownies and their fathers. “We may beat -the storm yet, but it will be close.” - -“How are the Mexican pickers doing?” Connie’s father inquired. - -“They’ve gone at it with a will,” the orchard owner reported. “Never -saw ’em strip trees so fast. If this storm just gives us a break, we’ll -make it.” - -The storm, however, drew closer and closer. Suddenly, the clouds -overhead parted as a flash of lightning made the orchard as bright as -day. - -Connie uttered a squeal of terror. She was not really frightened, but -the brilliant light had startled her. - -“Better hike to the shed,” her father warned. - -Even as he spoke, Connie felt the first drop of rain on her hand. - -Other large drops began to splatter through the leaves of the cherry -trees. - -Mr. Hooper came hurrying from the shed. “This is it,” he said. “All the -Brownies take your buckets to the shed.” - -Connie and the other girls raced for shelter. Their fathers stayed a -few minutes and then they too ran to get in out of the rain. - -The Mexican pickers, however, did not seem to mind. Nearly all of them -stayed in the orchard, picking until their tree was stripped clean. - -Juan was laughing as he tramped into the shed, his clothing soaked. His -feet were muddy too, but his pail was brimming full of cherries. - -“That’s the last of them,” he told Veve. “Mr. Hooper won’t lose thirty -pounds because of the storm. The orchard is nearly bare.” - -The rain now was falling so fast, that the Brownies could not make a -dash for the automobiles. Instead, they waited in the shed. - -Mr. Hooper was very pleased to have saved his fruit. He thanked -everyone for the help he had received. - -“Here is the money I owe the Brownies and their helpers,” he said, -giving Miss Gordon a check. “It doesn’t half express my appreciation.” - -The Brownies gathered around their leader to read the amount of the -check. - -“Seventy-two dollars and forty-nine cents!” Sunny Davidson exclaimed. -“Why that’s almost a hundred dollars when you count the money we made -on our crazy quilt!” - -“Did we really pick that many cherries?” Veve asked. - -“You certainly did with the help of your parents,” Mr. Hooper replied. -“Next year you’ll be able to earn more--” - -He checked himself and finished rather lamely: “that is, you will if -you pick for me.” - -“Of course, we’ll work for you!” declared Veve before she stopped to -think. “You wouldn’t catch us stripping for Mr. Wingate.” - -The remark embarrassed the Brownies. Too late, Connie nudged Veve as a -hint to keep silent. - -“I’ll certainly want the Brownies to work for me,” Mr. Hooper said in -a hearty voice. “Couldn’t have a better crew! The trouble is--I won’t -have an orchard.” - -For a moment no one made any reply. The Brownies did not like to think -of Mr. Hooper losing his place. - -“If I could hold on to the orchard, I’d rebuild the house,” Mr. Hooper -went on. “I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’d like to keep the -place ’til the end of my days. But it can’t be.” - -“Won’t Mr. Wingate consider selling, even if he does take over the -orchard according to the terms of the will?” Miss Gordon inquired. - -“Not a chance,” Mr. Hooper told her. “I talked with him only yesterday. -Carl Wingate doesn’t want money. It’s this orchard he’s after--it’s one -of the best in the valley.” - -The rain had slackened. After peering out the shed windows, the -Brownies decided they could make a dash for the parked cars. - -“I guess we should be going,” said Miss Gordon rather reluctantly. “It -is late for the children.” - -Even then, she did not make a move to leave. Nor did the Brownies. - -In truth, they were sorry to say good-bye to Mr. Hooper. Unless they -made a special trip to the orchard, they might not see him again. - -They were certain it would never be as much fun to pick cherries for -another orchard owner. - -“How long will you be able to keep your place here?” Mrs. Davidson -asked the old man. - -“That’s hard to tell,” he replied. “As soon as the will is probated, -I’ll probably turn over the orchard.” - -“Is there no possibility that your sister’s will can be set aside?” - -“I was talking to Judge Hutchins about it,” Mr. Hooper said. “I could -fight it out in the courts, but it would make an ugly mess. Besides, -except for Ella’s first will, I can’t produce any of her handwriting.” - -“It seems unfair to lose your beautiful orchard,” Mrs. Davidson -murmured. “I wish we could do something to help.” - -“It’s just one of those things, ma’am.” Mr. Hooper tried to speak -cheerfully. “I’ll find another place. Not in Rosedale though. I intend -to move far away.” - -“At least you’ll have a good profit from your cherries.” - -“Yes, I’ve done well,” Mr. Hooper agreed. “No complaint on that score. -But if it hadn’t been for the Brownies, I’d have lost all my profit.” - -The orchard owner walked with the girls and their parents to the cars. - -Only a few drops of rain now fell, for the storm had passed over as -quickly as it had come. - -Across the roadway, the wind had severely tossed Mr. Wingate’s cherry -trees. Fruit from those which had not been completely stripped lay on -the ground. - -“I’m sorry for Carl Wingate,” Mr. Hooper remarked. “He didn’t lose much -of his harvest though. Next year he’ll treat the Mexican pickers more -kindly.” - -Juan and a half dozen other Mexican children ran over to the car to say -good-bye to the Brownies. They had enjoyed picking cherries in the rain. - -“Don’t forget the festival next week,” Veve reminded her little friend. - -“Oh, no, Senorita,” Juan returned, flashing his wide smile. “We will -stay in camp here until after the fiesta is over. Then we travel north -to pick more cherries.” - -“And next year you’ll be back again?” - -“_Si, Senorita._ We will return.” - -Tired and sleepy, Veve snuggled into the comfortable cushions of Mr. -Davidson’s car. - -What an exciting night it had been for the Brownies! Mr. Hooper’s -harvest had been saved and the Mexican pickers coaxed to remain. - -Best of all, the cherry festival was still ahead! - - - - -CHAPTER 15 - -Washington Calling! - - -During the next few days the Brownies were busier than ever before in -the history of their troop. - -With the aid of their fathers and mothers, they built a booth which was -set up on the public square. - -The girls then decorated it with colored crepe paper, and put up -posters so that everyone would know about the Rosedale Troop quilt -display. - -“Invite all your friends too,” Miss Gordon urged. “We want everyone to -come and learn what Brownies can do when they work together.” - -From neighbors and acquaintances, the girls obtained the promise of -many beautiful quilts for the show. - -Everyone, it seemed, wanted to make Rosedale’s first cherry festival a -great success. - -With Mr. McLean in charge, plans already were moving forward very -smoothly. Newspapers carried front page stories about the coming -festival. The Brownies were given full credit for having started the -idea. That, of course, made them feel very important. - -The festival was to be on such a large scale that it fairly took away -the Brownies’ breath. - -Not one high school band, but _six_, were to furnish music. - -A wooden platform was built in the center of the park. Here, a special -program would be given. - -Each high school was to put on a number, and there were several -professional acts. - -Then, the Mexican pickers had their place on the program. Mr. McLean -told Miss Gordon that he was astonished to find such talent among them. -The Mexicans were providing their own guitar music, while several -talented young men and women would dance in colorful costumes. - -“Oh, it’s going to be perfectly grand!” Veve told Connie. “I wonder who -will be chosen queen?” - -Now several very pretty young women had given their names to the -committee. They said they would like to have the honor of taking the -cherry pie to Washington. - -As yet, no one knew who the lucky person would be. A ballot box had -been set up on the public square. At the proper time, those who wished -to, would be given a chance to vote for their favorite. - -“How wonderful it would be to go to Washington,” sighed Veve enviously. -“Just think of meeting the President of the United States!” - -“And seeing the White House,” added Connie in awe. - -“I would like to go when the Japanese cherry blossoms are in bloom,” -chimed in Sunny. “It must be an even prettier sight than our own -orchards.” - -“I want to see the Washington Monument,” Rosemary declared. “It rises -555 feet straight into the sky.” - -Jane said the point of interest which would draw her would be the -Jefferson Memorial. She also wanted to view the Red and Green rooms of -the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. - -All the Brownies, in fact, had a different reason for desiring to -see the great city. Of course they were only talking, for they never -expected to make such a long trip. - -Now it seemed to the Brownies that the day set for the cherry festival -never would come. Actually, it was close at hand. However, every hour -and minute of waiting seemed very long. - -And then at last, the awaited red letter day arrived! - -In their separate homes, the Brownies awoke with a wonderful feeling -that many exciting events lay ahead. This day really was to be their -lucky one, but of course, they could not know that. - -At the McQuire home, Veve opened her eyes in a semi-dark bedroom. She -knew it must be morning because she could hear saucy sparrows chirping -on the window sill. The room, though, was shadowy. - -“Oh, dear!” thought the little girl. “I hope it isn’t going to rain and -ruin the cherry festival.” - -For a moment she lay very still, wishing hard that the day would be a -bright one. - -Then she leaped out of bed and ran to the window. The Venetian blind -had been pulled down and was flapping in the breeze. - -Veve raised it and looked out. The sun was shining brightly! - -“Oh, it will be a fine day!” she told herself in relief. - -Veve was afraid she already had wasted valuable time. Quickly she put -on her pinchecked Brownie uniform, a crisp fresh tie, and brushed her -hair until it shone. - -When she skipped down the stairs, her mother had breakfast waiting. - -“How nice you look, Veve,” she said. “Oh, by the way, Miss Gordon -telephoned before you were up.” - -“What did she say, Mother?” - -“The Brownies are to meet in the public square at ten o’clock.” - -“What time is it now?” Veve asked anxiously. - -“Only a few minutes after eight. You have plenty of time.” - -“I want to be there early, Mother,” Veve said, eating her breakfast of -scrambled eggs and toast as rapidly as she could. “Is my quilt ready?” - -“Yes, dear, and I must say it looks very nice now that I’ve washed it. -I’ve rolled it into a tight bundle. I think you can manage it.” - -“Oh, a quilt is easy to carry,” laughed Veve. - -As soon as she had finished breakfast and attended to several errands, -the little girl was ready to leave. - -As she skipped out of the house with her large bundle, she saw Connie -Williams also coming out of her residence with a similar looking -package. - -“Hi!” shouted Connie. “Want to ride down town? My mother will take both -of us in her car.” - -Veve was glad to get a ride. A little farther on, Mrs. Williams picked -up Eileen and Jane also. - -At the public square, the girls found Miss Gordon already there. -Rosemary arrived only a few minutes later. - -“Where’s Sunny?” asked Veve. - -“Oh, she’ll be along,” Miss Gordon said. “It’s still quite early.” - -The Brownies busied themselves arranging their booth. - -Each quilt was spread out attractively and the name of the pattern -pinned to it. - -In addition to the Album quilt donated by Rosemary’s mother, there were -many others--Eileen’s Pine Tree pattern--Jane’s Ship’s Wheel and the -velvet and silk one brought by Sunny. - -Many new patterns were shown too. All were very beautiful. - -One quilt was called The Double Wedding Ring, and another, Morning -Star. - -Grandmother’s Flower Garden also attracted much attention with its -array of delicate colors. - -Of course, the Brownies liked best of all their own crazy quilt which -occupied the central position in the fine display. - -Veve’s favorite quilt was her own--the autograph. Now that the coverlet -had been washed, the writing on each block stood out quite plainly. - -The names, however, meant nothing to the little girl. She was certain -the persons to whom they once had belonged, could not have lived in -Rosedale for a long while. - -Toward noon, the crowd began to gather for the festival. Becoming -hungry, the Brownies wandered about to sample food sold at other -booths, and to view the huge cherry pie on display. - -“What a giant pie!” Veve observed, pausing with the other Brownies -before it. “It must contain several hundred pounds of cherries!” - -“And just think!” added Eileen. “Maybe we picked some of them!” - -“I’m hungry now,” Connie declared. “I wish they would cut the pie right -away.” - -The girls obtained hot sandwiches at another booth. After that they -listened to the bands and watched several acts of entertainment in the -center of the square. - -When the Mexican pickers came on in their festive costumes to play -music and dance, the Brownies clapped hard. So did nearly everyone in -the audience. - -“The pickers had the very best number,” Veve declared proudly. “I guess -Mr. McLean and the others are glad now that they invited them to be in -the festival.” - -After the number was over, Juan came through the crowd searching for -the Brownies. - -He handed Veve a little package. - -“This is something I made for you, Senorita,” he said. - -Veve opened the package. Inside was the figure the little boy had -carved from wood. Very cleverly, he had fashioned a saint in long robes. - -Veve was pleased with the gift and told Juan so. She was sorry she had -nothing to offer him in return. - -“You have given me much,” he assured her warmly. “After the fiesta, my -people leave for the north.” - -“You’re going with them, Juan?” - -“Oh, yes, Senorita.” - -Veve told her friend she would be sorry to see him leave Rosedale. - -“I will return next year when the cherries are ripe,” he assured her. -“Until then, _adios_.” The little boy bowed politely, and the next -moment had melted into the crowd. - -After a while, Veve, Connie and Eileen went back to the quilt booth to -relieve the other Brownies who were working there. - -A steady stream of visitors, largely women, came by to look at the -quilts and examine them. - -Veve was rather disappointed because so many persons appeared more -interested in the bright colored ones than in her autograph quilt. - -“Don’t you mind,” Connie said to cheer her. “It really is a fine quilt. -The very oldest one in our collection.” - -Presently, Mrs. Evans, a lady who lived only six doors from the -Williams’ home, came to the booth. - -She seemed interested in the quilts and spent a long time examining -each one. However, she barely glanced at the autograph patch. - -“Here is a nice one with names on it,” Veve pointed it out. - -“Dear me, it has the appearance of a very old quilt,” remarked Mrs. -Evans. “I wonder if the names of any of my friends are embroidered or -written on it? I knew many of Rosedale’s old settlers, you know.” - -The lady picked up a corner of the quilt to read some of the names. - -“‘Flora Winequist,’” she repeated aloud. “Why, I remember her. She died -two years ago, rest her soul.” - -“Here’s another old sounding name!” Connie exclaimed. “‘Hannah -Goodhue.’ Her name is written in ink, but it’s still legible.” - -“‘Prudence Smith,’” Veve read aloud. “‘Georgia Doan. Ella--’” - -“I don’t recall any of those names,” said Mrs. Evans. - -Veve, however, had forgotten the lady’s presence. - -Very much excited, she was staring at the quilt block as if unable to -believe her own eyesight. - -“Why, Veve, what is the matter?” Connie inquired. Her little friend had -such a peculiar expression on her face, she was afraid she might be ill. - -“See this quilt block!” - -“‘Ella Cooper,’” Connie read aloud. She could not understand the -reason for Veve’s strange behavior. - -“No! No! It isn’t Ella Cooper,” the other insisted impatiently. “Look -again!” - -This time Connie peered more carefully at the handwriting on the white -block. - -“‘Ella Hooper,’” she corrected. “Hooper--Veve, do you suppose--?” - -“Ella Hooper was Pa Hooper’s sister!” - -The girls were delighted by their discovery. Leaving Miss Gordon and -Sunny Davidson in charge of the booth, they dashed off to see if they -could find Mr. Hooper anywhere in the crowd. - -Finally, they located him at one of the stands, eating a ham sandwich, -and drinking coffee. - -“Oh, Mr. Hooper, come with us!” Veve urged the orchard owner. - -Mr. Hooper put down his cup of coffee. “What’s this?” he asked in -surprise. - -“We want you to see my autograph quilt!” Veve said, tugging at his hand. - -“Now you know I’m no judge of quilts,” Mr. Hooper protested, holding -back. - -“Oh, we don’t want you to judge one,” Connie interposed. “We want you -just to see a name on it.” - -“A name?” The orchard owner was deeply puzzled. “Let me finish this cup -of coffee first and then I’ll come.” - -“The name on the quilt block is Ella Hooper,” supplied Veve. - -“And it’s in her own handwriting,” finished Connie. - -Mr. Hooper completely forgot his coffee then. He gave the two girls his -undivided attention. - -“Let’s get this straight,” he said. “You have a quilt with my sister’s -signature on it?” - -“We aren’t sure,” Connie admitted. “But the name is the same as -hers--Ella Hooper.” - -“We’ll look at that quilt right now,” Mr. Hooper declared. “It’s barely -possible the name may be Ella’s, because she liked to make coverlets -and fancy work.” - -The Brownies escorted the orchard owner back to the booth. - -During their absence, Miss Gordon and the other girls had been -examining the autograph quilt carefully. The date upon which the -coverlet had been completed was stitched in the lower right-hand corner. - -“My sister was alive at that time,” Mr. Hooper said, noticing the -date. “And it seems to me she was working on an autograph quilt to give -to a friend.” - -“Here is the signature,” Miss Gordon said, spreading the quilt over the -counter. - -Mr. Hooper glanced at it and said without an instant’s hesitation: - -“There’s no question about it! This is my sister’s handwriting!” - -Miss Gordon asked if it appeared to be the same as her signature upon -the will. - -“Why, it’s a dead-ringer for the way she signed her name on the -document that left me the orchard,” Mr. Hooper replied. “But it doesn’t -much resemble the handwriting on that later will which Carl Wingate -claims is genuine.” - -“Then doesn’t this prove the second one was false?” Connie asked. - -Mr. Hooper smiled and kept staring at the quilt block. He was thinking -very hard. - -“I’ve always been certain Carl Wingate’s will was a forgery,” he said. -“As far as I’m concerned, this provides positive proof. But the courts -might decide differently.” - -“Why?” asked Veve. - -“Well, I’m uncertain a quilt would be admitted as evidence.” - -“Then finding your sister’s name on the block won’t be any help in -saving your orchard?” Connie asked. She was deeply disappointed. - -“I don’t know,” Mr. Hooper admitted. “It might be--it all depends on -how hard a fight Wingate is inclined to put up.” - -At that moment, Veve saw the other orchard owner wandering through the -crowd. - -“There he is now,” she pointed him out. - -Mr. Wingate was walking away from the Brownie quilt booth. However, he -turned around when Pa Hooper called his name. - -“Come over here a minute, Carl,” his cousin requested. - -Rather reluctantly, Carl Wingate walked over to the booth. He could not -understand why his cousin had called him. - -“You wanted me?” he asked. - -“Yes, we want you to see a quilt in this display,” said Mr. Hooper. -“An autograph quilt. You will note that the blocks bear the names and -signatures of their makers.” - -Carl Wingate gazed at the faded coverlet without understanding what -the older man meant. - -“I never was much interested in quilts,” he began. “Now if my wife were -here--” - -Mr. Hooper pointed to the block which bore his sister’s name. - -“Look at this one,” he suggested. “I think you’ll find it interesting.” - -Mr. Wingate stared at the block a moment. Then he became somewhat -flustered. But he would not admit that he was worried. - -“Well, what about it?” he asked. - -“You’ll observe that this is a sample of my sister’s writing,” Pa -Hooper told him. “Also, that it does not look much like the signature -on the will you claim was the last one she signed.” - -Mr. Wingate’s face flushed with anger. He now seemed quite confused. - -“What does this prove?” he blustered. “Not a thing! A person’s -signature never appears exactly the same.” - -“True,” agreed Mr. Hooper. “But in this case, the handwriting on the -quilt only confirms what I long suspected--that the will you produced -was a fraud.” - -“That’s not so,” Mr. Wingate denied. “You knew all my sister’s -possessions were destroyed in the fire. So you thought you could claim -to have discovered the new will, and no one could prove otherwise.” - -The men began to argue about the matter. At first their voices were -fairly quiet, but gradually they spoke in louder and louder tones. -Miss Gordon and the Brownies were quite distressed. Other persons were -glancing curiously at the two men. - -Drawn by the argument, an elderly gentleman sauntered over to the -booth. Connie recognized him as Judge Hutchins of Probate Court. - -The judge stood for a while listening to the two men talk. Then he -picked up the autograph quilt and studied the signature of Ella Hooper. - -“Wingate,” he said, “if I were you, I’d withdraw that will which gives -you title to the Hooper orchard.” - -“And be cheated out of my rightful inheritance?” Wingate demanded -furiously. - -The judge shrugged. “It’s up to you to decide what you want to do,” -he replied. “But if I were in your place, I’d forget the matter. This -appears to be the authentic signature of Ella Hooper. Offhand, without -comparing it with the name which is signed to the two wills, I would -say it more closely resembles the signature on the document already -filed in our court.” - -“I’m being cheated,” Mr. Wingate muttered. - -“Do as you please,” the judge said. “Take the matter into court if you -like. However, if it should be proven that the signature on your will -is a forgery, your cousin then could bring action against you.” - -Mr. Wingate knew that he would have no chance in court. - -“You have the best of me,” he said angrily. “Thanks to this quilt! Keep -your stupid orchard! I have enough trouble looking after my own!” - -“Then you’ll drop your claim to the property?” his cousin demanded. - -“I’ll drop it, because I don’t want to have a long court fight,” Mr. -Wingate snapped. “But I’m not admitting that the will isn’t a genuine -one.” - -Glaring at the judge and his cousin, the orchard owner strode off into -the crowd. - -Mr. Hooper then turned to the Brownies, thanking them for finding the -quilt and saving his orchard. - -“Oh, it was Veve who did it,” Connie said, giving full credit to her -friend. “The autograph quilt is all hers.” - -“But I might never have noticed the name on the block if it hadn’t been -for the quilt show,” Veve replied. “I think all the Brownies deserve -credit.” - -Mr. Hooper seemed to think so too. At any rate, he thanked each girl in -turn. - -“You don’t know what this means to me,” he said. “I hated the thought -of giving up that orchard as I’ve worked hard for many years to make it -productive. Now I’ll be able to remain there.” - -“Will you rebuild your house?” Rosemary asked him. - -“Indeed, I will. When it is finished, we’ll have a house warming party. -The Brownies are invited!” - -“We’ll be there,” promised Veve. - -Not only did Mr. Hooper thank the Brownies, but afterwards, he told his -friends how the girls had saved his orchard. - -In turn, they told other persons, until it seemed that almost everyone -at the cherry festival heard about the affair. - -The Brownies were asked so many questions they were glad when it came -time to select the queen of the fiesta. Everyone gathered near the -platform where the election was to be held. - -“I wonder why folks keep looking at us and whispering?” Rosemary -remarked uneasily. “I don’t like it!” - -Mr. McLean now read off the names of several girls who hoped to be -chosen queen. These candidates had entered their names with the -committee. - -“If you wish, you may write in additional candidates,” Mr. McLean -instructed. “The queen--” he paused for emphasis--“or queens, we feel, -should be truly representative of Rosedale. The festival committee -wishes to send to Washington the person or persons who have done the -most to make this affair a success.” - -The Brownies were somewhat puzzled by the Chamber of Commerce -president’s remarks. - -“How could several persons be queen?” Connie speculated. - -“I don’t see what he meant,” Veve added, equally mystified. - -Persons who cast their votes seemed to know, for they smiled in a most -peculiar way as one after another, they dropped their folded ballots -into the box. - -The Mexican pickers were allowed to vote too. In a group they marched -to the box and dropped in their slips. - -“You’ll be surprised when you learn who is queen of the fiesta,” Juan -told Veve. - -“Tell me!” - -“You wait and see,” Juan laughed. - -Veve wondered then if some of the people might be voting for Connie, -even though her name had not been on the list. But Connie, she thought, -would be too young to take a cherry pie to Washington by herself. - -The Brownies became very curious indeed, and scarcely could wait until -the votes were counted. - -Finally, the task was completed. Again Mr. McLean mounted the platform. -He was smiling broadly. - -“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, clapping his hands for attention. “I -shall now give you the results of the balloting.” - -The Brownies moved closer so that they would not miss the important -announcement. - -Mr. McLean read off the names of five leading candidates. “Miss Marana -Jones, 43 votes. Miss Eva Parkhurst, 51 votes. Miss Esther Illman, 64 -votes. Miss Geraldine Gainsworth, 75 votes. Miss Martha Fellows, 79 -votes--” - -A few persons in the audience began to clap, for Miss Fellows was the -leading candidate. Only the five girls had given their names to the -committee. Even the Brownies thought that she had been elected as the -festival queen. - -Mr. McLean, however, held up his hand in a signal for silence. - -“Ladies and gentlemen,” he boomed. “We also have write-in candidates. I -now give you _The Winner_ with 1,398 votes--” - -The crowd became very quiet. Everyone listened. - -“THE BROWNIES!” announced the Chamber of Commerce president. - -Everyone began to whistle and clap and shout. The Brownies were so -taken by surprise, they scarcely knew what to think. - -It did not seem possible that they had been elected to the honor! - -“But we can’t all be queen,” Jane whispered uneasily. “There must be -some mistake.” - -“Mr. McLean announced that several persons could be chosen,” Connie -recalled. “Only we didn’t even enter our names!” - -The girls crowded about Miss Gordon, who, oddly enough, seemed very -little surprised that the organization had been selected instead of a -single queen. - -“You knew it all the time!” Veve accused the teacher. “Didn’t you?” - -“Mr. McLean talked to me about it earlier today,” the Brownie leader -confessed. “He convinced me that inasmuch as the idea for a cherry -festival originated with the organization, it would be suitable for the -troop to take the cherry pie to Washington.” - -“You didn’t tell us anything about it,” Connie said. - -“At first it seemed very uncertain that the Brownies could be elected -on a write-in basis,” the teacher explained. “But I underestimated Mr. -McLean. I think he must have told everyone to vote for the Brownies.” - -“And so did Mr. Hooper,” added a bystander. “Also, the Mexican pickers -voted solidly for the troop.” - -“Just think of going to Washington!” Connie exclaimed, her eyes -star-bright at the thought. “Is it really true, Miss Gordon?” - -“Yes, I’ve given my consent,” the Brownie leader nodded. “And so have -your parents.” - -“Will you go with us?” Rosemary asked anxiously. - -“Yes, that is the plan. All expenses will be paid and we’re to stay -nearly a week.” - -“Will we really see the President?” Eileen asked in awe. - -“Indeed, yes,” smiled Miss Gordon. “And the White House as well.” - -“I want to visit the Red Room!” shouted Sunny. “And see the swimming -pool!” - -“I want to visit the mint where the money is made!” laughed Eileen. - -All of the girls thought of dozens of things they intended to see and -do. - -The crowd began to clap and to call for the Brownies to appear on the -stage. - -Miss Gordon lined up the girls and had them march single file onto the -platform. In their pinchecked uniforms, each with a jaunty little brown -beanie, they looked very nice indeed. - -Mr. McLean then made a speech, telling the girls how grateful Rosedale -was for their efforts in making the cherry festival a success. - -The Brownies wanted to tell him that it had not been work at all--only -good fun. However, with so many persons looking at them, they were a -trifle embarrassed. - -“Accept this plaque as a token of the city’s appreciation,” the Chamber -of Commerce president resumed. He held up a large bronze badge in the -shape of a cherry blossom. “The name of the Rosedale Brownie Troop will -be engraved upon it.” - -Mr. McLean waited for one of the girls to step forward. No one wanted -to do it. Eileen nudged Jane and Jane nudged Veve who gave Connie a -little push. So she had to take the plaque. - -“Thank you so much, Mr. McLean,” she said, speaking as well as if she -had planned her speech. “In behalf of the Brownie organization, may I -say that we deeply appreciate the honor? We’ll do our best to bring -credit to Rosedale!” - -“You’ll do it too!” approved Mr. McLean. “We couldn’t have chosen -a better set of queens if we had scoured three counties! On to -Washington!” - -You may be certain that the Chamber of Commerce president’s words made -the Brownies very happy and proud. - -At a signal from Miss Gordon, they all raised their hands in the -Brownie salute and stood for a moment at attention. - -“Hurrah for the Brownies!” shouted the crowd. - -“Give my regards to the President!” joked some one in the vast audience. - -The President! Even the thought of meeting such a great person made the -chills run up and down the spines of the Brownies. - -Their organization had won the highest honor any troop ever could -achieve. Not only would they see and talk to the President, but they -would have a full week at the nation’s Capital. - -“On to Washington!” laughed Mr. McLean. - -“On to Washington!” shouted the Brownies. - -With a vision of wonderful times ahead, they were ready, you see, to -start at any moment. - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Other changes to the original -publication have been made as follows: - -Page 25 -I am Wingate. What d’ you want? _changed to_ -I am Wingate. What d’you want? - -Page 156 -remarked that she yould think _changed to_ -remarked that she would think - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry -Festival, by Mildred A. 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Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: April 8, 2016 [EBook #51693] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROWNIE SCOUTS IN CHERRY FESTIVAL *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="hidehand"> -<div class="figcenter width500"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" height="714" alt="Cover" /> -</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="divider" /> -<h1>The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival</h1> - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider2" /> -<div class="figcenter width500"> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="500" height="792" alt="" /> -<div class="caption">“‘Ella Cooper’,” Connie read aloud.<br /> - -Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival (<em>See Page <a href="#image">201</a></em>)</div> -</div> -</div> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<p class="center p180">The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival</p> - -<p class="center p150 mt3">by<br /> -Mildred A. Wirt</p> - -<p class="center p120 mt3">Illustrated</p> - -<p class="center p150 mt3">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY<br /> -<span class="wordspacing">Publishers New</span> York</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1950, by</span><br /> -CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY</p> - -<hr class="short" /> -<p class="center"><em>All Rights Reserved</em></p> -<hr class="short" /> - -<p class="center p120 mt3">THE BROWNIE SCOUTS IN THE CHERRY FESTIVAL</p> - -<p class="center mt3">Printed in the United States of America</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> - -<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents</h2> - -<table summary="Contents"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">1</td> -<td class="tdl">Crazy Quilt</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#i">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">2</td> -<td class="tdl">Cherry Pickers Wanted</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ii">20</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">3</td> -<td class="tdl">Over the Fence</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iii">36</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">4</td> -<td class="tdl">“Tail-ender”</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iv">46</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">5</td> -<td class="tdl">The Brownies Lend a Hand</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#v">63</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">6</td> -<td class="tdl">A Missing Coverlet</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vi">73</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">7</td> -<td class="tdl">Pa Hooper’s Trunk</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vii">86</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">8</td> -<td class="tdl">Duck’s Foot in the Mud</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#viii">98</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">9</td> -<td class="tdl">Veve’s Autograph Quilt</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ix">109</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10</td> -<td class="tdl">At the Cannery</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#x">118</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">11</td> -<td class="tdl">The Mexican Camp</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xi">128</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">12</td> -<td class="tdl">A Quilt Show</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xii">145</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">13</td> -<td class="tdl">Trouble Afoot</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiii">164</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">14</td> -<td class="tdl">Racing the Storm</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiv">176</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">15</td> -<td class="tdl">Washington Calling!</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xv">192</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="i" id="i">CHAPTER 1</a></small><br /> -Crazy Quilt</h2> - - -<p class="noi">STITCH-stitch-stitch.</p> - -<p>Six needles nibbled at the gay scraps of cotton cloth. Six pairs of -scissors went snip, snip, snip as the Brownie Scouts worked at their -sewing in the Williams’ living room.</p> - -<p>The girls were making a crazy quilt. Dark-eyed Veve McGuire, who hated -to sew, declared that the task was as silly as the quilt’s name.</p> - -<p>“Oh, bother!” she exclaimed as her thread tangled into an ugly knot. -“Why not pitch this old thing and think of an easier way to earn money?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t mind sewing,” piped up Rosemary Fritche, who always liked to -be cooperative.</p> - -<p>“Neither do I,” chimed in Connie Williams. A leader among the Brownies, -she had worked very hard to make the organization a success.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span></p> - -<p>“But sewing a quilt is a lot of work,” sighed Sunny Davidson.</p> - -<p>Eileen Webber and Jane Tuttle, the other two girls who made up the -Rosedale Brownie Scout troop, nodded sober agreement.</p> - -<p>Miss Jean Gordon, the Brownie leader, had suggested weeks before that -the girls sew and sell the quilt to raise money.</p> - -<p>No one wanted to be disloyal or lazy. But the girls had stitched -steadily for nearly six meetings now. Even for Connie and Rosemary, who -liked to sew, the task was becoming a bit tiresome.</p> - -<p>“How else could we make money?” speculated Jane. She folded her -patchwork and gazed thoughtfully at Veve.</p> - -<p>“W-e-ll—” Veve was unprepared for the question. “We could tend babies -maybe. Or run errands.”</p> - -<p>“Everyone thinks we’re too young to look after babies—for pay, that -is!” returned Jane, tossing her long, yellow pigtails.</p> - -<p>“And folks always forget to offer money when you do something for -them,” added Eileen.</p> - -<p>“Well, there must be some way we could earn money,” Veve insisted. -“Maybe there’s an advertisement in the paper.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span></p> - -<p>Taking the afternoon paper from the table, she spread it out before her -on the rug.</p> - -<p>Veve was still studying the ads when Miss Gordon came briskly into the -living room. The Brownie leader, who also taught fourth grade, had -brought a plate of freshly baked cookies and a pitcher of chocolate -milk.</p> - -<p>“Any tired little Brownies here?” she asked in her cheery voice. Miss -Gordon was very pretty, always pleasant, and the girls loved her.</p> - -<p>“We all are,” answered Connie Williams, and the others nodded in -agreement.</p> - -<p>“Piecing blocks is hard work,” grumbled Veve. “The thread tangles. -Besides, I pricked my finger twice!”</p> - -<p>“Dear me, I’m afraid this session of sewing has run on a little too -long,” replied the Brownie leader. “But making a quilt is so worth -while. And you’ve done splendidly!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon placed the pitcher of milk on the table as she bent to -inspect the pieced blocks.</p> - -<p>All the Brownies except Veve had done very well indeed. So rapidly had -the quilt grown, that very soon it would be ready for the quilting -frames.</p> - -<p>Now the coverlet was an amazing thing. Blocks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> were of all color, shape -and size. A red triangle of cloth taken from one of Connie’s cotton -frocks, snuggled against a square which once had been part of Eileen’s -outgrown black checked jumper.</p> - -<p>Even the stitching was different. Rosemary had used beautiful feather -stitching. Connie had pieced her blocks with a briar stitch. Veve had -used very plain and long ones.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the over-all effect was pleasing despite the “crazy” -hit-or-miss pattern which gave the quilt its name.</p> - -<p>“My thread knotted,” Veve explained. Out of the corner of her eyes, she -had noticed that Miss Gordon frowned as she examined a badly stitched -orange block. “Anyway, I don’t like to sew!”</p> - -<p>“Why, Veve!” Miss Gordon smiled at the little girl. “Our lovely quilt -is nearly finished now.”</p> - -<p>First she unknotted the tangled thread and sewed a few neat stitches -just to encourage Veve.</p> - -<p>Then she told the Brownies they might put away their patchwork for the -day. Connie and Sunny began to pass the cookies and glasses of cool -milk.</p> - -<p>Veve scarcely nibbled at her cookie. Instead, she kept reading the -advertising page of the paper.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span></p> - -<p>“I wish I could find an easy way to make money,” she mumbled. “Only no -one seems to want a baby sitter.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon began to tell the girls about the various types of quilts.</p> - -<p>“Beautiful patterns were originated by pioneer women who outdid -themselves to see how cleverly they could piece the blocks,” she -declared. “Many of our earliest American patterns were adapted from -designs on rugs and shawls brought to this country from Europe and the -Orient.”</p> - -<p>“Quilt patterns have names too,” declared Rosemary eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, they do. Can you mention any of them, Rosemary?”</p> - -<p>“‘The Hand of Friendship,’ and the ‘Pine Cone.’ My mother has one she -calls an ‘Album’ quilt.”</p> - -<p>“Altogether, there are hundreds of patterns,” explained the Brownie -leader. “Some of the better quilts were signed with the name of the -maker.”</p> - -<p>“Is that the same thing as an autograph quilt?” asked Connie. She had -heard her mother speak of such a coverlet.</p> - -<p>“No, in a true autograph quilt, each block was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> inscribed with the name -of the person who made it,” Miss Gordon replied. “Many of the blocks -were dated.”</p> - -<p>“Were the names stitched on?” inquired Sunny, reaching for her third -sugar cookie.</p> - -<p>“Sometimes they were. Then again they often were written on the block -with indelible pencil or ink. These old type quilts are historically -important.”</p> - -<p>Having ended her little talk, Miss Gordon handed around several books -which showed quilt patterns in beautiful colors.</p> - -<p>Veve, however, was too deeply absorbed in the newspaper to look at the -pictures when they were passed to her.</p> - -<p>“Girls, how would you like to have a quilt show?” Miss Gordon asked -unexpectedly.</p> - -<p>All the Brownies pricked up their ears and listened hard. Even Veve -forgot for a minute that she didn’t much care for anything connected -with quilts.</p> - -<p>“How can we have a show when the only quilt we own isn’t finished?” -This practical question came from Connie.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon explained that she did not expect the Brownies to sew all -the quilts which would be displayed in the show.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span></p> - -<p>No, indeed! Instead, she proposed that the girls borrow from their -acquaintances as many different types as they could.</p> - -<p>“I can bring my mother’s album quilt!” Rosemary offered eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I know where I can get a beautiful orange and yellow one,” added -Connie. “It’s called the ‘Sunburst’ pattern and is out of this world!”</p> - -<p>The girls chattered excitedly, discussing where they could obtain -quilts to display in the Brownie show. Veve, however, was more -interested in the advertisement page of the <cite>Rosedale Herald</cite>.</p> - -<p>Suddenly she uttered a squeal of delight. “Say, I’ve found it! This ad -is just the thing!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, who wants to be a baby sitter?” scoffed Eileen. “Having a quilt -show will be more fun.”</p> - -<p>“Who’s talking about being an old baby sitter?” Veve thrust the -newspaper page under the other girl’s eyes. “This is a chance to make -real money!”</p> - -<p>“Doing what?” demanded Sunny skeptically.</p> - -<p>“Picking cherries.”</p> - -<p>Veve’s announcement took the Brownies so by surprise that they stopped -eating cookies.</p> - -<p>“Where?” questioned Connie. Although she intended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> to remain loyal to -Miss Gordon and the quilt show, she couldn’t help being interested.</p> - -<p>“Just read the ad!” Veve had jumped up from the rug and was prancing -around the room like a frisky steed.</p> - -<p>“How can anyone read it with you hopping up and down?” Eileen demanded. -“Hold still a minute!”</p> - -<p>As Veve quieted down, the Brownies crowded around to see the -advertisement for themselves.</p> - -<p>It read: “Cherry Pickers Wanted Immediately. Two Cents a Pound. Apply -Wingate Farm, Rt. 1, Clove Rd.”</p> - -<p>“Two cents a pound!” Veve chortled. “I bet I could pick a hundred -pounds in just a few minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Like fun you could,” scoffed Jane Tuttle. “Where is Clove Road anyhow?”</p> - -<p>“Just at the edge of town,” supplied Connie. “I’ve seen the Wingate -Farm too. We drove past it one Sunday afternoon when the cherries were -in bloom. Oh, the orchard was pretty then!”</p> - -<p>“Cherry picking might not be so bad,” spoke up Sunny Davidson. “And we -could earn money fast.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon waited until the Brownies had talked about the matter for a -while. Then she said:</p> - -<p>“Girls, not for anything would I discourage you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> in any of your plans. -However, I think cherry picking might be very hard work. Perhaps more -tiring than sewing quilt blocks.”</p> - -<p>“It would be exciting though,” Veve cut in quickly. “We’d earn a lot of -money too for our troop.”</p> - -<p>“I’m a little afraid the advertisement may have been intended for -grownups,” the Brownie Scout leader went on.</p> - -<p>“You mean they wouldn’t take children as pickers?” Veve asked, her -disappointment keen. “Why, we’d be good at it.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure you would, dear. It’s possible they’d take Brownies, but—”</p> - -<p>“Then why don’t we do it?” Veve broke in before the teacher could -finish. She was eager to have the matter decided at once.</p> - -<p>“We really know nothing about Wingate Farm—”</p> - -<p>“I’ll find out!” Veve offered. “As soon as the Brownie meeting is over, -I’ll ride out there on the bus and talk to the man in charge.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon smiled at her enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>“I suppose it will do no harm to investigate,” she admitted. “But you -mustn’t go alone or without your mother’s consent.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll telephone her.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span></p> - -<p>Veve’s mother worked in a downtown office. However, the little girl -knew how to reach her.</p> - -<p>The Brownies talked about the matter for quite a while.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t we appoint Veve and Connie to find out all about it?” -Rosemary proposed, winding up the discussion. “That is, if their -mothers will let them go.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I think too,” chimed in Sunny.</p> - -<p>So the decision was reached that the two girls, after obtaining -permission, should make the trip to Wingate Farm that very afternoon.</p> - -<p>Upon their return they were to report to Miss Gordon, who would notify -the other Brownies.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to work fast to get the job,” Veve said anxiously. “I -imagine a lot of people may have read the advertisement.”</p> - -<p>The meeting now broke up with all the girls singing the Brownie -organization song.</p> - -<p>Immediately afterwards, Veve telephoned her mother to ask if she might -go to the orchard. The distance by bus was not far.</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, if Connie is going with you,” Mrs. McGuire consented after -hearing the plan. “But don’t stay late.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Connie had gone to the kitchen to talk to her mother.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Williams was quite busy washing dishes the Brownies had used for -their refreshments.</p> - -<p>“If only I had the car this afternoon, I gladly would drive you out to -the orchard,” she told her daughter. “How far is it, dear?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, not far,” Connie assured her. “Veve and I don’t mind a bit going -by bus. We’ll be back long before dark.”</p> - -<p>“If you can wait until tomorrow, I’ll have the car.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t dare wait, Mother. If we do, other folks will get the job -instead of our Brownie organization.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Williams knew that this might be true. So after thinking a moment, -she said Connie might go.</p> - -<p>The two girls wore their Brownie beanies and put on light coats over -their brown pinchecked uniforms. Mrs. Williams gave Connie enough bus -fare for both girls.</p> - -<p>Veve frequently took a bus downtown and knew which one they must catch -to reach the outskirts of Rosedale.</p> - -<p>“It’s marked ‘Crosstown,’” she told Connie. “I don’t think the bus runs -very often though. We’ll have to watch sharp or we may miss it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p> - -<p>In about ten minutes along came a yellow bus which had “Crosstown” -printed on a card in the front window.</p> - -<p>When it stopped at the curb, Veve and Connie climbed aboard. They -dropped their fare into the box.</p> - -<p>Then, just to make certain they were going the right direction, Veve -said to the driver:</p> - -<p>“This bus goes to Wingate Farm, doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Where’s Wingate Farm?” he asked. By this time the bus was moving.</p> - -<p>“It’s on Clove Road,” shouted Connie. She had to yell to make herself -heard above the roar of the big motor and the clash of gears.</p> - -<p>“Clove Road?” The bus driver shook his head. “This bus only goes to the -city line. Clove Road’s a half mile beyond.”</p> - -<p>Connie and Veve were aghast.</p> - -<p>“Then we’re on the wrong bus!” Connie exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“You can transfer at the city line,” the driver said, stopping for a -traffic light. “You’ll have a twenty minute wait. Board a Fulton bus -and it will take you directly to Wingate Farm. Coming back you may be -able to catch a Rosedale bus which will eliminate the twenty minute -wait. Got it?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span></p> - -<p>Connie and Veve weren’t at all certain that they understood.</p> - -<p>So they asked the driver to say it over once more. To make sure she -wouldn’t forget, Connie then wrote it down on paper.</p> - -<p>“If we have to wait twenty minutes each way, we may be late getting -home,” she said anxiously as they took seats.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we can hurry after we get to Wingate orchard,” Veve replied. She -was not in the least worried.</p> - -<p>The nearly empty bus whizzed along at a fast clip.</p> - -<p>Soon it had arrived at the city line and the end of the run. The -friendly bus driver told the girls it was time to get off.</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget,” he directed them. “The Fulton bus stops across the -street. It should come along in twenty minutes. Don’t miss it, because -after it leaves, another isn’t due for a long while.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t miss it,” laughed Veve. “A Brownie Scout always is punctual.”</p> - -<p>“Some Brownies are,” Connie corrected with a laugh.</p> - -<p>She was thinking that upon more than one occasion Veve had been tardy -for Brownie meetings.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> Once too, when the troop was on its way to Snow -Valley, she had nearly missed the train.</p> - -<p>However, Connie was not really worried about catching the bus.</p> - -<p>The girls alighted and stretched their legs a bit.</p> - -<p>“We have lots of time to look around,” Veve remarked. “Twenty whole -minutes.”</p> - -<p>They gazed into a drugstore window before crossing the street to the -other bus stop.</p> - -<p>“Let’s get a dish of ice cream,” Veve proposed. “One with nuts and -whipped cream on it.”</p> - -<p>This suggestion Connie promptly turned down.</p> - -<p>“Why, Veve, you greedy girl! Didn’t you have milk and cookies at the -meeting?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but that was a long time ago. I’m hungry.”</p> - -<p>“You’re always hungry,” Connie accused. “We might miss our bus if we -don’t stay right here.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, all right.” Reluctantly, Veve gave up the idea. “It will be -tiresome waiting, though.”</p> - -<p>The girls seated themselves at the curb, watching cars whiz past.</p> - -<p>After a while, Connie arose and sauntered a short distance down the -walk. She tried stepping over each crack. It seemed to make the time -pass faster.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> The little girl had counted twelve cracks when she paused -near a large white house. Something in the back yard drew and held her -attention.</p> - -<p>“Look, Veve!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>On a clothes line hung a freshly washed green and white patterned quilt.</p> - -<p>“Oh, isn’t it a dream!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“It’s as nice as any of those pictures Miss Gordon showed us,” Veve -agreed, joining her friend.</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t it look beautiful in that show we’re going to have?”</p> - -<p>“Grand, Connie. Let’s ask if we may have it!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, Veve.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“We don’t know who owns it for one thing.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it won’t take long to find out. Come on!” Veve seized Connie’s -hand, pulling her a few steps along the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>“We might miss our bus, Veve.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, we have plenty of time. Anyway, it will take only a jiffy.”</p> - -<p>Against her will, Connie allowed herself to be led along.</p> - -<p>Pausing only a moment to admire the green and white quilt, the girls -went directly to the door and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> rapped. A long while elapsed before they -heard footsteps.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Connie kept her eyes on the bus stop.</p> - -<p>Finally, a pleasant-faced woman in a blue house dress came to the door. -She smiled in a very friendly way when she saw the girls, for she -recognized their Brownie uniforms.</p> - -<p>“Well, I declare! Brownies!” she greeted them. “I’ll venture you’re -selling cookies.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” Connie said breathlessly. “We saw your quilt on the line. -It’s very beautiful.”</p> - -<p>“The green and white one?” the woman asked, pleased that the girls -had noticed it. “My mother made that particular one. It’s called the -‘Sawtooth’ pattern.”</p> - -<p>“We were wondering—” Connie became a trifle ill at ease, then went -quickly on, “—you see, our Brownie Troop is planning a quilt show. -Miss Gordon—she’s our leader—asked each Brownie to get as many quilts -as possible to display. So we thought—”</p> - -<p>“We thought you might be willing to let us have your quilt—just for -the show, that is,” Veve cut in quickly. “We will have to have your -answer right away.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span></p> - -<p>“Right away?” the lady repeated. “Dear me, you have taken me so by -surprise. I suppose you might have the quilt if I were certain it would -be returned in good condition.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, thank you,” Connie said gratefully. “We can’t take the quilt now, -but we’ll come back later for it.”</p> - -<p>“Dear me, you <em>are</em> in a hurry,” observed the lady. “You haven’t even -told me your names or the troop to which you belong.”</p> - -<p>Connie supplied the information, all the while keeping her eye on the -bus stop. It seemed to her that twenty minutes must be nearly up.</p> - -<p>“My name is Mrs. Grayson,” said the nice lady. “I have several other -quilts, though none quite as nice as the ‘Sawtooth.’ But I do have -something you should see!”</p> - -<p>“What is that?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p>“An old woven coverlet. It is blue and white and shows the face of -George Washington.”</p> - -<p>“The first president of the United States!” exclaimed Connie in awe.</p> - -<p>“Yes, the coverlet is an historical treasure. It is in perfect -condition. You really should have it for your exhibit as it is much -nicer than the Sawtooth quilt.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span></p> - -<p>“And may we?” Connie asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>“We’ll see,” promised Mrs. Grayson. “Before we decide, I’ll show it to -you.”</p> - -<p>By this time both Connie and Veve were becoming uneasy about how fast -time was slipping away.</p> - -<p>“We have to catch a bus,” Connie explained regretfully. “Please, may we -come back tomorrow to see the coverlet?”</p> - -<p>“Of course. What bus are you taking?”</p> - -<p>“The Fulton,” Connie replied. “It’s due here almost any minute.”</p> - -<p>“It’s more than due!” broke in Veve shrilly. “<em>It’s coming!</em>”</p> - -<p>With a little squeal of dismay, she seized Connie’s hand. Not even -taking time to say good-bye to Mrs. Grayson, they made a dash for it.</p> - -<p>Already the bus had pulled up at its regular stop. Only two passengers -alighted and not a single one got on.</p> - -<p>“Hey, the driver’s not going to wait!” Veve cried in panic. “He hasn’t -seen us!”</p> - -<p>“Wait!” shrieked Connie. “Wait for us!”</p> - -<p>Both girls were running as fast as they could and waving their arms.</p> - -<p>The bus driver, however, did not see them. Already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> several minutes -behind schedule, he slammed the door, and drove away.</p> - -<p>For an instant, Connie and Veve were too stunned to say a word.</p> - -<p>They gazed down the road at the fast disappearing bus, and then looked -at each other.</p> - -<p>“Brownies always are so punctual,” Connie said at length. “Oh, sure!”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t anyone’s fault,” Veve replied in a subdued voice. “It—it -just happened.”</p> - -<p>“And now we’re stranded here.” Connie sounded a bit frightened, as -indeed she was. “The driver told us another bus wouldn’t be along for a -long time. Now what are we going to do?”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="ii" id="ii"></a>CHAPTER 2</small><br /> -Cherry Pickers Wanted</h2> - - -<p class="noi">QUILTS and coverlets no longer seemed important to Veve and Connie as -they realized that they were stranded at the bus stop.</p> - -<p>An hour might pass before another Fulton bus came along. How were they -to reach the cherry orchard?</p> - -<p>“We never should have gone to that lady’s house to see the quilt,” -Connie said, self-accusingly. “Oh, dear!”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t your fault,” Veve replied. “I made you go.”</p> - -<p>“At any rate, the bus is gone, and we’re not on it. What shall we do?”</p> - -<p>Veve had no answer.</p> - -<p>However, Mrs. Grayson had been watching the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> two girls from her front -porch. Of course she knew that they had missed their bus. Still wearing -a kitchen apron, she came down the sidewalk toward them.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said. “Were you traveling far?”</p> - -<p>“To Wingate Farm,” Veve supplied. She had to sniff very hard to keep -from crying.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s not far,” declared Mrs. Grayson. “I know! I’ll get the car -out of the garage and drive you there.”</p> - -<p>At this unexpected proposal, Veve and Connie instantly perked up.</p> - -<p>“Oh, <em>will</em> you take us?” Connie asked, all dimples. “Won’t it make you -too much trouble?”</p> - -<p>“Not in the least. Wait here, and I’ll soon pick you up.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grayson re-entered her own home to change from her apron. Less -than five minutes later she came outdoors again, this time wearing a -hat and a light tan coat.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” she said, bringing her coupé to a standstill beside the -curb.</p> - -<p>Connie slid in beside Mrs. Grayson, while Veve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> sat on the outside. On -the way to Wingate Farm, the girls chatted gaily, telling about their -Brownie Troop and the quilt show which was planned.</p> - -<p>Veve told her too about the exciting times the Brownies had enjoyed the -previous year—at Snow Valley, and later with the circus folk. Both of -these stories are related in the volumes, “The Brownie Scouts at Snow -Valley,” and “The Brownie Scouts in the Circus.”</p> - -<p>“I was the youngest Brownie to be ’nitiated,” Veve explained proudly. -“Miss Gordon says I make more trouble than all the others put together. -That’s because I’m always thinking up things to do.”</p> - -<p>“Veve once was carried away on a sled hooked to an automobile,” Connie -revealed. “Then another time, she crawled into a circus car and—”</p> - -<p>“Never mind that,” broke in Veve. “I’m grown up now. Was it my fault we -missed the bus?”</p> - -<p>“No, it wasn’t,” Connie admitted. “Anyway, it’s much nicer riding with -Mrs. Grayson.”</p> - -<p>The girls began to talk of quilts once more. Mrs. Grayson told them -that there were some which had political or patriotic names such as the -Union Calico quilt, the Yankee Puzzle and the Confederate Rose.</p> - -<p>“And do you have samples of them?” Connie asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> eagerly. She hoped, of -course, that the unusual quilts might be obtained for the Brownie quilt -show.</p> - -<p>“The only quilt of quality I have is the one you saw,” the woman -replied. “And then, the woven Washington coverlet.”</p> - -<p>“May we have them both for our Brownie display?” Connie asked the -question before Veve could frame the same one.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I think I can promise you the quilt and the coverlet,” Mrs. -Grayson replied.</p> - -<p>Veve sat very still for a moment. She was glad that Connie had obtained -both a quilt and a coverlet for the show. All the same, she wished she -had thought of asking for them first.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grayson had slowed the car to peer at mailboxes along the road. -The name, Carl Wingate, had been painted on one of them.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” the lady announced. “Wingate Farm.”</p> - -<p>All along the road the cherry trees were so loaded with scarlet fruit -that the boughs hung almost on the ground. The girls had never seen a -more beautiful sight.</p> - -<p>“Are you sure you’ll be all right now?” Mrs. Grayson asked, opening the -car door.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> “Oh, yes,” Connie assured her. “Thank you for the ride and -the quilt.”</p> - -<p>Scarcely noticing as Mrs. Grayson drove on, the girls gazed up and down -the road. On either side, as far as could be seen, stretched row upon -row of cherry trees.</p> - -<p>“It looks like a sea of red,” Veve declared in awe. “There must be -millions and millions of pounds of cherries here! Don’t you wish we -could pick them all?”</p> - -<p>“Every single one!” laughed Connie.</p> - -<p>Both girls were now in high good humor, thinking of the money they and -the other Brownies would make for the troop. Unfastening the gate, they -walked between rows of cherry trees, up a winding driveway toward the -house.</p> - -<p>When the two girls were half-way up to the dwelling, they heard someone -speaking in a loud, angry voice. At first they could not guess who -might be talking, for they could not see the speaker.</p> - -<p>But his voice reached them very clearly.</p> - -<p>“Juan, you’re a lazy, no-good!” the man shouted. “Three times today -I’ve told you not to bruise the fruit in stripping it! But do you pay -attention? Not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> the slightest. Either you’ll take orders, or quit the -orchard. Savey?”</p> - -<p>“<em>Si, Senor</em>,” came the muttered reply.</p> - -<p>“Now get back to your picking,” the man snapped.</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie had rounded a bend in the road and now were able to see -the two speakers. The man, who wore a rough checkered shirt and large -straw hat, was short and fat. His sunburned face twisted into hard -lines as he talked.</p> - -<p>The one he addressed appeared to be a Mexican lad, no older than 10 or -12 years of age. Juan was dressed in ragged grayish-white trousers and -shirt. He too wore a straw hat to protect himself from the sun, but was -barefoot.</p> - -<p>The boy scooted off with his empty cherry pail as the girls approached. -Rather nervously, Connie and Veve spoke to the man, who eyed them in a -most unfriendly way.</p> - -<p>“We’re looking for Mr. Wingate,” said Connie politely.</p> - -<p>“Well?” the man demanded.</p> - -<p>“Can you tell us where to find him?”</p> - -<p>“I am Wingate. What <a name="dyou" id="dyou"></a><ins title="Original has d’ you">d’you</ins> want? Be brief, because I’ve got -work to do.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span></p> - -<p>Connie and Veve gazed at each other in dismay. From the very first -moment, they had disliked this man because of his rough way of -speaking. And now he proved to be Mr. Wingate, the man for whom they -expected to work!</p> - -<p>“Well, what d’you want?” the owner of the orchard repeated. He fast was -losing patience. “Out with it!”</p> - -<p>“Please—” Connie swallowed twice and struggled on. “We would like a -job picking cherries.”</p> - -<p>“Not just us,” Veve amended quickly. “All of the Brownies.”</p> - -<p>“The Brownies?” Mr. Wingate demanded. “Who are they? Fairies?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no!” Connie corrected. “We’re an organization. Our troop motto is: -‘Lend A Hand.’ That’s what we want to do here at your cherry orchard.”</p> - -<p>“For pay, that is,” added Veve. She was afraid Mr. Wingate might get -the wrong idea.</p> - -<p>“I hire only experienced pickers,” the orchard owner said. “Can’t use -kids.”</p> - -<p>“But we heard you talking to a little boy,” Veve reminded him.</p> - -<p>“Sure, but he’s one of the Mexicans. I use a crew of ’em—professional -pickers. A stupid lot too!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span></p> - -<p>“Don’t you need any more pickers?” Connie persisted.</p> - -<p>“I need experienced pickers, sure. My fruit is ripening fast and if I -don’t get it marketed, I’ll lose a nice profit.”</p> - -<p>“Then may we have the job?” Veve asked hopefully. She did not like Mr. -Wingate, but she thought he might be nicer to the Brownies than to Juan.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once! I hire only experienced -pickers. I can’t be bothered with a bunch of fairies—”</p> - -<p>“Brownies,” said Connie, flushing. “And we <em>are</em> dependable. Ask Miss -Gordon.”</p> - -<p>“Run along,” Mr. Wingate ordered. “I have work to do and you’re -bothering me.”</p> - -<p>Thus dismissed, Veve and Connie dejectedly walked back to the main -road. After all their hopes and plans, they were not to be allowed to -pick cherries. It was very discouraging.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Veve,” her friend said to cheer her. “We’ll make -money when we sell the crazy quilt.”</p> - -<p>“But it would have been more fun to have picked cherries.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think it would have been very nice working<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> for Mr. Wingate, -Veve. He talked so ugly to that little Mexican boy. Miss Gordon never -would have wanted us to work for him.”</p> - -<p>“And he was fussy about the way the cherries were picked,” Veve agreed. -“I guess it wouldn’t have been much fun.”</p> - -<p>Arm in arm, the girls walked up the road, looking for a bus stop. They -were becoming tired now, and wished that Mrs. Grayson had waited for -them. Evidently, she had driven on home, for her coupé was nowhere to -be seen.</p> - -<p>“I’m thirsty,” Veve said presently. “I wish I had a drink of water. Or -maybe a handful of those cherries.”</p> - -<p>Thoughtfully she gazed toward a tree whose heavily laden branch hung -over the fence.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no you don’t!” said Connie, reading her mind. “Those cherries -belong to Mr. Wingate. Not to us. We’re not taking a single one.”</p> - -<p>“Who wants any of <em>his</em> stupid old fruit? Anyway, I think the trees on -the other side of the road have larger and riper cherries.”</p> - -<p>“We’re not taking any of those either, Veve McGuire!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m not swiping anything,” Veve retorted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> “But it doesn’t do any -harm to think how nice those juicy cherries would taste. SAY—”</p> - -<p>The last was uttered in a loud voice, for the little girl had noticed a -painted sign on the fence to the left.</p> - -<p>In large red letters it read: “Pickers Wanted.”</p> - -<p>“That’s us!” exclaimed Veve. “We’ll get a job for the Brownies yet!”</p> - -<p>Connie, however, was less enthusiastic. She pointed out that very -likely if they applied, they would be turned down again.</p> - -<p>“Well, it won’t hurt to try,” Veve insisted.</p> - -<p>“We may miss our bus again.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll get home somehow,” Veve waved aside the objection. “Don’t you -want a job, Connie?”</p> - -<p>“’Course I do. Only I didn’t like Mr. Wingate.”</p> - -<p>“But this is across the road, so it can’t be his orchard. The gate’s -just ahead. Let’s go in, Connie. I’ll do the talking this time.”</p> - -<p>The barrier had been securely fastened with a chain. The girls could -not open it. However, they climbed over and started up the gravel -driveway.</p> - -<p>Cherry trees were everywhere, fairly dripping red treasure. Under many -of the boughs, fruit had fallen to the ground.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span></p> - -<p>A few ladders stood against the low, well-pruned trees. Back in the -orchard only a few pickers could be seen.</p> - -<p>In vain the girls looked about for a dwelling. Where a house once had -stood there now was only a gaping, burned-out hole.</p> - -<p>“Why, the place is all gone except its foundation!” Veve exclaimed. -“The house must have burned a long while ago, and never was rebuilt.”</p> - -<p>The only building to be seen was a long, low shed in which cherries -were sorted and packed for market.</p> - -<p>Stepping to the open doorway, the girls peered inside.</p> - -<p>A bent old man, his back toward them, busily packed cherries into a big -box. He whirled around upon hearing footsteps. And a shaggy white dog -that had been dozing in a corner, sprang up with a warning snarl.</p> - -<p>Startled, Veve and Connie retreated.</p> - -<p>“Down, Cap!” the old man ordered the animal. To the girls he said: -“Don’t be afraid. He won’t bite you or anyone else. I keep him on the -place to frighten off intruders. His bark, though, is all bluff.”</p> - -<p>Thus reassured, Veve and Connie stood their ground. They rather liked -the old man who looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> like a farmer in blue overalls and white shirt. -His face was friendly and his eyes twinkled as he studied them.</p> - -<p>“I’m Pa Hooper,” he introduced himself. “What may I do for you young -ladies?”</p> - -<p>Now this made Connie and Veve feel quite at ease. And even Cap tried to -show them that they were welcome, for he came sniffing at their heels.</p> - -<p>“We saw your sign,” Veve said, going directly to the point. “We would -like a job picking cherries.”</p> - -<p>As Mr. Hooper kept studying her, not saying a word, she told him about -the Brownie organization. And Connie added that Mr. Wingate next door -had sent them away most rudely.</p> - -<p>“We may not be experienced pickers, but we can learn,” she declared. -“Just give us a chance and we’ll prove what Brownies can do.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper was greatly impressed with the direct approach of the two -little girls.</p> - -<p>He told them he very much needed pickers because some of the larger -orchards had hired most of the Mexican pickers.</p> - -<p>Unless his fruit could be harvested quickly, he might lose a large -portion of it.</p> - -<p>“Then are we hired?” Veve questioned.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span></p> - -<p>Still Mr. Hooper hesitated.</p> - -<p>“I scarcely know what to say,” he told her kindly. “Cherry picking -isn’t as easy as it looks. You might fall from a ladder and hurt -yourself. In that case, I’d be liable.”</p> - -<p>“Brownies are taught to be careful,” Veve assured him. “You wouldn’t -catch us falling off a ladder!”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper chuckled. “I pay a cent and a half a pound for stripping,” he -explained. “That’s not as good a rate as some of the orchards offer. It -takes a lot of cherries to weigh a pound.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t mind,” Connie said. “Please, Mr. Hooper, let us try! The -trees aren’t high, and you could let us pick the lower branches.”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner thought a moment. Then he said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Suppose I test you with a half hour’s -picking? If you do well, and think you would like the work, then I -might hire all the Brownies. How many are there of you?”</p> - -<p>“Six, not counting Miss Gordon,” supplied Veve. “Where do we start?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper said he would show the girls as soon as he had finished -packing another lug.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span></p> - -<p>The box was a fancy one, filled with especially large cherries.</p> - -<p>Other boxes in the shed were “jumble” pack. This, Mr. Hooper explained, -meant that the fruit was not placed in any particular order.</p> - -<p>After he had finished sorting cherries for the fancy box, the orchard -owner told the girls to follow him.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper led them to a low-hanging tree near the roadway. Two short -ladders already were in place.</p> - -<p>The orchard owner showed the girls how to strip cherries rapidly from -the trees.</p> - -<p>Even if a few stems fell into the pail, it would not matter, he said. -Once the cherries reached the canning factory, they would be washed and -stemmed.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be back here in half an hour,” Mr. Hooper said. He handed each -girl a tall tin bucket. “Just be careful. Don’t climb more than a few -steps on the ladders.”</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie mounted separate ladders. At first they went up only -three steps. It was easy to reach the fruit.</p> - -<p>“Let’s have a race,” Veve proposed. “I can pick more cherries than you, -Connie!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span></p> - -<p>Both girls stripped as fast as they could. But try as they would, they -could not make the fruit fall into the pail as fast as Mr. Hooper had -done.</p> - -<p>When Connie’s bucket was half filled, she began to feel a little tired.</p> - -<p>“It’s getting late,” she remarked uneasily. “I wish Mr. Hooper would -come back.”</p> - -<p>The girls had seen one Rosedale bus pass the orchard, and they knew -another soon would be due.</p> - -<p>Unless they started for home very shortly they were afraid their -parents would worry.</p> - -<p>“Oh, here comes Mr. Hooper now,” Veve announced a little later. She -felt very much relieved.</p> - -<p>“We’ve picked a lot of cherries,” Connie said proudly. “Do you suppose -he’ll think we have done all right?”</p> - -<p>Veve nodded and stretched her cramped arms.</p> - -<p>For a moment she stood quite still on the fifth step of the ladder. -From her perch, she could gaze directly across the roadway into the -Wingate orchard.</p> - -<p>Apparently, something the little girl saw there startled her.</p> - -<p>At any rate, she twisted around to obtain a better view.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span></p> - -<p>Now in doing so, Veve’s right arm came sharply against the half-filled -pail of cherries. It teetered and started to fall.</p> - -<p>Frantically, the little girl clutched to save the bucket.</p> - -<p>But her hand missed. Down clattered the tin pail, spilling cherries in -every direction!</p> - -<p>Nor was that the extent of the disaster. In working convulsively to -save the precious fruit, Veve had thrown the ladder off balance.</p> - -<p>For a moment it wobbled and swayed.</p> - -<p>Then, as she uttered a wild yell, it slipped sideways, hurling her to -the ground.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="iii" id="iii"></a>CHAPTER 3</small><br /> -Over the Fence</h2> - - -<p class="noi">“ARE you hurt, Veve?”</p> - -<p>Connie scrambled down from her own ladder to help her little friend up -from the ground.</p> - -<p>Veve brushed dirt from her Brownie uniform and picked up the beanie -which had fallen from her head. Ruefully she gazed at the spilled -cherries. Scarcely a handful remained in the tin bucket.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m all right,” she muttered, rubbing an elbow. “But see what -happened! Now Mr. Hooper won’t want the Brownies to pick in his -orchard.”</p> - -<p>Even as she spoke, the orchard owner hurried up, Cap barking at his -heels.</p> - -<p>From a distance, he had seen Veve tumble from the ladder. He was afraid -she might have been injured.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span></p> - -<p>“Didn’t I warn you to be careful?” he asked a trifle crossly. “If you -had broken an arm—”</p> - -<p>“You don’t have to be liable for my fall,” Veve assured him. “I’m not -hurt a bit.”</p> - -<p>Hurriedly she began to pick up the scattered cherries.</p> - -<p>“We tried so hard,” Connie said. She felt quite crushed by the -disaster. “I—I guess we aren’t very good pickers.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper patted her shoulder. “You’ve done well for the first time,” -he said, peering into her pail. “It was just an accident. They will -happen sometimes, despite precautions.”</p> - -<p>“Then you think we’re good enough to get the job for the Brownies?” -Veve demanded. Pa Hooper’s words had revived her hope.</p> - -<p>Before the orchard owner could reply, Cap gave a little yip to attract -attention. Then he sat up and begged, waving his two front paws.</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie had to laugh. Cap looked very cute, and seemed to be -coaxing his master into saying that the girls might have the cherry -picking job.</p> - -<p>“So you think I should, eh, Cap?” chuckled Pa Hooper. “That does it, -old boy. We’ll hire the Brownies! The entire troop!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span></p> - -<p>“Whoopee!” shouted Veve. She capered around so madly she nearly upset -Connie’s pail of cherries.</p> - -<p>“Careful now,” warned Pa Hooper, rather sternly. “Cherry picking is -serious business. If you work here you’ll have to obey orders and not -act the fool. Furthermore, you’ll have to use the short ladders. I -can’t risk having you fall from the top of a tree.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll do exactly as you say,” Veve promised. Because she couldn’t curb -her high spirits, she broke into a snatch of a Brownie song:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> -<div class="verse"> -<div class="line outdent">“We snip and paste and hammer too,</div> -<div class="line">To aid folks young and old.</div> -<div class="line">And after all our work and play,</div> -<div class="line">A story we will tell.</div> -<div class="line indent">Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!</div> -<div class="line">The Brownies are with you to stay!”</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>“I hope the Brownies do stay and prove to be good pickers,” Mr. Hooper -said, sighing. “I’ve had plenty of trouble with the crop this season.”</p> - -<p>“What sort of trouble, Mr. Hooper?” inquired Connie.</p> - -<p>“Well, as I said, the larger orchard owners have hired nearly all -of the professional pickers. I’m supposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> to have a crew coming in -tomorrow, but they may fail me. And my fruit is ripening fast.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper gazed thoughtfully up into a cherry tree as he spoke. The -fruit nearly all was bright red and so plump it looked as if it might -burst.</p> - -<p>The orchard owner took Connie’s pail of cherries to the shed for -weighing.</p> - -<p>“You’ve picked four pounds,” he said. “That’s six cents. After you’ve -practiced awhile, you’ll find you can strip the trees three times as -fast.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper told the girls that a professional picker usually made from -six to ten dollars a day. The Brownies, of course, never could hope to -earn that much.</p> - -<p>Instead of paying Connie for the cherries she had picked, Mr. Hooper -wrote her name on a card and the amount that was due.</p> - -<p>“This is your account,” he said. “If you’re a good picker and stick to -it, the sum should grow and grow like Jack’s beanstalk.”</p> - -<p>Then and there, both Connie and Veve made up their minds to be the -fastest pickers in the Rosedale Brownie troop. They scarcely could wait -to return home to relate their good news!</p> - -<p>“Be at the orchard early in the morning if you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> want to get a good -start,” Mr. Hooper urged. “At least by seven o’clock.”</p> - -<p>Now, as a rule, Connie and Veve scarcely had their breakfasts by that -hour. You may be sure, though, that they didn’t tell the orchard owner. -Instead, they merely nodded and promised to be on hand.</p> - -<p>The girls felt quite happy as they trudged to the bus stop. Their arms -ached from such fast picking, and Veve had several cherry juice stains -on her pinchecked dress. But they were pleased to have obtained a -promise of work.</p> - -<p>“We should make a lot of money for the troop,” Veve declared as they -waited for their bus.</p> - -<p>“What if Miss Gordon shouldn’t let us pick?” Connie asked anxiously. -“After all, she only told us to find out about the job. Not to take it.”</p> - -<p>“And it will be hard getting the Brownies to the orchard by seven -o’clock,” Veve added.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hooper really needs our help though. If he doesn’t get pickers -soon, his crop will be lost. When the Brownies hear about that, I’m -sure they’ll want to pitch in.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, they will,” Veve agreed confidently. “If they don’t, we’ll make -’em!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span></p> - -<p>The arrival of a city-bound bus brought the talk to an end. During -the ride into Rosedale, Veve had little to say. After awhile, Connie -noticed her companion’s unusual silence.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you anyhow, Veve?” she demanded. “Tired?”</p> - -<p>“Not very.”</p> - -<p>“Then what is wrong?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” Veve said in a tone which meant just the opposite.</p> - -<p>“Aren’t you glad we got the job?”</p> - -<p>“Of course! Only—”</p> - -<p>“Only what, Veve?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I was wondering if Mr. Hooper will treat the Brownies right.”</p> - -<p>“Treat them right?” Connie couldn’t understand what Veve meant. “Why, -he agreed to pay a cent and a half a pound. That must be a fair price, -even if some of the larger orchards pay two cents.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I didn’t mean money, Connie. I was wondering if Mr. Hooper will -beat the Brownies if they make mistakes.”</p> - -<p>“Beat them! Whoever heard of such a thing! He wouldn’t dare!”</p> - -<p>“Well, he might.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span></p> - -<p>Connie stared at her little friend, who now was etching a face on the -dusty bus window.</p> - -<p>“What ails you, Veve?” she asked. “Didn’t you like Mr. Hooper?”</p> - -<p>“’Course, I did.”</p> - -<p>“Then what put such a thought into your head? He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe not,” Veve admitted, “but some of the orchard owners beat their -pickers.”</p> - -<p>Connie had become a bit annoyed. She was quite certain Veve had no -reason for making such remarks.</p> - -<p>“How do you know?” she demanded.</p> - -<p>“Because I <em>saw</em> it.”</p> - -<p>“You <em>saw</em> it?” Connie echoed in disbelief. “Well, I didn’t. And I’ve -been with you every minute this afternoon.”</p> - -<p>Veve smoothed wrinkles from her skirt. “I saw it from the tree,” she -revealed. “That was what made me fall. I was so startled.”</p> - -<p>“You must have been looking over into Carl Wingate’s orchard. What did -you see, Veve?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wingate struck Juan with a stick, Connie. I saw it plainly. He hit -him hard too.”</p> - -<p>The information worried Connie, even though she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> knew the Brownies -never would pick cherries in the Wingate orchard.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wingate is a cruel man,” she declared. “I’m surprised that the -Mexicans pick for him even if he does pay two cents a pound instead of -only a cent and a half.”</p> - -<p>“You see now why I fell out of the tree,” Veve defended herself. “I -wasn’t awkward. You’d have tumbled too if you’d seen what I did!”</p> - -<p>Connie told her little friend that she thought it would be wise not to -alarm the Brownies by repeating the story. If they heard about Juan -being whipped, they might refuse to pick for Pa Hooper.</p> - -<p>“And he isn’t in the least like Carl Wingate,” she declared.</p> - -<p>The bus now had reached a familiar street. Veve and Connie alighted to -walk to their homes. However, because they were in such haste to tell -Miss Gordon the good news, they stopped at a drugstore to telephone her.</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper’s offer surprised the Brownie leader very much. At first, -she hesitated and declared she hardly knew what to say about the girls -taking on the picking job.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hooper really needs our help,” Veve urged.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> “And think how much -money we will make for the troop.”</p> - -<p>Finally, the Brownie leader gave her consent. She said she would -telephone each girl personally. If parents were willing, the troop -would meet at Miss Gordon’s home the next morning at six-thirty sharp. -From there they would drive in the Brownie leader’s car to the cherry -orchard.</p> - -<p>“Be sure to wear old clothing,” she warned Veve and Connie. “Cherry -picking could be very hard on Brownie uniforms.”</p> - -<p>The two girls were jubilant as they hung up the receiver. If Miss -Gordon called the other Brownies, the cherry picking job was assured!</p> - -<p>“We’ll have a lot of fun at Mr. Hooper’s orchard,” Connie declared -gaily. “I like him so much.”</p> - -<p>“He’s a queer one though.”</p> - -<p>“Queer?” Connie considered Veve’s remark most strange.</p> - -<p>“He must be a hermit or a miser or something, living all alone at the -orchard.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know he does, Veve?”</p> - -<p>“He sleeps in the packing shed.” Veve was proud that she had made the -observation. “I saw his cot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> in one corner of the room. He had an -electric plate too where he cooks his food.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose he has to stay there, because he has no house.”</p> - -<p>“That’s another strange thing, Connie. His home must have burned down a -long time ago. Why didn’t he rebuild it?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he didn’t have the money. Or perhaps he just didn’t want to.”</p> - -<p>Veve had been reading mystery books and considered Connie’s explanation -entirely too matter-of-fact.</p> - -<p>“That isn’t it at all,” she insisted. “Mr. Hooper must have a special -reason for not rebuilding his house. While we’re picking cherries at -his orchard, I intend to learn all about it!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="iv" id="iv"></a>CHAPTER 4</small><br /> -“Tail-ender”</h2> - - -<p class="noi">AT six-thirty the next morning, six sleepy-eyed Brownies were at Miss -Gordon’s home, ready to drive to the cherry orchard.</p> - -<p>Eileen was the last to arrive. Usually she did not arise until eight -o’clock and so felt a little cross.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see why we have to get up so early,” she grumbled.</p> - -<p>All the girls wore blue jeans instead of dresses, for Miss Gordon had -warned them that frocks might be ruined by fruit stains. The Brownie -leader had packed enough lunch for everyone, and had filled a thermos -jug with hot chocolate.</p> - -<p>“All aboard for Pa Hooper’s orchard!” she called, herding the girls -into her car. “Time to get started if we’re to arrive there by seven -o’clock.”</p> - -<p>During the ride to the orchard, the Brownies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> asked Veve and Connie -dozens of questions about the work they were to do. Everyone except -Eileen thought it would be great fun.</p> - -<p>When Miss Gordon was less than a half mile from Pa Hooper’s place, her -car was passed by a truck. Mexican workers were leaning over the high -sideboards. Seeing the Brownies, they laughed and shouted, and waved -their hands.</p> - -<p>“They must be pickers for the Wingate place,” Connie declared. She had -glimpsed Juan, the little Mexican boy, among the group.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later, the Brownies saw the truck turn in at the orchard.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon drove her own car into Pa Hooper’s place. As the girls -tumbled out, they noticed only a few persons picking cherries some -distance from the packing shed.</p> - -<p>“Well, you did come after all!” Pa Hooper exclaimed, walking over to -the group. “I need pickers. Ready to start in?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!” Veve agreed. “We want to earn a lot of money.”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner laughed and said that would depend entirely upon how -steadily the girls kept at their picking.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span></p> - -<p>“It’s easy the first hour,” he declared. “After that—well, we’ll see -how you hold up.”</p> - -<p>Then and there the Brownies made up their minds that even though the -job was hard, they would not give up!</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper led the girls to a group of nearby trees. Each Brownie -received a pail and was shown exactly how to strip a branch.</p> - -<p>“Pick clean and don’t bruise the fruit,” he instructed. “When your pail -is filled, weigh in at the shed.”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner told the girls to strip only the lower tree branches. -He said he could not risk having them fall from the stepladders, and so -would leave the higher picking for older persons.</p> - -<p>After Mr. Hooper had gone to the shed, the Brownies fell to work with -a will. At first the cherries thudded into the tin pails, making a -tinkling sound. Soon the bottoms of the buckets were covered.</p> - -<p>“I have almost two inches of cherries in my pail!” Rosemary called -after a few minutes.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m ahead of you,” laughed Jane, who was picking in the next tree.</p> - -<p>Hearing the report, Veve began to strip at a faster rate, for she was -far behind. She had stopped too often to sample a cherry and to look -around.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span></p> - -<p>Seeing a clump of especially large cherries directly overhead, the -little girl reached for them. Her hand touched something which was -dark-green in color and very slimy.</p> - -<p>With a squeal of dismay, Veve pulled back. The pail of cherries nearly -dropped from her hand. But she managed to save it.</p> - -<p>“O-oh, see this horrid creature on the tree!” she exclaimed. “Ugh! It -gives me the creeps.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies and Miss Gordon, who were picking close by, came -over to look.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s only a harmless little slug,” the Brownie Scout leader -laughed. “One frequently finds them amid the foliage.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon plucked the leaf which the creature had been eating. Half -of the soft leaf tissue had been nibbled away, leaving ribs and veins -exposed.</p> - -<p>“Orchard owners control slugs by spraying with arsenate of lead,” she -told the girls. “Somehow, this fellow escaped.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t want to pick on this tree any more,” Veve said.</p> - -<p>“’Fraid cat!” teased Sunny Davidson.</p> - -<p>“I am not!” Veve denied. “I just don’t like slugs.”</p> - -<p>The other girls laughed and told her she would have to stick to her own -tree.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span></p> - -<p>Veve went back to work but she kept looking at the foliage before she -touched it. She did not see another slug.</p> - -<p>When Mr. Hooper presently came to the orchard to see how the Brownies -were doing, Veve remarked that she thought the trees needed spraying.</p> - -<p>“Why, bless you!” the orchard owner chuckled. “Already they’ve been -sprayed four times. I put on one early in the season to control scale -insects. Then I sprayed a second time just before the blossoms opened -up. Since then the trees have had two extra treatments.”</p> - -<p>Veve was amazed that so much work was required to keep the orchard in -good condition.</p> - -<p>“It’s a never-ending battle,” Mr. Hooper sighed. “One has to fight leaf -spot, brown rot and the fruit fly, to mention only a few troubles.”</p> - -<p>After the orchard owner had returned to the shed, the Brownies picked -steadily for a while.</p> - -<p>Then Rosemary shouted that her pail was filled. She was far ahead of -the other girls.</p> - -<p>“My bucket is full too,” announced Miss Gordon. “Come, Rosemary, shall -we be the first to weigh in?”</p> - -<p>Everyone began to pick very fast, not wanting to be a tail-ender.</p> - -<p>Soon Connie was ready to have her fruit weighed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> Jane’s pail next was -filled. Both girls were proud to have done so well.</p> - -<p>After that, Eileen and Sunny finished their picking in rapid order.</p> - -<p>“Veve’s the tail-ender!” teased Jane. She whirled around fast and her -jeans caught on a strand of wire attached to the fence.</p> - -<p>As the little girl pulled away, she heard a tearing sound. A long -jagged hole had been torn in the leg of her almost-new jeans.</p> - -<p>“Oh, now see what I’ve done!” she exclaimed. “My knee shows right -through!”</p> - -<p>“That comes from picking so fast,” declared Veve. Actually, Jane had -not been stripping the tree at the moment of the accident.</p> - -<p>Near tears, Jane hastened to the shed to show Miss Gordon the torn -place. Veve followed her, although her pail was not quite filled.</p> - -<p>In the shed, Pa Hooper had just finished weighing in the cherries and -noting down the amount on cards.</p> - -<p>When he saw Veve’s pail, he shook his head. “Only three-quarters -filled?” he asked. “Now, it’s a waste of time to weigh in less than a -full pail.”</p> - -<p>“Mine will be full next time,” Veve assured him. She really meant it -too.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span></p> - -<p>Miss Gordon told Jane she would sew up the tear in the jeans during the -lunch hour.</p> - -<p>“I have a sewing kit in my car,” she said. “Also a first aid kit. But I -hope and trust we’ll not need the latter.”</p> - -<p>“Will it soon be lunch time?” Rosemary asked. Already she was growing -hungry.</p> - -<p>“Why, we’ve scarcely started to pick,” laughed Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>After Pa Hooper had weighed all the fruit, the Brownies returned to -their posts. Soon their arms began to ache from reaching up into the -branches. And as the sun rose higher and higher, they became very warm.</p> - -<p>However, the Brownies were good sports and not afraid of hard work. No -one wanted to be the first to complain or quit, so they all kept on. -But everyone, even Miss Gordon, picked at a slower pace.</p> - -<p>Veve became very thirsty. Now and then she would eat a cherry or two.</p> - -<p>“No wonder you can’t keep up with the rest of us,” Connie scolded her. -“You stop so often to eat.”</p> - -<p>Veve knew she deserved the lecture, for she found it hard to keep her -mind on work. She liked to watch the other pickers and to glance now -and then over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> into the Wingate orchard to see what was going on there.</p> - -<p>By eleven-thirty the Brownies were so hungry they declared they were -nearly famished. They were certain they could not wait another minute -for lunch.</p> - -<p>“We’ll weigh in and open up the hamper,” Miss Gordon decided. “My! I -wonder if I packed enough lunch?”</p> - -<p>All of the Brownies except Veve quickly went to the shed to have their -cherries weighed.</p> - -<p>“Coming, Veve?” asked Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“In a minute,” the little girl answered. She did not have many cherries -in her pail and was ashamed to have either the Brownies or Mr. Hooper -see how poorly she had done.</p> - -<p>While the others were in the shed, Veve picked as fast as she could. -Even so, her bucket was not half filled.</p> - -<p>She was still working when the girls trooped out of the shed again.</p> - -<p>“Do come along, Veve!” Miss Gordon called. “We’re having our lunch now.”</p> - -<p>Veve climbed down from the stepladder and walked slowly toward the -shed. The Brownies already were at the car, removing the lunch hamper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> -and thermos jug. They planned to eat under a shady oak in the front -yard.</p> - -<p>“Hurry up, slow-poke!” Jane shouted. “You won’t get anything to eat if -you don’t.”</p> - -<p>Without going to the shed, Veve covered her pail with a handkerchief, -and joined her friends.</p> - -<p>“Haven’t you weighed in your cherries?” Connie asked her as she helped -to spread a tablecloth under the oak tree.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it later,” Veve mumbled. She knew Pa Hooper would not accept a -half bucket of cherries. He had told her twice to fill the container to -the brim before bringing it in.</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t matter how many cherries anyone picked,” said Miss Gordon -quickly. “The important thing is we’re doing useful work and earning -money for our troop.”</p> - -<p>“How much have we earned already?” Eileen asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon said she had not kept accurate account, but she was certain -it amounted to several dollars.</p> - -<p>The morning work had made the girls very hungry. Although the Brownie -leader had prepared two sandwiches for each person, it did not seem -enough.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> Veve bolted hers in a twinkling and so did Sunny. The -chocolate disappeared equally fast.</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear, I’m still hungry,” moaned Sunny. “I could eat -anything—anything, that is, except cherries.”</p> - -<p>Her remark made Veve think of a little joke. “What’s worse than biting -into a worm?” she asked the Brownies.</p> - -<p>“What could be worse?” demanded Connie.</p> - -<p>“Biting into half a worm!”</p> - -<p>The Brownies did not laugh very hard at Veve’s joke. During the morning -picking, nearly everyone had bitten into at least one worm. It had not -been a pleasant experience.</p> - -<p>“I’m so hungry, I could even go for a worm,” added Veve, just to make -the girls shudder. “Say, whose car is that?”</p> - -<p>She had noticed a familiar blue sedan turning into the driveway.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s our car!” cried Connie, leaping to her feet. “It’s Mother!”</p> - -<p>Now the Brownies were very surprised and pleased to see Mrs. Williams. -Eagerly, they swarmed about the car.</p> - -<p>“Having fun?” Connie’s mother asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!” the girls told her. They really were, too.</p> - -<p>Connie had spied two large covered baskets on the back seat of the -automobile.</p> - -<p>“What are in these?” she demanded.</p> - -<p>“Oh, those!” smiled her mother. “I thought the girls might want a -little more lunch. I baked a cake and made potato salad. But if you’ve -already had too much, I can take them home.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies all hooted in protest at such a proposal.</p> - -<p>“You leave those baskets right here!” laughed Connie.</p> - -<p>“I should say so!” echoed Eileen.</p> - -<p>“I could eat an entire cake myself,” added Jane.</p> - -<p>The Brownies carried the baskets to the big oak tree. There, upon the -tablecloth, they spread out an array of delicious looking food.</p> - -<p>Besides cake and salad, Mrs. Williams also had brought cheese and -pickles.</p> - -<p>Veve helped herself to a large piece of cake.</p> - -<p>“I’m thirsty,” she announced when she had finished the last crumb.</p> - -<p>The thermos bottles were empty. Veve thought she would try to find a -pump.</p> - -<p>“There’s one back of the shed,” Miss Gordon told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> her. “The water, -though, tastes of mineral. You’ll find better water at the spring.”</p> - -<p>“And where is that, Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>“Only fifty feet from the entrance gate. Just follow the road.” The -Brownie leader pointed out the direction.</p> - -<p>Not wishing the other girls to see the contents of her cherry pail, -Veve carried it with her.</p> - -<p>After she had trudged a short distance along the dusty road, she found -the spring. A cool stream of water flowed out of a small pipe.</p> - -<p>But someone was there ahead of Veve.</p> - -<p>She saw at once that it was Juan, the little Mexican boy.</p> - -<p>He had been washing his hands under the stream of water piped from the -hillside. One of them seemed to be scratched, for it was bleeding.</p> - -<p>“Why, what’s the matter?” Veve asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>Juan glanced up and grinned, his lips parting to show a double row of -even, white teeth.</p> - -<p>“Nothing, <em>Senorita</em>,” he replied. His tone was most polite.</p> - -<p>Veve felt quite grownup to be called a senorita, which she knew was a -Mexican word for “Miss.” It worried her, though, to see that Juan’s -hand had been deeply scratched and bruised.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span></p> - -<p>“How did you hurt your hand?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Wingate.” Juan answered briefly.</p> - -<p>Veve was horrified. “You mean he cut you?” she gasped.</p> - -<p>“No, Senorita. He shoved me and I stumbled into the wire fence.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Juan! How could he be so mean?”</p> - -<p>The Mexican boy shrugged his thin shoulders. “Wingate has an evil -temper. He treats all of his pickers mean—but he hates me worse than -the others. Often he beats me.”</p> - -<p>“I know! I saw him strike you with a stick only yesterday. Why do you -work for him?”</p> - -<p>“The pickers have a contract,” Juan explained. But he added darkly, “We -may break it. <em>Si!</em> If we leave before the fruit is harvested, then he -will be sorry!”</p> - -<p>“I should think so,” agreed Veve soberly. “Juan, wait here! I am going -to get Miss Gordon’s first aid kit and wrap up your hand.”</p> - -<p>She ran to the car for the materials she needed—cotton, gauze, iodine -and tape. Returning to the spring, she dressed the cut as Miss Gordon -had shown the Brownies how to do, and taped on the bandage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span></p> - -<p>The finished job did not look too neat, but Juan said it was fine and -made his hand feel better. He seemed very grateful.</p> - -<p>“How do you like stripping cherries?” he inquired. “Does the orchard -owner beat you if you damage the fruit?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no! Mr. Hooper is very nice. All the Brownies like him.”</p> - -<p>Juan had glanced at Veve’s nearly empty pail. “How many pounds a day -can you pick?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I’ve filled my bucket almost three times this morning.”</p> - -<p>Juan did not say anything, but from the way he smiled, Veve knew he did -not think she had picked very many cherries.</p> - -<p>“Here,” he said, a moment later.</p> - -<p>Before Veve could prevent it, he picked up his own filled bucket and -dumped cherries into hers until it was ready to overflow.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you shouldn’t have done that!” she exclaimed. “Mr Wingate won’t -like it.”</p> - -<p>“Who cares for that old goat?” scoffed Juan. “He has no friends. -Hooper, his own relative, dislikes him—and for good reason too. <em>Si!</em>”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span></p> - -<p>“Are Hooper and Wingate relatives?” Veve asked in astonishment.</p> - -<p>Before Juan could answer, he heard his name angrily called. Mr. Wingate -stood at the entrance to the orchard, gazing toward the spring.</p> - -<p>“You, Juan!” he shouted. “Stop loafing, and get back to work!”</p> - -<p>“<em>Si, Senor</em>,” the little Mexican boy muttered. Picking up his nearly -empty pail, he smiled again at Veve, and ambled up the road.</p> - -<p>Back at the Hooper orchard, the Brownies had finished their lunch and -were ready to resume their picking.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Veve?” Jane demanded impatiently. “She’s always late. She -hasn’t even weighed in her last picking.”</p> - -<p>“That’s because she didn’t have enough cherries to turn in,” said -Eileen.</p> - -<p>Veve came up to the oak tree just in time to hear the last remark.</p> - -<p>“Who says I haven’t any cherries?” she demanded, offering her pail in -proof. “Full to the brim!”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were amazed. They had been so certain that Veve’s bucket -was nearly empty.</p> - -<p>“How did you get so many cherries so quickly?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span></p> - -<p>Connie asked suspiciously. “When I last saw your pail—”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m a fast picker,” laughed Veve. Then, because she knew a Brownie -had to be honest, she added: “Well, maybe I had some help!”</p> - -<p>The girls plied her with questions. Finally, after she had tantalized -them, Veve told about her meeting with the Mexican boy.</p> - -<p>“One can’t blame the Mexican pickers for thinking of leaving if -they are mistreated,” remarked Miss Gordon when she heard Juan’s -conversation repeated. “However, I hope they don’t. If the pickers -should go away from the area before the fruit is marketed, it would be -most serious for all of the orchard owners.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies now were well fed, rested, and ready to return to their -work. Connie’s mother was sorry she had not worn old clothes so that -she too might help.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps I’ll come again tomorrow,” she declared. “That is, if it -doesn’t rain.”</p> - -<p>The sky had become slightly overcast. Although it did not look as if it -would rain very soon, a storm appeared in the offing.</p> - -<p>While the other Brownies returned to their trees, Veve went to the shed -to have her cherries weighed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span></p> - -<p>“You did very well,” Pa Hooper praised as he marked the poundage on her -card. “Guess you’re finally getting the trick of it.”</p> - -<p>Veve flushed and decided then and there that during the afternoon she -would keep her mind on her work.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mr. Hooper,” she said suddenly. “Is Carl Wingate any relation to -you?”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner nearly dropped the lug of fruit he was carrying out -to load into a truck.</p> - -<p>“What made you ask that?” he demanded. He did not seem very pleased by -the question.</p> - -<p>“I just wondered.”</p> - -<p>“Someone put you up to it! Carl Wingate is my cousin. Now get back to -your picking and don’t be pestering me with questions.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper spoke almost crossly. Veve could not understand why her -question had annoyed him. She remembered though, that Juan had said -something about the orchard owner disliking Carl Wingate.</p> - -<p>She meant to learn more about it before the Brownies were through -with the cherry picking. However, she would have to bide her time. -Pa Hooper, she could plainly see, had no intention of revealing any -secrets.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="v" id="v"></a>CHAPTER 5</small><br /> -The Brownies Lend a Hand</h2> - - -<p class="noi">VEVE awoke the next morning to the sound of rain on the roof. For a -moment she lay quite still, wondering if it were time to get up.</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear!” the little girl thought. “This means there will be no -cherry picking today.”</p> - -<p>Veve was not too disappointed, however. For when she rolled over in -bed, her shoulders ached and so did the muscles of her legs. She felt -as if she could sleep a thousand years.</p> - -<p>Just then, her mother called from downstairs: “Time to get up, Veve! -It’s after nine o’clock!”</p> - -<p>Nine o’clock! When Veve heard that, she rolled out of bed and began -to dress. She had not dreamed it could be so late for it looked dark -outside. Half the morning already was gone!</p> - -<p>Mrs. McGuire had breakfast waiting when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> little girl came -downstairs. She had set out Veve’s favorite cereal, and had cooked tiny -sausages.</p> - -<p>“U-um, u-um,” Veve declared, smacking her lips. “I’m as hungry as a -bear! Cherry picking certainly makes one hungry.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. McGuire set a tall glass of milk in front of her daughter’s plate. -“I let you sleep late because I knew you were tired,” she said. “There -will be no cherry picking today. Miss Gordon called a few minutes ago, -to say the Brownies are having a meeting though.”</p> - -<p>“Where?” Veve demanded between bites of sausage.</p> - -<p>“At Miss Gordon’s home. You’re to work on the quilt again.”</p> - -<p>Veve made a grimace which showed exactly how she felt about sewing.</p> - -<p>“The meeting starts at one,” her mother informed her.</p> - -<p>Veve would have liked to be a little late to cut down her sewing time. -She already had one demerit for tardiness, however, and could not risk -another. So she decided she would be on time.</p> - -<p>After lunch, she changed into her Brownie uniform and went to Miss -Gordon’s home. All the girls were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> disappointed by the rain. But they -agreed it was a fine time to finish the crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>“If we each sew three blocks, it will be finished,” Miss Gordon -declared. “Then I’ll put it on the frames and quilt it for you.”</p> - -<p>“When will we have the quilt sale?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon said she thought the auction and show possibly might be -held within a week or ten days.</p> - -<p>“It all depends upon when we have our quilts ready to exhibit,” she -added. “Let’s have a report now. How many have arranged to have at -least one quilt entered in the display?”</p> - -<p>Connie quickly announced that she would have two exhibits, the Sawtooth -quilt and a woven Washington coverlet.</p> - -<p>Rosemary next made her report. She said she had been promised an -Evening Star pattern. Eileen was sure she would have one in the Pine -Tree design. Sunny’s aunt had given her a very old one, made entirely -of little scraps of velvet and silk.</p> - -<p>As for Jane and Veve, they both told Miss Gordon they surely would find -quilts to enter in the show. Actually, they were a trifle worried, for -the time was short.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span></p> - -<p>When four o’clock came, the girls finished the last quilt block, and -put away their sewing. They were very tired. But they were happy and -proud too, for the crazy quilt now was ready for the frames.</p> - -<p>“I’ll stitch in our Rosedale Brownie Troop name,” Miss Gordon promised -the girls. “You’ve done quite enough as it is.”</p> - -<p>Ice cream and cake were served. Then the girls sang a Brownie song and -ended the meeting by repeating the Brownie Scout Promise:</p> - -<p>“I promise to do my best to love God and my country, to help other -people every day, especially those at home.”</p> - -<p>The girls stood at attention as they spoke the words, saluting smartly -at the end.</p> - -<p>After the dishes had been cleared away, it was time to leave.</p> - -<p>Arm in arm, the Brownies ambled down the street. The rain had ceased, -and the clouds were drifting fast as if they might clear away.</p> - -<p>“I hope it’s nice weather tomorrow,” Connie said. “I want to pick -cherries again.”</p> - -<p>At the next corner, the girls began to separate to go to their homes. -Veve walked with Connie for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> most of the distance to their street. Then -abruptly, she announced that she had to go the other way.</p> - -<p>“Why, you don’t live down that street,” Connie protested. “What are you -up to anyhow?”</p> - -<p>Veve would not say. Nor would she agree to allow her friend to -accompany her.</p> - -<p>“You’ll hear all about it at the next Brownie meeting,” she laughed. -“That is, if I have luck.”</p> - -<p>Now Veve had made up her mind to get busy and find a quilt for the -show. She had recalled that a lady who lived on White St. had a -beautiful one with dogwood flowers across its face. She meant to ask -her for permission to display it in the exhibit.</p> - -<p>“See you later!” she dismissed Connie.</p> - -<p>Now Veve knew that the owner of the dogwood quilt was Miss Adelia -Brimborough. She had never talked to her, however.</p> - -<p>Therefore, the little girl was completely taken by surprise when a -tall, prim lady answered her rap on the door.</p> - -<p>Just by looking at her, Veve guessed that she did not like children.</p> - -<p>“Well?” inquired Miss Brimborough. Her tone implied that she was in a -great hurry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span></p> - -<p>Veve started to explain about the Brownie organization and the coming -quilt show.</p> - -<p>Miss Brimborough scarcely listened. When Veve asked her rather timidly -if she would allow her dogwood quilt to be shown by the Brownies, her -answer was firm.</p> - -<p>“My dear, I am so sorry. I should like to help your fine -organization—indeed, yes. But you may not know that my dogwood blossom -quilt won second prize in the county fair last year.”</p> - -<p>“That’s why we would like to exhibit it,” Veve said quickly.</p> - -<p>“My dear, I couldn’t risk entering such a valuable quilt in a Brownie -show. It might be damaged, you see. Children are so careless.”</p> - -<p>“Brownies aren’t,” Veve insisted. “We’re taught to be responsible and -to take care of things. If you’ll let me have the quilt I’ll promise—”</p> - -<p>“Now please don’t tease,” the lady cut her short. “I am sorry, but I -can’t let you have the quilt.”</p> - -<p>Veve was tempted to make an unkind reply. She wanted to tell Miss -Brimborough that she was mean and selfish.</p> - -<p>Just in time, though, she remembered that Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> Gordon had said a -Brownie must always be courteous even though others might be rude.</p> - -<p>Miss Brimborough hadn’t been exactly rude. She merely had been very -firm.</p> - -<p>With as much dignity as she could muster, Veve said good-bye. She felt -bitterly disappointed by the refusal.</p> - -<p>Where in the world now would she find a quilt for the show? In all -Rosedale she did not know of another person who had a pretty one.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later, when Veve reached home, her mother had arrived -from the office.</p> - -<p>“Mom, do you know of anyone who might have a quilt for our Brownie -show?” the little girl asked.</p> - -<p>Mrs. McGuire, who was making out the grocery list, did not give the -question very much thought. “Why, no, dear,” she answered absently. -“Must you have one soon?”</p> - -<p>“Right away.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll try to think of someone who has a nice quilt,” her mother said. -“Just now I’m so busy—”</p> - -<p>The telephone had started to ring. Mrs. McGuire asked Veve if she would -answer it.</p> - -<p>Taking down the receiver, the little girl was surprised to hear Miss -Gordon’s voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p> - -<p>“Veve,” the Brownie leader said. “I’ve just received a call from Mr. -Hooper. He needs our help.”</p> - -<p>“At the cherry orchard, you mean?” gasped Veve. She knew Miss Gordon -would not have telephoned if the matter were not of utmost importance.</p> - -<p>“Yes, this rain has made the cherries ripen very rapidly. Mr. Hooper is -afraid he will lose much of his crop if he doesn’t get pickers right -away.”</p> - -<p>“Does he want the Brownies to come out there now, Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>“Not tonight. But he has asked us to report the first thing in the -morning. Can we count on you, Veve?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!”</p> - -<p>“Good!” Miss Gordon approved. “I’m calling all the other girls. We’re -to meet at my home at six-thirty sharp.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be there,” Veve promised.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, another thing. Mr. Hooper wants us to bring any other pickers -we can find. I thought possibly we might induce some of the mothers to -go with us.”</p> - -<p>“That would be fun! And we’d make a lot more money for the -organization!”</p> - -<p>“We certainly would,” laughed Miss Gordon. “The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> important thing though -is that we have a chance to help Mr. Hooper save his crop. It seems he -can’t have his turn at the professional pickers for several more days. -By that time he’s afraid his crop will spoil.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll ask my mother to go,” Veve promised.</p> - -<p>Mrs. McGuire worked nearly every day at a downtown office. It so -happened, however, that she was entitled to a little time off.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be glad to accompany the Brownies to the orchard,” she -assured her daughter. “Until now I’ve had little chance to help the -organization. This will give me a splendid opportunity.”</p> - -<p>All of the other mothers felt exactly the same way.</p> - -<p>So the next morning, six Brownies and six mothers gathered early at -Miss Gordon’s home.</p> - -<p>“Thirteen of us,” the Brownie leader declared, counting noses. “Dear -me, I hope that’s not unlucky.”</p> - -<p>“It will be a lucky number for our Brownie troop!” laughed Connie. -“Think how many pounds of cherries we’ll pick today.”</p> - -<p>Everyone was in high spirits. The sun shone brightly and the day gave -promise of being pleasant. With the mothers going along, the cherry -picking would become a real outing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span></p> - -<p>Six heavily laden lunch hampers already had been loaded into the cars.</p> - -<p>Veve spied Miss Gordon putting in another large, squarish package which -did not look as if it contained anything to eat.</p> - -<p>“What’s in that one?” the little girl asked curiously.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon only smiled.</p> - -<p>“Surprise,” she hinted mysteriously. “Wait until lunch time. Then -you’ll see!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="vi" id="vi"></a>CHAPTER 6</small><br /> -A Missing Coverlet</h2> - - -<p class="noi">VEVE was happy as a lark, humming a Brownie song as she stripped -cherries into her pail. Now that she had learned the trick of pulling -the fruit from the trees, it was much easier for her to keep up with -the other pickers.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, she had a secret! In fact, two of them.</p> - -<p>“What makes you so chirpy this morning?” demanded Connie, who was -picking in the next tree.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m just feeling top-notch!” laughed Veve. “Thinking of that good -lunch we’ll soon be eating!”</p> - -<p>“That’s not entirely the reason,” insisted Connie. “You’ve been pepped -up ever since we drove out here this morning. In fact—you acted as if -you saw something on the way that gave you a big lift.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I did.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well, I didn’t see anything different than usual.”</p> - -<p>“Then you couldn’t have looked where I did,” Veve teased. “I saw it -right close to Pa Hooper’s farm—at the first one down the road.”</p> - -<p>“Carl Wingate’s place?”</p> - -<p>“Goodness, no. I mean the house on this side of the road.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I didn’t see anything,” Connie declared. She brushed a strand of -hair from her eyes. “Stop teasing me, Veve! What did you notice?”</p> - -<p>“A quilt hanging on the line!” Veve announced, her eyes sparkling. -“Oh, it was a beauty, Connie! Even from the road I could see that the -pattern was unusual—all stars and wheels in blue and white.”</p> - -<p>“I must have been looking the other direction. I didn’t see it.”</p> - -<p>“None of the Brownies did. It was flapping there on the clothesline as -much as to say, ‘Come and get me, Veve!’ That’s what I intend to do! At -lunch time, I’m going to slip over to that house and ask the lady if -she’ll let me have the quilt for our show.”</p> - -<p>In her enthusiasm, Veve did not realize that she was talking in a loud, -shrill voice. Jane Tuttle, who was working in the next tree, heard the -conversation. She became so interested that for a minute or two she -forgot to pick cherries.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> - -<p>“I guess I won’t be a tail-ender after all!” Veve declared in -satisfaction. “I’ll beat Jane!”</p> - -<p>The little girl said no more about the quilt. However, when at last -Miss Gordon signaled the Brownies that it was time to knock off for -luncheon, she was off her ladder in a flash.</p> - -<p>“See you later!” she called to Connie. “Save me some lunch, if I’m -late.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon was directing the girls and their mothers to the big oak -where lunch was to be served. In counting noses, she failed to see Jane -Tuttle.</p> - -<p>“Why, I wonder where she is?” she inquired aloud. “Come to think of it, -I haven’t seen her around for the last fifteen or twenty minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Jane went to the shed awhile ago to weigh in her fruit,” Sunny -informed. “I never saw her come back though.”</p> - -<p>At that very moment, one of the girls sighted the missing Brownie. She -came walking jauntily through the gate, pigtails swinging. Her shoes -were quite dusty, an indication that she had tramped along the road.</p> - -<p>“Oh, girls! Guess what?” she greeted the Brownies. Jane looked directly -at Veve as she spoke.</p> - -<p>“Where have you been?” Veve demanded suspiciously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span></p> - -<p>Jane laughed. “Off looking for a quilt!” she informed saucily. “Found -one too!”</p> - -<p>“You found a quilt for the Brownie show?” Veve asked in a weak voice.</p> - -<p>“At the farm next to this one! Oh, it’s a dandy! Blue and white. It’s -called the Ship’s Wheel pattern. The lady who owns it says she’ll be -glad to let me have it for the display.”</p> - -<p>“She’ll let <em>you</em> have it!” Veve cried. “But that was <em>my</em> quilt!”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t yours until you had it promised,” chuckled Jane. “The early -bird catches the worm, you know! You’re a pretty late bird, Veve.”</p> - -<p>“You heard me tell Connie about the quilt!” Veve accused. “Then you -sneaked off before I had a chance and asked for it.”</p> - -<p>“So what?” laughed Jane. “You can get another quilt. Only of course, -this makes you the tail-ender!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon, who had heard the girls arguing, came over to ask what was -wrong. Veve told her what had happened.</p> - -<p>“Why, Jane,” the Brownie leader said in surprise. “I didn’t think you -would do a thing like that. It doesn’t seem quite honest or fair.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span></p> - -<p>“I only wanted to get ahead of Veve,” Jane said, now feeling ashamed of -herself. “Oh, well! I’ll give her the old quilt.”</p> - -<p>Veve, however, was too proud to accept it.</p> - -<p>“No, thank you,” she said. “I will find another one—a much nicer -pattern.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies did not tease Veve about being a ‘tail-ender.’ In -fact, they very carefully avoided talking about the Ship’s Wheel quilt. -Jane knew that the girls felt she had been unfair in taking Veve’s -quilt. She was sorry now that she had done it, but she did not know how -to make amends.</p> - -<p>The girls and their mothers ate lunch under the oak tree. While they -rested, Miss Gordon brought out the mysterious package Veve had seen -her slip into the car that morning.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the surprise,” the Brownie leader announced. “Our -quilt—entirely finished!”</p> - -<p>As the teacher carefully spread the quilted coverlet on the grass the -girls exclaimed in delight.</p> - -<p>The quilt might be “crazy” in pattern, but never had they seen such a -splash of gay colors! Blue, gold, red, green, yellow and every hue of -the rainbow.</p> - -<p>Altogether, the quilt was so beautiful that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> girls disliked -the thought of selling it. Of course they would, however, for the -organization needed money.</p> - -<p>“How did you finish it so quickly?” Connie inquired.</p> - -<p>“I had many willing helpers,” Miss Gordon explained. “Last night we had -a quilting bee at my home.”</p> - -<p>“What’s a quilting bee?” questioned Sunny curiously.</p> - -<p>“A quilting party,” Miss Gordon explained. “I invited teachers from -the Rosedale School and a number of my other friends. First we tacked -the quilt onto wooden frames. Then we put a backing on it and filled -in a layer of cotton. Finally, we tacked it down and took it from the -frames.”</p> - -<p>“My, that must have been a lot of work!” exclaimed Rosemary. “Even more -than making the quilt blocks.”</p> - -<p>“It was,” admitted the teacher. “But finishing such a fine quilt was -well worth while. Don’t you all feel that way about it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!” agreed the Brownies.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon showed the girls the lower right-hand corner of the quilt. -In tiny red stitches, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> Rosedale Brownie Troop name had been etched -in.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I like that!” Connie cried. “Now, even though someone else buys -our quilt, the Brownie name always will be on it.”</p> - -<p>“It’s almost like having an autograph quilt,” declared Veve.</p> - -<p>While the other girls chattered excitedly about the coming quilt show, -Jane Tuttle had nothing to say.</p> - -<p>In truth, she felt quite ashamed of the way she had acted.</p> - -<p>“Don’t feel bad, Jane,” Veve said to cheer her. “It’s all right about -the quilt. I’ll find another.”</p> - -<p>Jane brightened at that. “I’ll help you get one, Veve,” she promised.</p> - -<p>Then she added: “You know something? While I was at that next-door -house, I learned some interesting things about Mr. Hooper.”</p> - -<p>“You did?” Veve was eager to hear all about it.</p> - -<p>“His house burned down nearly three years ago, the lady said. And guess -why he never rebuilt it!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he didn’t have the money.”</p> - -<p>“That’s not the real reason,” replied Jane. “He didn’t rebuild the -house, because he’s afraid he will lose his entire orchard.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span></p> - -<p>“Lose it? How? Doesn’t he have enough money to pay the taxes?” Veve -had heard her mother say that to hold property one had to pay taxes -regularly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it isn’t that!” Jane explained impatiently. “He’s afraid he will -have to turn the place over to Mr. Wingate.”</p> - -<p>“To that old demon!”</p> - -<p>“It’s because of a will or something,” Jane said vaguely. “The lady -told me, but I didn’t pay close attention. Anyway, Pa Hooper and Mr. -Wingate have had a lot of trouble. They’re cousins, but they dislike -each other.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t blame Mr. Hooper for not liking Carl Wingate,” Veve declared -with feeling. “Why, it would be dreadful if he would get both orchards.”</p> - -<p>“The quilt lady seemed to think that’s the way it will turn out. She -said Pa Hooper is afraid this harvest is the last one he’ll ever get -from his orchard. And he may lose most of it too!”</p> - -<p>“Why will he lose his cherries, Jane?”</p> - -<p>“Because the fruit is ripening so fast. He expected the Mexican pickers -two days ago, but they’re still at the Wingate place. Mr. Hooper can’t -get them until they’ve finished Wingate’s picking.”</p> - -<p>“He has us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span></p> - -<p>“But you know we’re not fast pickers, Veve. A good stripper can get -almost 300 pounds a day from a tree. Mr. Hooper needs two experienced -pickers to every acre. At least that’s what the quilt lady told me.”</p> - -<p>“I wish the Mexicans would leave Mr. Wingate’s place and come here.”</p> - -<p>“So do I, but they have to finish their contract first. Mr. Wingate -has a heavy crop, and he won’t let the pickers move on until they’re -completely finished.”</p> - -<p>As the girls talked, Miss Gordon called that it was time to return to -the orchard. Before leaving, she carefully folded the quilt inside out -and left it lying on the grass not far from the picnic baskets.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon, the Brownies and their mothers picked steadily.</p> - -<p>The work seemed much easier now. Even so, everyone began to grow a -little tired about four o’clock.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Davidson had just finished filling her bucket when, without -warning, the breeze began to freshen.</p> - -<p>Two or three strong gusts swept through the orchard, blowing papers and -stirring the limbs of the trees.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span></p> - -<p>“Girls, better come down from your ladders,” Miss Gordon called. “It -looks as if we’re in for a wind storm.”</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the girls descended, however, than the wind died away as -quickly as it had come.</p> - -<p>“False alarm,” laughed Miss Gordon. “We may as well go back to work.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Davidson said it was time for her to go home and start supper. She -was the first to leave, taking Sunny with her.</p> - -<p>After that, Mrs. Williams had to go and so did Eileen’s mother. They -promised, however, that if the weather remained favorable, they would -return the following morning.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hooper really needs every picker he can get,” Miss Gordon said -soberly. “He tells me his entire crop must be harvested before the -end of the week. Otherwise, much of the fruit will be rejected by the -cannery as over-ripe.”</p> - -<p>One by one the mothers left the orchard, taking their daughters with -them. Miss Gordon was among the last to depart.</p> - -<p>“Girls,” she said to Veve and Rosemary, who were to ride with her, -“will you bring the lunch baskets, please?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span></p> - -<p>Hand in hand, they raced to the oak tree where lunch had been served. -All but two of the baskets already had been loaded into other cars.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad there’s not much to carry,” Veve said.</p> - -<p>She picked up one of the baskets and gave the other to Rosemary.</p> - -<p>At the parked car, Miss Gordon shoved the hampers into the rear luggage -compartment.</p> - -<p>“There, I guess we have everything,” she declared. “My, but I am tired.”</p> - -<p>“So am I,” yawned Veve. “After this picking job is over, I’ll go to bed -and sleep a million years!”</p> - -<p>The two girls curled up on the back seat, intending to relax during the -ride into Rosedale.</p> - -<p>A truck from the canning factory had blocked the entrance gate to Pa -Hooper’s property. Not until it had moved on with its load of fruit, -was Miss Gordon able to drive out into the main road.</p> - -<p>The automobile had traveled perhaps a mile toward the city when the -Brownie leader thought of an important matter.</p> - -<p>“By the way, I don’t recall packing the Brownie crazy quilt,” she said. -“Did either of you look after it?”</p> - -<p>“Not I,” said Rosemary.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span></p> - -<p>“Neither did I,” returned Veve. “I didn’t even see the quilt under the -tree when we picked up the lunch baskets.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe one of the mothers took it,” suggested Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon now was rather troubled.</p> - -<p>“I should have thought about the quilt, but it slipped my mind,” she -said, slowing the car. “It may have been left under the tree. I believe -we should drive back there to make certain.”</p> - -<p>The Brownie leader turned the automobile around and returned to the -Hooper orchard. This time she went with Rosemary and Veve to the oak -tree where they had eaten the picnic lunch.</p> - -<p>However, they could not find the crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>“One of the Brownie mothers may have taken it,” Miss Gordon decided. -“Oh, well, I wanted to be sure the quilt wasn’t left behind. Odd, I -didn’t see anyone carry it to a car.”</p> - -<p>En route back to Rosedale, the Brownie leader did not have a great deal -to say. Veve and Rosemary could not tell whether she was uneasy about -the quilt or was thinking of other matters.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon dropped Rosemary off at the Fritche<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> home. Mrs. Fritche -said she had not seen the crazy quilt either.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps Mrs. Davidson has it,” she suggested. “As I recall, she was -one of the first to leave.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll telephone all the mothers,” the Brownie leader said. “Someone -must have the coverlet.”</p> - -<p>Before taking Veve home, Miss Gordon stopped at her own residence. From -there she called Mrs. Davidson.</p> - -<p>Sunny’s mother reported that she had not seen or taken the crazy quilt -from beneath the tree.</p> - -<p>In turn, Miss Gordon called all the mothers who had attended the -picnic. Mrs. Williams was the last name on her list.</p> - -<p>“Why, no,” replied Connie’s mother, in answer to the Brownie leader’s -question. “I did not take the quilt. For that matter, I didn’t even -notice that it was under the tree.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon turned away from the telephone, very much discouraged.</p> - -<p>“Veve,” she said, “how can I tell the Brownies? After all our work, the -crazy quilt is gone! While we were so busy picking, I’m afraid someone -took it!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="vii" id="vii"></a>CHAPTER 7</small><br /> -Pa Hooper’s Trunk</h2> - - -<p class="noi">NEXT morning at the orchard, the main topic of conversation was the -loss of the crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>Everyone agreed that Miss Gordon had left it lying under the oak tree. -No one recalled seeing it after that.</p> - -<p>“Pickers went to and from the orchard all day,” Miss Gordon declared. -“Oh, dear, it was careless of me not to have locked it in the car. And -to think how many long hours the Brownies spent on their beautiful -blocks!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe one of the Mexicans took it!” suggested Rosemary. “I saw that -little boy they call Juan walking along the road about four o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Juan wouldn’t steal,” Veve said, going quickly to his defense. “He’s -nice and I like him!”</p> - -<p>“We mustn’t accuse anyone,” said Miss Gordon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> “The fault was entirely -my own. I’ll try somehow to make it up to the Brownies. Just at the -moment, I can’t think of any way to do it. Every one of those stitches -was precious.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies felt the same way about their work. Not for anything in -the world would they have sewed another quilt. They felt its loss very -keenly.</p> - -<p>“Does this mean we won’t have the quilt show or the auction?” Eileen -asked.</p> - -<p>“We can’t have the auction because we have no quilt to sell,” the -teacher replied. “As for the show, I vote that we go on with it exactly -as we planned.”</p> - -<p>“So do I!” cried Connie, and all the other girls agreed.</p> - -<p>Veve, however, was not as enthusiastic as the others, because she was -afraid she never would find a quilt to display.</p> - -<p>“I have another idea too!” Miss Gordon announced cheerfully.</p> - -<p>The Brownies demanded to know what it was.</p> - -<p>“Why not have a cherry festival in connection with our quilt show?” the -teacher proposed. “It might help to draw a crowd and would be fun to -plan.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, that sounds exciting!” approved Connie. “How do we do it?”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon outlined her plans, and invited the girls to add their own -suggestions. She had cut out petal patterns from which the girls could -make artificial cherry blossoms to decorate booths.</p> - -<p>“We can have paper lanterns decorated with the blossoms,” she went on. -“Then you might like to select a festival queen. If so, we’ll need a -throne.”</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t that mean a lot of work?” Eileen asked. Already she was -feeling rather tired from so much cherry picking.</p> - -<p>“The throne could be made quite easily by using a swing. The rope -strands would be entwined with cherry blossoms. I think it would be -nice if we had the festival out-of-doors. That is, if the weather is -fair. We’ve had so much rain lately.”</p> - -<p>One and all the Brownies liked Miss Gordon’s idea for the cherry -festival. Somehow, planning for it eased the loss of their quilt.</p> - -<p>“When will we have the festival?” Veve asked.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon said she thought the next week-end might be the best -time. Although that did not give the Brownies very long for their -preparations, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> could do it if everyone worked together. And all -the mothers had promised to help.</p> - -<p>“I’ll make the posters tonight,” Miss Gordon offered. “As soon as you -can, bring the promised quilts to my house.”</p> - -<p>With the festival and quilt show almost at hand, Veve wondered what she -would do for an exhibit.</p> - -<p>Later that morning when she carried her pail of cherries to the shed -for weighing, she asked Pa Hooper if he knew of anyone who might have a -quilt she could borrow.</p> - -<p>“Bless you, no,” he answered. “If my sister, Ella, were alive, she -could give you a dozen of ’em. Ella made beautiful quilts.”</p> - -<p>“Haven’t you any of them now?”</p> - -<p>“Not a one, child. All the quilts burned when the house was destroyed. -That was right after my sister died. All my papers and records were -burned too. Everything I owned.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper sighed as he poured Veve’s cherries into a sorting bin.</p> - -<p>“If everything hadn’t burned,” he hinted, “I might not find myself -where I am now. I’d show that upstart, Carl Wingate, a thing or two! As -it is, he holds the whip hand.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span></p> - -<p>Veve could not guess what the old man meant.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you save anything from the fire?” she asked. “Not a single -thing?”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper waved his gnarled hand toward a far corner of the shed.</p> - -<p>“Only that old trunk and bureau,” he said, pointing to two dusty, -carpet-covered objects. “Neither of them contained anything of value.”</p> - -<p>“Have you looked carefully, Mr. Hooper?”</p> - -<p>“Most carefully, Miss Veve. I’d give a lot if I could find one of -Ella’s old letters—in fact, anything bearing her signature.”</p> - -<p>“You’re certain there isn’t an old letter somewhere in the trunk?”</p> - -<p>“Quite certain.”</p> - -<p>Veve hesitated a moment, and then said:</p> - -<p>“Sometimes, Mr. Hooper, trunks have secret compartments or false -bottoms. I know, because I’ve read about it in stories.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper chuckled as he stooped to pat Cap, who licked his hand.</p> - -<p>“So you think my sister’s old trunk might have a secret compartment?”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“My sister Ella wasn’t the type to hide anything.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> She was open and -above board about everything she did. That’s why it seemed so queer -about her will—”</p> - -<p>The old man lapsed into deep thought without finishing what he had -started to say. He seemed to forget that Veve was in the shed.</p> - -<p>After awhile, recalling her presence, he said briskly: “Well, four more -pounds of cherries to add to your total. You’re catching up with the -others, Veve. Keep up the good work!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” Veve agreed.</p> - -<p>Then, because she was deeply interested in the old trunk and the -bureau, she spoke of them again.</p> - -<p>“Would you mind if I went through ’em sometime?” she asked. “Perhaps -I might find an old letter of your sister’s. Mother says I have very -sharp eyes.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve looked through the trunk a dozen times,” Pa Hooper returned. -“It’s a useless task.”</p> - -<p>Observing Veve’s disappointment, he added quickly: “But you may search -if you’re a mind to.”</p> - -<p>“Right now?” Veve asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I guess you could, only it will keep you from your cherry picking.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go through the trunk at the lunch hour,” Veve decided.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span></p> - -<p>The little girl returned to the orchard to tell the Brownies of her -plan. She found several of the girls gathered in a group around Jane.</p> - -<p>“It’s been taken!” Jane was saying excitedly. “The Brownie pin was on -my jeans and now it’s gone. It disappeared the same as the quilt did!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon came down from her ladder to learn what was wrong.</p> - -<p>Jane told her that she had worn the dancing elf pin that morning on her -shirt. Only a few minutes before she had noticed that it was missing.</p> - -<p>“You must have lost it somewhere in the orchard,” the Brownie leader -declared. “But it isn’t right to suggest that someone took it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, someone went off with our quilt!”</p> - -<p>“That was a different matter, Jane. And I blame myself. I never should -have left the coverlet under the tree.”</p> - -<p>Jane made a great fuss over the loss of the pin. For nearly half an -hour she gave up cherry picking and searched everywhere on the ground.</p> - -<p>Several of the Brownies helped her. But they could not find the missing -pin.</p> - -<p>“It makes me fairly ill,” Jane said in a discouraged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> voice. “First our -quilt—and now my pin. There must be someone dishonest in this orchard!”</p> - -<p>“But Jane, no one could have taken the pin off your jeans without you -having seen them,” Connie pointed out. “Besides, the pickers all seem -very nice. I’m sure they wouldn’t steal.”</p> - -<p>Besides the Brownies and their mothers, Pa Hooper had ten and sometimes -twelve other persons picking for him. Everyone seemed friendly and -pleasant.</p> - -<p>The women pickers always spoke to the Brownies when they met them at -the packing shed. Of course the girls had asked everyone about the -missing quilt. No one had seen it. And now, no one knew anything about -the lost pin.</p> - -<p>After awhile the Brownies went back to their picking again. Even though -Jane wanted them to keep looking for her pin, they felt they could not -take any more time.</p> - -<p>Veve told the girls about the trunk and the old bureau in the packing -shed.</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could find some of Ella Hooper’s -handwriting!” she speculated. “If I could, maybe Pa Hooper wouldn’t -have to give up his orchard!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span></p> - -<p>The morning was pleasantly cool. By now the Brownies had become fairly -steady if not fast pickers. Of course, they could not keep up with the -others. But there were so many of them that their total kept growing -and growing.</p> - -<p>“What will we do with all our money?” Connie mused.</p> - -<p>“Go camping, or maybe on a long trip!” Eileen proposed instantly. “I’d -like to go to New York City or maybe Washington!”</p> - -<p>All the Brownies laughed, for the idea seemed quite impossible. Even if -they picked cherries for a week, they knew they could not earn enough -for a long trip. But just the thought of it excited them.</p> - -<p>At noon the Brownies ate their luncheon as quickly as possible. Veve -went to the spring, hoping to see the little Mexican boy again. He was -not there, but as she bent down for a cool drink, she saw something -bright and shining lying in the mud.</p> - -<p>It was the missing Brownie pin!</p> - -<p>“And Jane was so sure someone took it!” Veve chuckled, washing the -emblem under the stream of water. “Wait until she hears about this!”</p> - -<p>Racing back to the orchard, she gave the pin to Jane.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well, can you beat that!” the other girl exclaimed. “I remember now, -I went to the spring a couple of hours ago. I guess the pin must have -slipped off my jeans and I didn’t notice.”</p> - -<p>“You see how unfair it is to accuse anyone when you aren’t sure,” added -Rosemary severely.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t accuse any one person,” Jane defended herself. “I just said -it might have been someone. Anyway, our quilt still is missing!”</p> - -<p>With lunch finished, Veve planned to get busy on the old trunk.</p> - -<p>Before she could do so, however, Miss Gordon called the Brownies -together.</p> - -<p>“Girls, how would you like to ride to the canning factory?” she -inquired.</p> - -<p>“What would we do there?” Connie asked quickly. She was very much -interested, as were all the Brownies.</p> - -<p>“I thought we might see how cherries are canned commercially.”</p> - -<p>“Will we go now in your car?” inquired Sunny.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon explained that they would ride with Bill Flint, a truck -driver, who hauled Mr. Hooper’s cherries.</p> - -<p>“Oh! We’re going in a truck?” Veve exclaimed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> Immediately, she decided -to postpone her examination of the old trunk. “That will be gobs of -fun!”</p> - -<p>“I thought you might enjoy it,” Miss Gordon smiled. “Bring your -sweaters, girls. We may be gone for an hour or so.”</p> - -<p>The mothers of the Brownies decided they would rather remain at the -orchard. All of the girls, however, wanted to go.</p> - -<p>Off they raced for their jackets and sweaters. Already Bill Flint was -loading the truck with lugs of cherries.</p> - -<p>“I’ll take Miss Gordon and two of the Brownies with me up front,” he -told them. “The rest will have to stand up in the back. It’s not far, -though, to the factory.”</p> - -<p>Connie and Rosemary sat with the Brownie leader. The other girls -climbed into the rear of the truck, finding a tiny space which was not -loaded with boxes.</p> - -<p>“Whoever saw so many cherries!” Veve marveled. “And just think! We -picked most of ’em!”</p> - -<p>Bill Flint started the big truck engine. It made such a roar that, for -a minute, the girls could not hear their own voices.</p> - -<p>The truck rattled off down the road, past the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> Wingate orchard. At the -first corner it turned right, onto a wide paved road.</p> - -<p>Before the truck had gone very far, the Brownies caught sight of -another cherry hauler, directly ahead. And as they neared the factory, -they saw more and more trucks, all laden with fruit.</p> - -<p>“Everyone must be going to the cannery!” Veve laughed. Her words came -out in jerks, for the truck at that moment was passing over a broken -patch of pavement.</p> - -<p>A moment later, the vehicle came to a complete standstill.</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong?” called Eileen in alarm. “Do we have a flat tire?”</p> - -<p>Bill Flint did not need to answer the questions. By looking ahead down -the road, the Brownies could see an almost endless line of trucks. -Bumper to bumper, they stood, waiting their turn to move up to the -factory loading and unloading dock.</p> - -<p>“Afraid we’re stuck here for awhile,” the truck driver said, switching -off the motor.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the Brownies were traffic locked. Until the cherry-laden trucks -ahead moved up, they could not budge.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="viii" id="viii"></a>CHAPTER 8</small><br /> -Duck’s Foot in the Mud</h2> - - -<p class="noi">AT first, the Brownies did not mind waiting in line. They sang songs -and played one of their favorite games.</p> - -<p>Connie started it by saying: “I see something green which begins with -the letter ‘P.’ What is it?”</p> - -<p>“A tree!” cried Eileen before she stopped to think.</p> - -<p>“A tree doesn’t start with the letter ‘P,’” Connie reminded her.</p> - -<p>“Paint!” guessed Sunny Davidson, stretching a cramped arm. “Green paint -on that truck just ahead!”</p> - -<p>“That’s a good guess, but you aren’t right,” laughed Connie. “I’ll give -you a tiny hint. The object I’m thinking about is over in that field to -the right.”</p> - -<p>All the Brownies glanced toward the truck garden where many green -things were growing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span></p> - -<p>“Potatoes!” cried Veve. “Green potato plants!”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” agreed Connie. “Now it’s your turn.”</p> - -<p>Veve looked quickly about for an object. On the opposite side of the -road, a washing hung on a line. The little girl noticed a blue shirt -flapping in the breeze.</p> - -<p>“I see something which starts with the letter ‘S’—” she began, and -then broke off.</p> - -<p>She had seen another object even more interesting. Also on the line -hung a red and white patterned quilt. Even from so far away Veve could -see that it was a most unusual design.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I see a quilt!” she cried.</p> - -<p>“You’re not supposed to tell,” Jane chided her. “And quilt doesn’t -start with ‘S.’”</p> - -<p>“I’m not playing that game any more,” Veve announced. She was thinking -hard. “I have an idea.”</p> - -<p>“You and your ideas!” scoffed Jane.</p> - -<p>Veve, however, did not hear. She nudged the truck driver.</p> - -<p>“Bill, how long will we have to stay here?”</p> - -<p>“Hard to tell,” he replied. “Something seems to be holding up the -trucks at the cannery. They’re not moving up very fast.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span></p> - -<p>“Will we be here ten minutes?”</p> - -<p>“We might. Then again we might not.”</p> - -<p>“I can make it,” Veve declared and started to scramble over the high -sideboard of the truck.</p> - -<p>Jane clutched her by the seat of her jeans.</p> - -<p>“Hey, you! Where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.</p> - -<p>“After that quilt.” Veve pulled free and leaped lightly to the -pavement. “I’m going to ask if I may have it for our Brownie show.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll be left behind!”</p> - -<p>“It won’t take me but a minute,” Veve insisted. “May I go, Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>“Are you certain you won’t take longer than ten minutes?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure I can make it! Oh, please let me inquire about the quilt.”</p> - -<p>“Run fast then,” the Brownie leader urged. “If the trucks ahead move -on, we will have to pull up too to keep our place in line.”</p> - -<p>“I can catch up,” Veve insisted. “The trucks only move a few feet at a -time.”</p> - -<p>Before Miss Gordon could offer another objection, she darted off to the -farmhouse.</p> - -<p>Good luck was with Veve. As she entered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> yard, she saw a stout -woman in a pink checked gingham dress hanging up another basket of -clothes.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” Veve gasped. She was quite out of breath from running.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, my dear,” returned the lady, taking clothes pins from -her mouth. “Have I ever seen you before?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so. You see, I just jumped out of that cherry truck. I -wanted to ask about your beautiful quilt.”</p> - -<p>As she spoke, Veve glanced over her shoulder toward the road. To her -dismay, she saw that the truck already had moved a few feet ahead. She -would have to talk fast unless she wanted to be left behind.</p> - -<p>“It is a lovely quilt,” said the lady. “I believe the pattern is called -‘Duck’s Foot in the Mud.’ The pieced blocks do resemble the imprint of -a duck’s webbed foot.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes,” agreed Veve, scarcely heeding what the woman said. “The -quilt would look simply gorgeous in our Brownie quilt show. Would -you—would you please let me borrow it for the display? I’d take the -very best care of it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span></p> - -<p>The lady smiled because the little girl seemed so worried and earnest.</p> - -<p>“Why, I’d love to let you have the quilt for a display,” she said. -“Only I can’t.”</p> - -<p>“You can’t?” Veve quavered.</p> - -<p>“No. You see, the quilt isn’t mine to offer.”</p> - -<p>“But I thought—”</p> - -<p>“You saw it hanging on the line and assumed I owned it? No, I merely am -washing the quilt for another lady. She lives a long distance from here -too.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” Veve’s face, which had been very bright, now became as dreary as -a rainy day. “Then of course you couldn’t let me have it. Oh, dear! -I’ll always be a tail-ender, I guess. You—you don’t own a single quilt -of your own?”</p> - -<p>“No, I’ve always used blankets.”</p> - -<p>The lady very much wanted to help Veve. However, she did not know how -to do it.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Gwinn on Seventeenth St. owns the ‘Duck’s Foot in the Mud’ -quilt,” she said. “I could telephone her, but I am afraid she would not -want anyone to borrow her quilt. Of all the folks for whom I wash, she -is my fussiest customer.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p> - -<p>“I guess I will just have to go without a quilt,” Veve said, deeply -discouraged. “Well, thank you just the same.”</p> - -<p>The little girl started away.</p> - -<p>“Wait!” the lady called her back. “Come to think of it, I do have a -quilt!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, grand!” exclaimed Veve, scarcely believing her good fortune.</p> - -<p>“On second thought, I’m afraid you wouldn’t want it for your exhibit. -You see, it’s a very old quilt—but not in the least fancy.”</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t matter. Just so it’s a quilt. That’s all that counts.”</p> - -<p>“Wait here,” the lady instructed. “I’ll show it to you.”</p> - -<p>She disappeared into the house. A few minutes later, she was back again -with the quilt.</p> - -<p>Even though Veve had not expected an elegant coverlet, it was hard for -her not to show her disappointment. The quilt was faded and never had -been made of very pretty colors. In general appearance it resembled the -Brownies’ crazy quilt. However, it was not half so pretty.</p> - -<p>“You see, it isn’t much,” the lady apologized. “It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> was given to me -years ago, by a lady now dead. But if you can use it, take it along. -You needn’t bother to bring it back as I never use it any more.”</p> - -<p>“You mean it’s mine to keep?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, dear, if you think you can use it. I’m sorry I haven’t a nicer -quilt to offer.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I can use this one,” Veve assured her. “Yes, indeed!”</p> - -<p>The pleasant lady offered to wrap up the coverlet, but there was no -time.</p> - -<p>Already the long line of cherry-laden trucks had started to move slowly -ahead.</p> - -<p>From the roadway, Miss Gordon and the Brownies waved their arms and -shouted for Veve to hurry.</p> - -<p>“Never mind wrapping the quilt,” the little girl said nervously. “I’ll -take it just as it is. Thanks a million!”</p> - -<p>“You’re welcome, I’m sure,” the lady smiled. “Do come and see me again -sometime when you have more time. Who knows? I might have a few spare -sugar cookies in my jar.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll come,” Veve promised. She really meant it too.</p> - -<p>Starting off at a run, she called over her shoulder, “You must come to -our Brownie quilt show! I’ll let you know the day later.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span></p> - -<p>The quilt tucked under her arm, the little girl raced for the road. In -her haste, she ran through a mud puddle and caked both shoes. But she -could not stop to clean them.</p> - -<p>Bill Flint and the Brownies had waited for her, even though the other -truck drivers did not like it very well. The trucks ahead had moved up, -leaving a long gap of roadway.</p> - -<p>Behind the Brownie truck, drivers were tooting their horns impatiently. -They wanted Bill Flint to pull on ahead.</p> - -<p>“Hurry! Hurry!” the Brownies called to Veve.</p> - -<p>She leaped a little ditch and reached the side of the truck, quite -breathless.</p> - -<p>Reaching down, the Brownies hauled her, quilt and all, over the side.</p> - -<p>Bill Flint started ahead an instant later. The thunder of the big truck -engine was so loud for several minutes that Veve could not make herself -heard.</p> - -<p>Soon, however, the truck had caught up with those ahead. Then it slowed -to a standstill again.</p> - -<p>“Veve McGuire! You nearly gave us heart failure!” Jane accused crossly. -“You stayed and stayed at that house on the hill, and paid no attention -when we yelled for you to come!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span></p> - -<p>“I ran as fast as I could. Anyway, I got a quilt.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s see it,” Sunny urged. “Is it real pretty?”</p> - -<p>Veve was careful not to answer the question. She spread the quilt out -for the girls to see.</p> - -<p>In the bright sunlight, the coverlet looked even more faded than at -first sight. The right hand corner bore an ugly brown stain. One of the -edges was frayed.</p> - -<p>For a moment, the Brownies merely gazed at the quilt. No one said a -word.</p> - -<p>Then Jane, always outspoken, found her tongue.</p> - -<p>“You call <em>that</em> a quilt?” Her tone was most scornful.</p> - -<p>“It is a quilt!” Veve said, her eyes flashing. “The nice lady said so! -Furthermore, she didn’t just loan me the coverlet. She gave it to me!”</p> - -<p>“And no wonder!” went on Jane. “It’s not worth a thing! Why, I bet a -dog used it for a bed!”</p> - -<p>“That’s not so,” Veve retorted. She was becoming angry now as well as -hurt. “It’s a good quilt and I like it!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe you can find a better one before the show,” Sunny interposed. -“One that’s not so faded.”</p> - -<p>Veve started to reply, but words would not come. Instead, a salty tear -trickled down her nose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> - -<p>In the front seat of the truck, Miss Gordon had turned around to see -what was wrong.</p> - -<p>“May I see your quilt, Veve?” she asked kindly.</p> - -<p>The little girl nodded and handed it over in a lumpy roll. She felt -ashamed of the quilt now, and wished that she never had accepted it -even as a gift. The girls never would get over teasing her!</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon examined the quilt for a moment without comment. Jane and -Eileen openly tittered.</p> - -<p>“Why, Veve!” the Brownie leader said unexpectedly. “What a lovely old -quilt! It’s the only one of its type we have for our show.”</p> - -<p>The tears stopped trickling down Veve’s nose. She did not trust herself -to answer. Did Miss Gordon really like the quilt or was she only trying -to be kind?</p> - -<p>“The quilt’s old enough!” giggled Jane. “It must have come over in the -Ark!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon gazed at the little girl most severely.</p> - -<p>“Jane, I’m afraid you’re not a very good judge of quilts,” she said. -“One can’t always judge by the brightness of the colors, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Is the quilt really good enough to be in our exhibit?” Veve asked, -taking hope.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span></p> - -<p>“Indeed, it is. Girls, this is an excellent example of the autograph -patch!”</p> - -<p>The Brownie leader explained that in an autograph patch quilt, each -block was made by a different person who signed her name or stitched it -in.</p> - -<p>“This quilt has dozens of names and the dates when the blocks were -made,” she pointed out. “See, some are in cross-stitch. Others have -been written with indelible pencil or ink.”</p> - -<p>“Then I did find a good quilt!” announced Veve triumphantly.</p> - -<p>“You certainly did,” agreed Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>Carefully she folded the coverlet as if it were very precious. “You’ve -found more than a quilt, Veve,” she said. “You’re now the owner of a -possession which takes on historical importance!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="ix" id="ix"></a>CHAPTER 9</small><br /> -Veve’s Autograph Quilt</h2> - - -<p class="noi">TO hear Miss Gordon say that the quilt was historically important made -Veve very proud.</p> - -<p>Instead of having a worthless coverlet, she now was the possessor of -one that was the equal of any of the others obtained for the Brownie -show. Best of all, it was her very own.</p> - -<p>The truck was moving ahead again. Soon it came to the gate of the -canning factory.</p> - -<p>“Hi there, Bill Flint!” the gateman greeted the driver. “I see you have -a full load. All those kids yours?”</p> - -<p>“Wish they were,” laughed Bill.</p> - -<p>The truck kept edging along closer and closer to the cannery.</p> - -<p>At the unloading dock, all the Brownies piled out of the vehicle. An -inspector came over to look at the lugs of cherries.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span></p> - -<p>“These are plenty ripe,” he said. From one box he removed a cherry -which had turned brown and split open.</p> - -<p>“Too much rain,” replied Bill. “And Mr. Hooper can’t get enough -pickers.”</p> - -<p>“Well, tell him we’ll reject the fruit if it comes in too ripe,” the -inspector said. “He’ll be wise to round up pickers and get the job done -fast.”</p> - -<p>“Try and find ’em,” Bill rejoined. “Carl Wingate has tied up the works -by hanging onto his crew too long. The Mexicans were supposed to have -been at Hooper’s place yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“I know,” the inspector agreed. “Too bad. But I have to protect the -cannery.”</p> - -<p>The snatch of overheard conversation troubled the Brownies. They liked -Pa Hooper and did not want him to lose any of his fruit.</p> - -<p>“When we get back to the orchard, we must pick faster,” Connie -whispered to Veve and Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Both girls soberly agreed. However, they knew that the amount of -cherries they could pick would not count up very fast. If Mr. Hooper -were to save his crop, he needed the Mexican pickers.</p> - -<p>“Come along, girls,” said Miss Gordon, guiding them into the cannery.</p> - -<p>The truck would be unloaded quickly. Bill had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> told the Brownie leader -that he would return to the orchard for another load. He expected to -pick up the Brownies on the second trip, which would be in about two -hours.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be able to see the factory and have time to spare,” declared -Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>The Brownies watched workmen unload the cherries and place them on a -conveyor which took them to a large room with mechanical stemmers.</p> - -<p>A single stemming machine had a long cylinder made up of a series of -short rubber rollers.</p> - -<p>As the rollers turned, they caught and pulled away stems and leaves. -The cherries themselves were not crushed or bruised.</p> - -<p>“Say, that’s neat!” approved Eileen.</p> - -<p>In the next canning operation, the fruit was thoroughly washed. Then it -moved on to a grading machine.</p> - -<p>By means of a screen, the cherries were sorted into groups of five -different sizes.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were even more interested in the machine which removed -the pits from all the cherries. They stood for a long while watching -the fruit fall into tiny cups. Once there, the stones were removed by -cross-shaped plungers.</p> - -<p>A man who showed the girls over the plant, told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> them that to keep the -fruit from spoiling it was necessary to sterilize it at 212 degrees for -twelve to twenty-five minutes.</p> - -<p>“Cherries receive a long exhaust too,” he declared. “At least ten -minutes.”</p> - -<p>“What’s an exhaust?” inquired Jane, puzzled.</p> - -<p>The guide explained that it was a process which eliminated air from the -can.</p> - -<p>He showed them next the room where the cans were stacked after -sterilization had been completed. Sprays of water passed over them to -cool the tin.</p> - -<p>“Is that so they’ll be easier to handle?” Connie questioned.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” explained the guide. “If the cans were not cooled quickly, -the contents would continue to cook for several minutes. Then the -cherries would darken.”</p> - -<p>After the cans were sealed, each one was carefully tested.</p> - -<p>“Poorly sealed ones give off bubbles of air,” the guide told the -Brownies. “Those are discarded.”</p> - -<p>Imperfectly sealed cans or “leakers” made a hollow sound when tapped -with a short steel rod, the man further explained. A properly sealed -one gave off a dull, flat sound.</p> - -<p>The Brownies saw how bright colored labels were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> pasted on the cans -which then were ready for packing. That ended the tour.</p> - -<p>“It took us less than an hour,” Miss Gordon declared when the girls -came out into the bright sun again.</p> - -<p>“Then we have another hour to wait for Bill Flint,” said Connie.</p> - -<p>She looked up and down the road. Other trucks were pulling up to the -cannery every few minutes. But Bill’s truck was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>The sun was uncomfortably warm. Miss Gordon suggested that they cross -the roadway and wait under the shade of a large oak.</p> - -<p>Once there, however, Veve had an even better idea. She had noticed that -the river ran close by. A trail led from the road to a sandy beach -where several persons were bathing.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go down to the beach!” she proposed.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon looked again at her watch. “We have time enough, I guess,” -she decided. “Bill isn’t in sight yet and he will have to unload his -truck after he reaches the cannery.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies trooped down to the beach. Several children were there, -wading in the shallow water.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Miss Gordon, may we go in too?” demanded Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span></p> - -<p>The Brownie leader hesitated. Before she could say ‘no’ all the girls -began to tease to go into the water.</p> - -<p>“It’s so hot!” Eileen declared. “I’m simply roasting.”</p> - -<p>“We haven’t long—”</p> - -<p>“It will only take a jiffy,” said Veve, starting to strip off her shoes -and stockings. “Oh, that water will feel good!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon had to give in. All the Brownies except Rosemary decided to -go wading. They rolled up their jeans and splashed into the water.</p> - -<p>The beach was not a very nice one. On the bottom were many sticks and -stones. Veve stepped on a jagged rock and hurt her toe. However, she -only laughed. She knew if she made a fuss, Miss Gordon would make all -the girls come out of the water.</p> - -<p>“Stop splashing!” Connie scolded her friend. “You’re getting my jeans -all wet.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget, we’re supposed to pick cherries when we get back to the -orchard,” added Sunny. “We can’t do it if our clothes are soaked.”</p> - -<p>Veve moved farther away from the Brownies toward the group of strange -children. Among the boys and girls, she saw someone she knew. It was -Juan, the little Mexican boy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span></p> - -<p>“Hello!” she called.</p> - -<p>“Hello, yourself,” he returned the greeting.</p> - -<p>A moment later Juan walked over to the group of Brownies, grinning from -ear to ear.</p> - -<p>“Why aren’t you picking cherries?” Veve asked him.</p> - -<p>The little Mexican boy shot the question right back.</p> - -<p>“Why aren’t <em>you</em>?”</p> - -<p>“The Brownies all came to the factory to see how cherries are canned,” -Veve explained. “We’re waiting now for Bill Flint to return for us.”</p> - -<p>“Did you visit the factory?” Eileen asked the boy politely.</p> - -<p>She could not help thinking that he was dressed oddly, even to go -wading in the river. The boy wore a straw hat. His shirt was torn and -two buttons were off. A patch had pulled loose from his trousers, -showing an area of bare leg.</p> - -<p>“I have never been inside the cannery,” Juan replied. “I did not pick -cherries today because I did not feel like it.”</p> - -<p>“You played hookey, didn’t you?” Jane caught him up. “Shame! When -cherry pickers are so badly needed too.”</p> - -<p>“If the orchard owners want pickers they should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> pay us more,” said -Juan with a shrug. “And they should treat us better.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies could think of no answer to that remark. They knew, of -course, that Carl Wingate had struck the Mexican boy with a stick. -Whether or not Juan had first caused the orchard owner trouble, they -had never learned.</p> - -<p>Just then a man came down the trail toward the beach.</p> - -<p>At first, he merely stood and watched the children as they waded in the -shallow water. But after awhile he noticed Juan.</p> - -<p>“Hey, you!” he called to the little Mexican boy.</p> - -<p>Juan acted as if he had not heard.</p> - -<p>The man came quickly to the water’s edge. He was scowling and appeared -very displeased.</p> - -<p>“Come here!” he called again to Juan.</p> - -<p>This time the boy could not pretend that he had not heard. Very slowly -he waded in toward the man.</p> - -<p>“<em>Que, Senor?</em>” he mumbled, acting as if he neither spoke nor -understood English.</p> - -<p>“You heard me!” the man said angrily. “What do you mean by going in -wading at this beach?”</p> - -<p>Juan merely shrugged.</p> - -<p>“You know you have no right here. I won’t have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> Mexicans on my -property! Now go, and don’t let me catch you sneaking back.”</p> - -<p>Juan waded out and picked up his straw sandals.</p> - -<p>“Get a move on!” the man urged.</p> - -<p>Shocked by the man’s angry attack, the Brownies quickly followed the -Mexican boy from the water.</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t mean you girls,” he said in a quieter voice. “You may -stay if you like.”</p> - -<p>“But you just now told Juan to leave—” Veve began in bewilderment.</p> - -<p>“He’s a Mexican.”</p> - -<p>Juan drew himself up proudly. “<em>Si, Senor</em>, I am a Mexican and proud of -it,” he announced. “I have as much right here as anyone else.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll see about that!” said the land owner, starting toward him. -“You’ll leave or I’ll turn you over to the sheriff.”</p> - -<p>Juan grabbed his straw sandals and hobbled off over the sharp pebbles.</p> - -<p>But as he disappeared among the trees, he hurled a threat over his -shoulder.</p> - -<p>“You’ll be sorry,” he warned. “So will all the orchard people! Wait and -see!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="x" id="x"></a>CHAPTER 10</small><br /> -At the Cannery</h2> - - -<p class="noi">AFTER Juan had disappeared among the trees, the land owner turned to -speak to the Brownies. By this time all the girls had waded out of the -water.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t mean you,” he said. “You may stay here as long as you wish.”</p> - -<p>“But why did you send Juan away?” asked Veve. She did not like the way -he had treated her little friend.</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s a Mexican. The pickers have a camp not far from here.”</p> - -<p>“But Juan is nice.”</p> - -<p>“He’s a Mexican, and they aren’t allowed to use the beaches -hereabouts,” the man repeated. “Juan, as you call him, may be all -right, but if I let him swim here, all the camp would show up. The -pickers are a shiftless lot.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span></p> - -<p>The Brownies without saying any more began to put on their shoes and -stockings.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t mean to frighten you girls away,” the land owner tried to -reassure them. “Wade here whenever you like.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t want to stay if Juan can’t,” Veve said.</p> - -<p>Until now, Miss Gordon had taken no part in the conversation.</p> - -<p>“I really think it is time that we leave,” she said. “Bill Flint soon -will be returning in the truck.”</p> - -<p>The girls quickly put on their shoes and stockings and started up the -trail to the road. Once beyond hearing of the beach owner they were -very outspoken.</p> - -<p>“It was mean of him to send Juan away,” Veve declared. “Why, he wasn’t -making any trouble or doing anything he shouldn’t.”</p> - -<p>“The man just doesn’t like Mexican pickers!” added Connie. “I wonder -why?”</p> - -<p>“I wonder myself,” said Miss Gordon. “So many persons seem to have that -attitude. As far as I’ve observed, the pickers appear to be a group of -quiet, well-behaved people.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies had reached the roadway. Bill Flint was not yet in sight -with the truck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span></p> - -<p>“Did you hear that threat Juan made as he ran off?” Connie recalled. -“Do you suppose he meant it?”</p> - -<p>“He was annoyed because the land owner had ordered him off the -property,” Miss Gordon said. “I’m sure Juan didn’t mean his threat -seriously.”</p> - -<p>As the Brownie leader spoke, the girls were startled to hear a yell of -dismay. The cry had come from Eileen, who had walked a short distance -ahead of the others down the road.</p> - -<p>In attempting to leap a tiny ditch from the roadside to the pavement, -she had slipped and fallen. Now as she slowly picked herself up, her -shirt and jeans were plastered with mud. So were her hands and face.</p> - -<p>“Just look at me,” Eileen wailed. She began to cry.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon tried to comfort her. “We’ll go to a filling station rest -room and clean you up,” she said brightly. “Don’t cry, Eileen.”</p> - -<p>“But the truck is coming!” exclaimed Sunny, who had spied it far down -the road. “There won’t be time.”</p> - -<p>“It will take Bill Flint a little while to unload the cherries,” Miss -Gordon said. “I’ll take Eileen to the filling station. The others go on -to the factory loading dock and meet Bill.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span></p> - -<p>The Brownies followed their leader’s instructions. This time, however, -Bill had driven to the factory without a full load.</p> - -<p>In a short while all the lugs had been removed from the truck, and he -was ready to start back to the orchard.</p> - -<p>Veve ran to the filling station to tell Miss Gordon and Eileen that the -driver was waiting.</p> - -<p>In the wash room, Eileen had removed her jeans so that the Brownie -leader could scrape off some of the mud.</p> - -<p>“Dear me, I didn’t expect him to be ready so soon,” Miss Gordon said. -“I’m afraid Eileen and I will have to catch him on his next trip.”</p> - -<p>Veve took the word back to Bill Flint. “I could wait a few minutes,” he -said, looking at his watch. “But it won’t be necessary. Joe Evans hauls -for the Wingate Orchard. His truck is coming in now.”</p> - -<p>“Then he should be ready to leave in about twenty minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Right-o. Miss Gordon could ride back with him.”</p> - -<p>The arrangement suited everyone except Eileen. She had wanted to ride -back with the other girls. Of course, she realized it would be better -to wait until the worst of the mud had been cleaned from her clothes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span></p> - -<p>Leaving Miss Gordon and Eileen behind, the other Brownies rode back to -the Hooper orchard.</p> - -<p>“We will have to pick fast now,” Connie urged her companions. “We’ve -lost so much time.”</p> - -<p>“But our mothers have been working while we were away,” declared Sunny -cheerfully. “That will help.”</p> - -<p>Veve picked a full bucket of cherries and took it to the shed for -weighing. While she was there Connie came in with her brimming pail.</p> - -<p>“Oh, there’s that old trunk!” Veve exclaimed as her gaze fell upon it. -“I was going to look through it and forgot!”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t we do it now?” proposed Connie. “That is, if Mr. Hooper -doesn’t mind.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t,” the orchard owner replied. “Not if you don’t take too long -at the job. I want to get those cherries picked.”</p> - -<p>“It won’t take us hardly a jiffy,” Veve declared. “Not with two of us -to work.”</p> - -<p>The trunk was an old-fashioned affair with a rounding top. An old rug -had been thrown over the cover to protect it from dust.</p> - -<p>Veve pulled off the covering and unfastened the rusty clasps which held -down the lid. Cap, deeply interested, trotted over to watch.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span></p> - -<p>“You won’t find much,” said Mr. Hooper. “I wish—”</p> - -<p>“You wish what, Mr. Hooper?” Connie inquired curiously.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I was only thinking I wish you’d stumble onto some of my sister’s -handwriting.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we will.”</p> - -<p>“Not in that trunk, I’m afraid.”</p> - -<p>“We may find a letter tucked away somewhere,” Connie insisted -hopefully. “Would it mean a lot to you to have one?”</p> - -<p>“I’d give a hundred dollars for a sample of my sister’s handwriting,” -Mr. Hooper said. More talkative than usual, he went on: “You see, Ella -made a will leaving this orchard to me. It was a typed document drawn -by a lawyer.</p> - -<p>“Ella signed it, of course, in the presence of witnesses. All well and -good. I thought she had left me her entire property, including this -orchard. But a short while ago, a cousin, Carl Wingate, appears with -another will.”</p> - -<p>“Had your sister made two of them?” Connie asked in surprise.</p> - -<p>“That’s what Carl claims. The will he produced is only three lines -long, and the signature doesn’t look exactly like Ella’s. But the will -is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> of later date than the one which left the orchard to me.”</p> - -<p>“The second will gives this land to Carl Wingate?” questioned Connie, -reaching down to pat Cap.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and cuts me off with only her personal possessions.” Mr. Hooper -laughed without mirth. “Her personal possessions! All that is left, is -in that trunk and the bureau which was saved from the fire.”</p> - -<p>“Why would it help to have a letter from your sister?” inquired Veve.</p> - -<p>“Because it would give us other writing of hers and another signature -to compare with Carl Wingate’s will.”</p> - -<p>“You said the writing on the second will doesn’t look the same as on -the first one?” Connie pursued the subject.</p> - -<p>“No, it looks like a copy to me. I’ve been thinking of taking the -matter to court, but so far I’ve no evidence.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we can find some evidence,” Veve declared confidently.</p> - -<p>She began to burrow in the top layer of the trunk. As she lifted out -an old brown wool skirt, three moth balls rolled onto the floor. Cap, -thinking they were meant for play, began to chase them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p> - -<p>Besides the skirt, other clothing had been neatly folded away. Connie -and Veve found a black silk dress, two pairs of shoes, and a silly -looking hat with a blue feather.</p> - -<p>The girls wanted to try it on, but did not take the time. Instead, they -carefully examined each garment for pockets. In one, Veve came upon a -piece of paper.</p> - -<p>For a moment, she thought she had made an important discovery. However, -the paper proved to be only a recipe for gingerbread, torn from a -newspaper.</p> - -<p>Finding nothing in the top shelf of the trunk, the girls removed the -tray.</p> - -<p>The lower section proved even more disappointing. It was only half -filled with old books, yellowed linen and a box of woolen underwear.</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie examined the pages of the books, hoping that -something had been written in them. But nothing had been. It was most -discouraging.</p> - -<p>“You see,” remarked Mr. Hooper. “Nothing of value.”</p> - -<p>“We might try the bureau,” suggested Veve half-heartedly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span></p> - -<p>“You’ll find it practically empty,” the orchard man told her. “But go -ahead.”</p> - -<p>The girls opened the drawers of the battered oak dresser. The top -one was entirely empty. In the second they came upon a stack of old -newspapers and magazines.</p> - -<p>More old clothing had been folded into the lower drawer.</p> - -<p>“It’s quite useless,” Mr. Hooper told the girls. “Ella had beautiful -things, but they were all destroyed in the fire.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose we may as well get back to our picking,” Connie said, -closing the bureau drawers.</p> - -<p>She picked up her pail, intending to leave the shed.</p> - -<p>Before either she or Veve could do so, Eileen came rushing up. Only a -moment before the little girl had arrived on a Wingate truck with Miss -Gordon.</p> - -<p>“Well, I see you’re back!” laughed Connie before Eileen could speak. -“Your jeans don’t look so very bad now that they’re dry.”</p> - -<p>Eileen was too excited to hear the remark.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” she exclaimed. “I’ve got important news! What do you think I -saw on the ride back from the canning factory?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span></p> - -<p>Neither Veve nor Connie could guess, but they were very much interested.</p> - -<p>“What did you see?” Connie demanded.</p> - -<p>“Our quilt!”</p> - -<p>“Not the Brownie crazy quilt?” Connie asked, scarcely believing the -astonishing news.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure it was! Miss Gordon saw it too, but she wouldn’t say for -certain that it was our missing quilt. She thought there might be a -mistake. But I’m sure it was the same one!”</p> - -<p>The news had caused both Veve and Connie to become rather excited. -Since the disappearance of the crazy quilt they had asked many persons -if they ever had seen the coverlet. No one had noticed it. So the -Brownies were convinced that they never would find the quilt again.</p> - -<p>“You found our quilt!” Veve said, clutching Eileen’s arm. “Where?”</p> - -<p>“This will really slay you,” Eileen declared. “Of all places—”</p> - -<p>“Well, tell us!” Veve broke in impatiently.</p> - -<p>“I’m trying to if you’ll give me time.” Eileen paused for dramatic -effect, and then said impressively: “It was at the Mexican camp. Veve, -I guess your little friend, Juan, isn’t so honest after all!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="xi" id="xi"></a>CHAPTER 11</small><br /> -The Mexican Camp</h2> - - -<p class="noi">QUESTIONED by Veve and Connie, Eileen related what had occurred on the -return trip from the canning factory.</p> - -<p>After Miss Gordon had cleaned the mud from the little girl’s clothing, -she and the Brownie leader had waited quite a while for the Wingate -truck.</p> - -<p>The trucker had been very willing to give them a lift back to the -Hooper farm. However, on the way to the orchard, he had chosen a -shorter side road instead of taking the main highway.</p> - -<p>Not far from the canning factory, the truck had passed a camp where the -Mexican cherry pickers lived.</p> - -<p>“Several Mexican blankets hung on a clothes line strung up between two -trees,” Eileen revealed. “And guess what I saw on another?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span></p> - -<p>“What?” demanded Veve.</p> - -<p>“I saw the missing quilt! Our crazy quilt!”</p> - -<p>“Did you stop to look at it?” Connie asked, deeply troubled.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no! The truck driver was in a hurry. We didn’t dare ask him to -stop.”</p> - -<p>“How close were you to the Mexican camp?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, fairly close,” Eileen said vaguely. She never could estimate -distances.</p> - -<p>“Close enough to really see that it was our crazy quilt?”</p> - -<p>“Well, it looked like it to me. The quilt was made up of a lot of -colors and pieced blocks of all sizes.”</p> - -<p>“But all crazy quilts are like that,” argued Veve. She did not want to -think that any of the Mexicans had taken the coverlet.</p> - -<p>“That’s what Miss Gordon said,” Eileen admitted. “All the same, the -quilt looked like ours. Another thing, Mexicans don’t usually have -quilts. Every other coverlet on the line was a woven blanket.”</p> - -<p>“There’s one way we could tell for certain if the quilt is ours,” said -Connie thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“How?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you remember? Miss Gordon stitched in the Brownie troop name in -one corner.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span></p> - -<p>“That’s right!” Eileen agreed. “Let’s get the girls together now, and -hike over to the camp. We’ll find out if that quilt is ours. If it is, -we’ll have all the Mexicans arrested.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper had been listening to the conversation of the three girls.</p> - -<p>“I hope you don’t have all the Mexicans arrested,” he said, speaking -for the first time. “If you do, we’ll never get our fruit picked.”</p> - -<p>“At least we’ll have the one who stole the quilt put in jail,” Ellen -insisted. “I’ll bet it was Juan. I’ve seen him around here more than -the others.”</p> - -<p>Veve went quickly to the defense of her little friend.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure it couldn’t have been Juan,” she declared. “He seemed very -honest to me.”</p> - -<p>“As long as I had Mexican pickers on my place, I never had anything -taken,” Pa Hooper added. “This year, though, they seem more restless -and dissatisfied. Can’t figure it out.”</p> - -<p>While Eileen, Connie and Veve talked, Jane and Rosemary came into the -shed with filled pails. They too heard about the quilt, and were all -for taking action at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span></p> - -<p>“Let’s go to the Mexican camp this minute!” Jane urged.</p> - -<p>“Hold on,” interposed Pa Hooper. “Who’s staying here to pick cherries? -This afternoon I’m not getting ’em stripped fast enough to keep the -truckers busy.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon arrived just then and she too was in favor of the girls -continuing with their picking.</p> - -<p>“If the quilt really is ours, it will be at the camp later on,” she -advised. “We can finish our picking, and stop there on our way home.”</p> - -<p>“Will we have the Mexicans arrested?” Eileen demanded.</p> - -<p>“That remains to be seen,” Miss Gordon answered. “The important thing -is to be certain that the quilt is ours before we say any more about -the matter. It would be dreadful to accuse someone and then learn that -we had been mistaken.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were willing to be guided by the teacher’s suggestion. All -returned to the orchard where they picked steadily for the next two -hours.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon, however, they could talk of little except the -missing quilt.</p> - -<p>“If we get it back, we’ll have a truly grand quilt show!” Sunny -Davidson declared gaily. “Has it been decided for sure when we’re to -have the display?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span></p> - -<p>From the next tree, Miss Gordon herself answered the question.</p> - -<p>“How about this Saturday night at the church? I’ve already arranged to -have the parlor for the affair if we want it.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, fine!” approved Rosemary. “Let’s make it Saturday night for sure.”</p> - -<p>“Can everyone have her quilt on hand by that time?”</p> - -<p>“I can,” laughed Veve. “My autograph one is right here now. It needs -washing though, but that won’t take long.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies were fairly certain they could obtain the promised -coverlets in time.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon urged them to busy themselves that very night on the -telephone, letting all their friends know about the coming affair. -She said she would make additional posters to put in store windows, -advertising the quilt show.</p> - -<p>“How much admission will we charge?” Connie asked. She wanted to make a -great deal of money for the Brownie organization.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think we should charge anything,” Miss Gordon decided. -“However, we certainly will auction off the crazy quilt—if we’re lucky -enough to get it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span></p> - -<p>“Anyway, we don’t need money as badly now as we did,” Veve said. She -reached on tiptoe to strip an especially heavily laden branch. “After -we finish here at the orchard, the Brownies will be rich!”</p> - -<p>Excitedly, the girls chattered about what they would do with so much -money.</p> - -<p>“We ought to make a thousand dollars at least!” Veve declared grandly.</p> - -<p>Her remark made the other Brownies laugh, for they knew that even if -they picked night and day, they could not earn that much.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be lucky if we make a hundred dollars,” Connie said. “The -cherries won’t last much longer.”</p> - -<p>As the girls talked, she noticed that Miss Gordon had very little to -say. The teacher was picking fruit rather slowly now.</p> - -<p>Quite frequently she would raise a hand and press it to her forehead.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you feel well?” Connie asked her after awhile.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon admitted that she had a slight headache.</p> - -<p>“I forgot to wear dark glasses today,” she confessed. “The bright sun -must have strained my eyes.”</p> - -<p>As the afternoon wore on, Miss Gordon felt increasingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> miserable. -Mrs. Williams, who was helping the Brownies pick, noticed the strained -expression on the teacher’s face.</p> - -<p>“You really shouldn’t be here,” she declared. “Let me drive you home.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t like to be a quitter—”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense,” said Connie’s mother firmly. “You should be in bed. I’ll -drive you home now, and return for the Brownies.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon allowed herself to be persuaded. “Now don’t worry about me, -girls,” she said, noticing the troubled faces of the Brownies. “It’s -only a headache. I’ll be on hand again early tomorrow morning.”</p> - -<p>After Mrs. Williams and Miss Gordon had gone, the Brownies picked -steadily for a long while. They kept watching the road, thinking that -Connie’s mother soon would return.</p> - -<p>The trip seemed to take a very long while. Eileen began to worry lest -something had happened to the car.</p> - -<p>“What if we shouldn’t get to the Mexican camp before dark?” she -fretted. “Then we might not find our crazy quilt.”</p> - -<p>“Shouldn’t we go there right away?” Veve proposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> impatiently. “Miss -Gordon didn’t say anything about it when she left.”</p> - -<p>“She was feeling too ill,” Connie said. “But I’m sure she expected us -to go on to the Mexican camp the way we planned.”</p> - -<p>“Is it too far to walk?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p>Eileen was certain that the camp was not more than a mile away.</p> - -<p>“Let’s ask my mother to take us there now,” she urged, climbing down -from her low step ladder. “It’s late and we can’t pick many more -cherries anyway.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies were tired from their work and so favored the -proposal.</p> - -<p>Seeking Eileen’s mother, who also had driven a car to the orchard, they -asked her if she would take them to the Mexican camp.</p> - -<p>“Without Miss Gordon?” she asked reluctantly. “I hardly think—”</p> - -<p>“We don’t dare wait until tomorrow!” Eileen cut in. “The quilt may be -gone if we do.”</p> - -<p>“But dear, you might have been mistaken. If the quilt shouldn’t belong -to the Brownies, I would feel so embarrassed.”</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon said she wouldn’t want us to accuse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> anyone wrongfully,” -Connie recalled. “We could be real careful though! Couldn’t we sneak up -on the camp and look around without letting the pickers know what we -were doing?”</p> - -<p>“Well—”</p> - -<p>“Oh, please!” coaxed several of the Brownies. And Sunny added: “After -all our work on the quilt we just have to get it back.”</p> - -<p>In the end, Mrs. Webber agreed to drive the girls to the Mexican camp. -She disliked to take the responsibility, however, in Miss Gordon’s -absence.</p> - -<p>Eileen sat with her mother in the front seat, pointing out the side -road which the Wingate driver had taken a few hours before.</p> - -<p>Soon the car came to a grove of trees. From the roadside the girls -could see the tents of the Mexican cherry pickers.</p> - -<p>“Stop here, Mother!” Eileen directed.</p> - -<p>As the car halted just off the road, Connie heard an interesting sound.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” she commanded.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Webber switched off the car engine and everyone listened.</p> - -<p>From amid the trees came the strumming sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> of a guitar. The girls -also could hear someone singing in Spanish.</p> - -<p>“Where’s our quilt?” Veve demanded, jumping out of the car. “I don’t -see it anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“It was hanging between the trees only a few hours ago,” Eileen -insisted. “Some of the Mexicans must have taken it down.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Webber advised the girls not to approach the camp too boldly. She -did not know how they might be received by the Mexican pickers.</p> - -<p>“Why can’t Eileen and Connie and I go on ahead and see if we can find -the quilt,” Veve proposed. “If it’s there, we’ll signal for the rest of -you to come on.”</p> - -<p>“I want to go too,” announced Jane. She was afraid she might be cut out -of some of the excitement.</p> - -<p>“Four would be too many,” Veve insisted. “We’d be certain to attract -attention.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Webber said she could see no point in all of the Brownies -descending upon the camp. The girls were so excited, she feared they -might make remarks which would offend the Mexicans.</p> - -<p>Favoring Veve’s proposal, she gave the three girls permission to go on -ahead.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now remember, it hasn’t been proven that the quilt belongs to the -Brownies. Or that it actually was stolen,” she cautioned the trio. -“Don’t make any trouble. Just notice if the quilt is anywhere in camp. -And if it is, signal.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll hoot like an owl,” Veve promised.</p> - -<p>“I think a simple wave of the hand would be better,” Mrs. Webber said, -smiling. “But don’t signal unless you are certain the quilt is there, -and that it belongs to the Brownies.”</p> - -<p>Veve, Connie and Eileen were very pleased with the arrangement. The -other Brownies, who must wait at the car, were less happy. They did not -want to miss anything.</p> - -<p>The three girls set off through the woods. A narrow trail wound in -among the trees and led directly to the camp.</p> - -<p>Drawing fairly close, Veve, Connie and Eileen paused to see what was -ahead.</p> - -<p>In the camp, Mexican children were romping over the grass, having a -happy time. Near one of the tents, a Mexican woman with a bright orange -apron was cooking supper. She seemed to be making cakes from ground -corn and meat.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that smells good,” declared Eileen, sniffing the air.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span></p> - -<p>Nearby, another woman sat at a loom, weaving a black and white woolen -blanket. The pattern was very beautiful.</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t that one look lovely in our quilt show,” Veve whispered.</p> - -<p>“We’re not having any Mexican blankets!” Eileen replied firmly. “I -should say not! The pickers took our quilt!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see it anywhere,” Veve said, her gaze sweeping the camp. -“Maybe you were wrong about it.”</p> - -<p>Eileen shook her head. “Miss Gordon saw it too,” she insisted. “It must -be somewhere in the camp.”</p> - -<p>The three girls walked on a few steps. Coming to a clump of bushes, -they halted there.</p> - -<p>Without being seen they could view everything that went on in the camp.</p> - -<p>Everyone seemed to be very happy. Several of the little boys and girls -were playing with a shaggy dog. Veve saw Juan sitting with his back to -an oak tree. The little boy was carving a figure from a block of wood.</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe the crazy quilt is here,” Veve announced.</p> - -<p>She was ready to turn around and return to the parked automobile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span></p> - -<p>Eileen, however, insisted that she had seen the quilt.</p> - -<p>“It’s probably been taken inside one of those tents,” she declared. -“Let’s walk into camp and look.”</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon warned us not to make any trouble,” Connie reminded her -friend. “And so did your mother.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t have to make any trouble or accuse anyone. Can’t we just -wander in and peep around?”</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie were not too pleased over the proposal. Nevertheless, -they followed their friend as she walked on.</p> - -<p>As the three girls stepped out from amid the trees, several of the -Mexican children saw them. Juan put aside his whittling knife and -sprang to his feet.</p> - -<p>“Chiquita! Carmen! Raul!” he called. “We have visitors.”</p> - -<p>Two little Mexican girls and a small boy who looked like Juan, came -running.</p> - -<p>“My brothers and sisters,” Juan introduced them to the Brownies. “They -are very pleased to meet you.”</p> - -<p>The three children bowed politely and smiled.</p> - -<p>Veve, Eileen and Connie scarcely could think of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> anything to say in -return. The children were so friendly they knew it would be awkward to -say anything about the quilt.</p> - -<p>Connie noticed that the boys and girls were rather thin as if they did -not have enough to eat. Some of them were barefoot, while others wore -<em>huaraches</em> or straw sandals.</p> - -<p>Nearly all of the men in the camp had <em>sarapes</em> thrown across their -shoulders. The <em>sarapes</em> really were colorful blankets with a slit in -the middle.</p> - -<p>Excited to have visitors, Juan escorted them about the camp, showing -them everything. He introduced the girls to his mother, to his father -and to his aging grandmother.</p> - -<p>Everyone was so friendly that the Brownies began to think they had made -a serious mistake ever to believe they would find their missing quilt -in the camp.</p> - -<p>“Veve was right,” Connie whispered to Eileen. “Juan and the Mexicans -are nice—just like other people. You must have been mixed up.”</p> - -<p>“Well—maybe,” Eileen admitted unwillingly. “But I didn’t think so at -the time. I was sure I saw the quilt or something that looked exactly -like it.”</p> - -<p>Juan next took the girls to see his goat, Peter, who was staked down -near one of the tents. The animal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> had nibbled away so much grass that -the ground was bare all around him.</p> - -<p>“Did you make much money today picking cherries?” Veve asked her little -friend.</p> - -<p>He shrugged his shoulders, replying briefly: “Enough.”</p> - -<p>A moment later, he added: “What do I need of money? The sun is <i>la capa -do los pobres</i>.”</p> - -<p>“The sun is what?” Veve demanded, for she knew Juan had spoken in his -own language.</p> - -<p>“‘The sun is the poor man’s coat,’” the little boy translated.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were somewhat puzzled and did not understand Juan’s -meaning. Seeing their expressions, he went on:</p> - -<p>“If a Mexican has a sun to warm his back, he does not need fine -clothing to be happy.”</p> - -<p>Juan said no more just then. However, later, as he was showing the -girls the figure he had carved, he remarked that he might not see them -again.</p> - -<p>“Why, aren’t you staying with the other pickers until the crop is -harvested?” Connie asked quickly.</p> - -<p>Again Juan shrugged. “Who knows?” he questioned. “All of the pickers -may leave.”</p> - -<p>“Is it because you don’t like to work for Carl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> Wingate?” Veve asked. -She recalled how the boy had been hit with a stick.</p> - -<p>“He has been very ugly,” Juan replied. “He cheats on weight and does -not pay us all he owes.”</p> - -<p>“But the other orchard owners aren’t like that,” Eileen insisted.</p> - -<p>“The picking here is nearly finished. My people are tired of the place. -So we may move farther north.”</p> - -<p>“Surely you wouldn’t leave until Mr. Hooper’s cherries are picked!” -Veve said in dismay.</p> - -<p>“Who knows?”</p> - -<p>“But that wouldn’t be fair,” Connie interposed. “Mr. Hooper would lose -at least half of his fruit harvest if the pickers left without coming -to his place.”</p> - -<p>“He has been expecting the crew for several days,” added Eileen. “The -fruit is too ripe now. We heard the canning factory man say it would -have to be picked fast, or it will be rejected.”</p> - -<p>“Then the orchard people should treat us better. If we move on, it is -only themselves they have to blame.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hooper wouldn’t mistreat anyone,” Veve insisted. “He isn’t a bit -like his cousin, Carl Wingate.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span></p> - -<p>“You tell your people that,” Connie urged. “It just wouldn’t be fair to -Mr. Hooper not to pick his cherries.”</p> - -<p>“I will tell them,” Juan promised soberly. “We do not have anything -against Mr. Hooper. But the townspeople have no liking for us. At the -stores they charge us more for food. We cannot use the beaches or have -any pleasures.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies knew that the boy’s complaint was a just one. That very -day, he had been driven away from the same beach where they had been -permitted to wade. They hardly knew what to say.</p> - -<p>“But you are my friends,” Juan finished warmly. “Come, I will show you -some of the beautiful lacework my mother brought from Mexico.”</p> - -<p>He led the three girls to a nearby tent. Veve was the first to peer -inside as he pulled back the flap.</p> - -<p>The little girl drew in her breath sharply. A brown Mexican baby was -playing on the floor of the tent. The infant lay upon a quilt of many -colors—unmistakably, the lost Brownie coverlet!</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="xii" id="xii"></a>CHAPTER 12</small><br /> -A Quilt Show</h2> - - -<p class="noi">FOR a long moment, no one said a word. Veve, Connie and Eileen merely -stared at the Mexican baby and their crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>Then Eileen reached down and turned back one corner of the coverlet.</p> - -<p>Just as she had feared, the Brownie troop name was stitched in the -corner.</p> - -<p>“This is our quilt,” she said, looking hard at Juan. “It is the one we -lost.”</p> - -<p>Eileen was certain that the Mexicans had stolen the coverlet, but she -was careful not to make a direct accusation.</p> - -<p>“Your quilt?” Juan repeated. He seemed very much surprised.</p> - -<p>“Juan, how did it get here?” Veve asked. She hoped that somehow he -would be able to explain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p> - -<p>“Why, I found the quilt,” he answered without hesitation.</p> - -<p>“You <em>found</em> it?” Eileen demanded. “Where?”</p> - -<p>“Blown against the fence at the edge of Mr. Hooper’s orchard.”</p> - -<p>“Blown against the fence!” Eileen could not understand.</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon left the quilt folded up under a tree,” Connie declared. -“There was a fence not far away—”</p> - -<p>“This quilt is yours?” Juan asked politely.</p> - -<p>“Of course it is,” Eileen told him, pointing to the Brownie name. -“That’s the name of our organization.”</p> - -<p>“Brownies?” Juan appeared to consider the name an odd one.</p> - -<p>“It’s a national organization,” Connie said proudly. “When we’re too -old to be Brownies we’ll ‘fly up’ and be Girl Scouts.”</p> - -<p>“We try to help others,” Veve explained. “That’s why we started picking -cherries at Mr. Hooper’s orchard.”</p> - -<p>“And the quilt?” Juan asked.</p> - -<p>“We pieced it, expecting to sell it at a quilt show,” Eileen answered. -“Instead, we—we lost it. Miss Gordon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> left it under an oak tree on Mr. -Hooper’s place, and the next thing we knew, it was gone.”</p> - -<p>“Now we find it here!” Connie said severely. “Juan, did you really find -our quilt blown against the fence?”</p> - -<p>“<em>Si, Senorita</em>, I truly did,” Juan replied, becoming a bit excited. “I -would not steal. Do you not believe me?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” said Veve instantly. “Now that I think back, a strong gust of -wind did come up that day. It could have blown the coverlet against the -wire fence.”</p> - -<p>Juan picked up his baby sister and moved her off the quilt.</p> - -<p>Carefully, he folded the coverlet and handed it to Veve.</p> - -<p>“It is not much hurt,” he said. “I am very sorry.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that’s all right,” Veve reassured him. “We’re just glad to get the -quilt back. And to know that it wasn’t stolen.”</p> - -<p>“I would not steal,” Juan said proudly. “Especially from my friends.”</p> - -<p>Now that the girls had their crazy quilt, they started to leave the -camp. But Juan would not let them go. He wished to make amends for the -quilt.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span></p> - -<p>“Wait!” he commanded.</p> - -<p>The little boy ran off. Three minutes later he was back again, bearing -an armload of beautiful gifts.</p> - -<p>He handed Eileen a blue apron with fancy drawn-work. For Connie he had -a bowl painted with red and green and black colors. The design was very -unusual.</p> - -<p>Upon Veve, Juan bestowed the nicest gift of all. He gave her a handsome -red and white hand-woven blanket which was far more expensive than the -quilt.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we can’t take all these things!” Connie protested. “All we want is -our own quilt back again.”</p> - -<p>“You are my friends,” Juan said, flashing his warm smile. “Keep the -presents. They are mere trifles.”</p> - -<p>He told the girls again that he was sorry he had taken the quilt by -mistake.</p> - -<p>“There’s an old saying that it’s an ill wind that blows no one good,” -Connie laughed. “That old wind that carried our quilt off, certainly -brought us luck.”</p> - -<p>The girls knew that Mrs. Webber and the Brownies were waiting at the -roadside. So reluctantly they bade Juan good-bye. They were sorry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> they -did not have longer to stay at the Mexican camp, for everyone seemed -very friendly.</p> - -<p>“You must come again soon,” Juan invited cordially.</p> - -<p>The three girls promised that they would return. They really meant it -too, for the camp was a most interesting place.</p> - -<p>“We are having a quilt show and a cherry festival Friday night on the -church grounds,” Veve informed the little Mexican boy. “Our crazy quilt -will be sold to the highest bidder.”</p> - -<p>“A cherry festival,” Juan said, his eyes dancing. “Will there be music?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t know about that,” Veve admitted. “We will have lots of -fun though and make money.” Impulsively, she added: “You must be sure -to come, Juan. And bring all your friends.”</p> - -<p>Juan seemed a trifle surprised, but very pleased to receive the -invitation.</p> - -<p>“You want us?” he asked, almost in disbelief.</p> - -<p>“Of course!” Veve did not notice that Connie and Eileen were sending -warning signals in her direction.</p> - -<p>“Thank you, Senorita,” Juan said, bowing and smiling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p> - -<p>He walked with the girls to the edge of the camp. From there they went -on alone, bearing their gifts and the crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>Once beyond hearing of the Mexican boy, Connie and Eileen took Veve to -task.</p> - -<p>“What possessed you?” Eileen demanded. “Why did you invite Juan and his -friends to our festival?”</p> - -<p>“Because I like him.”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” admitted Eileen. “All the same, I don’t think you should -have invited him. Do you, Connie?”</p> - -<p>“Well—I’m afraid the townsfolk may not like it. They never invite the -Mexicans anywhere.”</p> - -<p>Veve tossed her head. “That’s all the more reason for asking Juan. I -don’t think it’s fair to make the Mexicans stay here in their camp all -the time, just because they’re pickers.”</p> - -<p>“Well, maybe they won’t come anyhow,” Connie said. “After all, you -didn’t tell Juan what time the festival starts.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” Veve agreed, somewhat in relief.</p> - -<p>At the car once more, the girls showed Mrs. Webber and the other -Brownies the fine gifts they had received.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m so glad you have the quilt back again,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> Eileen’s mother -declared. “How pleased I am that no one actually stole it.”</p> - -<p>Rosemary, Sunny and Jane also were delighted to have regained the -precious quilt.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, they felt annoyed because the other three girls had not -motioned for them to come to the camp.</p> - -<p>“You could have waved your hand the way you promised you would!” Jane -said with a toss of her head. “I guess you wanted to have all the fun -yourselves!”</p> - -<p>“And get a lot of presents,” added Sunny.</p> - -<p>“We didn’t have time to signal,” Veve insisted. “Honest!”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” added Connie earnestly. “Until the last minute, we didn’t -think the crazy quilt was in the camp. Then we finally saw it inside a -tent.”</p> - -<p>“Juan was standing right beside us,” Eileen explained. “If we had -signaled, he would have thought it strange.”</p> - -<p>“I think the girls did very well,” Mrs. Webber ended the discussion. -“Matters have been handled perfectly—much better perhaps than if we -all had gone to the camp.”</p> - -<p>Taking the quilt and the gifts with them, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> Brownies returned to the -orchard. By this time it was too late to do any more picking.</p> - -<p>In fact, as they gathered up their belongings to leave, Mr. Hooper told -them that they would not need to come the following day, which was -Saturday.</p> - -<p>“I expect the Mexican crew to move in here early tomorrow,” he -explained. “They should finish up at Wingate’s place long before lunch -and then pick my orchard. Otherwise, I never could save my fruit. It -has been ripening so fast that the cannery soon will start rejecting.”</p> - -<p>“Will you lose any of the fruit?” Veve asked the orchard owner.</p> - -<p>“Not if the Mexicans move in here on schedule tomorrow,” Mr. Hooper -replied. He glanced thoughtfully at the sky. “The only thing that -worries me is the weather. If it should rain—”</p> - -<p>“Why, the sun is shining,” Eileen observed. “It doesn’t look a bit like -rain.”</p> - -<p>“Not now it doesn’t. But one never can tell at this season of year. -However, I’m not borrowing trouble.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were rather sorry that for them the cherry picking had -ended. Although the work had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span> been hard, they had enjoyed it. Likewise, -they had earned considerable money. They wondered if Mr. Hooper would -speak of that.</p> - -<p>Already the orchard owner was consulting the cards in his filing -cabinet.</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to wait while I figure out how much I owe you girls,” he -said. “Shall I make out the sum in one check or several?”</p> - -<p>“To the organization,” Connie told him. “How much have we earned?”</p> - -<p>“That’s hard to say off-hand. Counting the work your mothers did, it -will come to more than fifty dollars. Maybe sixty.”</p> - -<p>“Sixty dollars!” gasped Eileen. “Why, the Brownies are rich!”</p> - -<p>“That’s the most money our organization ever made,” Connie added -proudly. “And we still have our quilt to sell.”</p> - -<p>She told Mr. Hooper about the festival which the Brownies planned to -have the next day.</p> - -<p>“If you aren’t too busy here at the orchard, we would like you to -attend,” she invited him.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper thanked Connie and said he certainly would come if he could.</p> - -<p>“It will take me a long while to figure out what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> I owe you girls,” he -said, after consulting the time cards again. “Tell you what! Why don’t -I mail the check to your leader, Miss Gordon? Or even better, bring it -to your festival?”</p> - -<p>The Brownies and their mothers agreed that this would be an excellent -plan. Already it was growing late and they were tired from such a long -day.</p> - -<p>“We will see you at the festival!” Connie declared as the girls left -the orchard. “Don’t forget, Mr. Hooper!”</p> - -<p>Veve, Connie and Eileen rode home in Mrs. Webber’s car. As they were -driving into the outskirts of the city, Veve suddenly noticed the sky.</p> - -<p>“Oh, see!” she exclaimed, pointing. “The sun is drawing water up into -the clouds! That means it will rain tomorrow!”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Webber slowed the car and took a quick glance at the sky. The -clouds had separated so that the sun shone through. The rays did appear -to be drawing water from the land.</p> - -<p>“The sun doesn’t actually pull water up into the sky,” she told the -girls.</p> - -<p>“Why, you can see it plain as anything!” Veve insisted.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Webber smiled and shook her head.</p> - -<p>“It only appears that way, Veve. Instead, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> sun shines upon dust -and millions of water droplets already in the air. They reflect the -sunshine and the rays show plainly against the cloudy sky.”</p> - -<p>“But how did the water get into the air?” Veve asked.</p> - -<p>“I’ll try to make it clear by a simple illustration. Did you ever leave -a shallow pan filled with water out in the yard?”</p> - -<p>“I guess so,” Veve admitted.</p> - -<p>“And later the water nearly all disappeared?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Danny, the dog that lives next door to us, drank it up!”</p> - -<p>“Well, if Danny hadn’t come along, the water would have evaporated.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ve seen that happen,” Connie declared. “Once at our house a -plant dish filled with water during a rain. A few days later every drop -was gone.”</p> - -<p>“But how does the water ’vaporate?” Veve demanded. “I never saw it -happen.”</p> - -<p>“The water separates into particles which are called molecules,” -Eileen’s mother explained. “Molecules are too small to be seen. -However, they turn into water vapor which is light enough to be carried -away.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span></p> - -<p>Eileen remarked that she <a name="would" id="would"></a><ins title="Original has yould">would</ins> think the air would be damp -from the vapor.</p> - -<p>“Sometimes it does seem so if the vapor is heavy,” her mother replied. -“Water vapor is everywhere. At times a great deal is in the air, and at -other times only a small amount.”</p> - -<p>Rather anxiously, Veve studied the cloudy sky.</p> - -<p>“I just hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” she said. “If anything should -prevent the Mexican pickers from coming to Pa Hooper’s orchard, he -would be almost certain to lose the rest of his fruit.”</p> - -<p>“A rain would ruin our festival too,” added Connie, stretching her -tired feet. “I wonder how Miss Gordon is feeling? If she should be ill, -we would have to postpone the quilt show.”</p> - -<p>The next day the Brownies were very relieved to learn that their leader -felt as well as usual. She assured the girls that the festival would be -held exactly as planned.</p> - -<p>Now, all the mothers had worked very hard to make the affair a success. -They had made fancy paper lanterns decorated with cherries, to string -in the church lawn.</p> - -<p>The table where cherry pie was to be served had been decorated with -garlands of paper cherry blossoms.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span></p> - -<p>Several booths had been set up for the display of quilts.</p> - -<p>However, the Brownies thought the most interesting feature was the -queen’s throne. A swing had been used. The ropes which hung from a -large maple tree, had been entwined with artificial cherry blossoms.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Davidson had fashioned the paper crown to be bestowed upon the -girl who was chosen queen. The material was elegant, consisting of gold -mat stock shaped to fit a small head. Colored cellophane had been used -to fashion jewels.</p> - -<p>The queen was to be chosen by vote. Only members of the Brownie -organization were privileged to ballot.</p> - -<p>“I hope I’m elected queen,” Veve said, trying the crown on her head. -“See, it fits perfectly!”</p> - -<p>“It fits any of the Brownies,” Jane Tuttle replied. “We’re supposed to -vote for the girl who has been the most helpful to the organization. -The one considered the most resourceful and kind.”</p> - -<p>“I was the one who thought of picking cherries,” Veve pointed out.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Miss Gordon doesn’t mean things like that,” Jane retorted. “She -wants us to select for our queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> the Brownie who has been the most -courteous, helpful and fair.”</p> - -<p>“That would be Connie,” Veve said honestly. “She always is polite -to everyone. And I’ve heard Miss Gordon say that she has very good -judgment. I’ll vote for Connie.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I will too,” Jane returned. “I haven’t decided yet.”</p> - -<p>Throughout the morning and early afternoon the Brownies were kept very -busy. Although their mothers took care of the hardest work, there were -many errands to run.</p> - -<p>By four o’clock, however, everything was in readiness for the festival.</p> - -<p>All of the quilts were arranged for the display. On the long table -stood a long row of freshly baked cherry pies.</p> - -<p>“My, how good they look!” Veve exclaimed. “Only I wish they were -chocolate or lemon or apple. After picking so many cherries, I’m a -little tired of them.”</p> - -<p>At five o’clock the Brownies went home to dress for the festival and to -have an early supper. The affair was supposed to start at six-thirty.</p> - -<p>“Be sure to wear your Brownie uniforms and to be here on time,” Miss -Gordon warned the girls.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span></p> - -<p>Connie and Veve both were back at the church by six-fifteen. Miss -Gordon told them their assignment was to greet the visitors. After -nearly everyone had arrived they were to take charge of one of the -booths where quilts were displayed.</p> - -<p>“When will we auction off our crazy quilt?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon said the coverlet would not be sold until nearly everyone -had arrived. The queen, however, was to be chosen fairly early in the -evening.</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie enjoyed greeting the guests. Very soon, people began to -arrive.</p> - -<p>At first only the parents came, but presently others began to straggle -in. The table where cherry pie was served became very popular.</p> - -<p>“Dear me, I never dreamed so many persons would attend our festival on -such short notice,” Miss Gordon whispered to Connie’s mother. “Do you -suppose we will have enough cherry pies to serve everyone?”</p> - -<p>After that, the mothers cut the pies into smaller pieces. The Brownies -did not take any and neither did Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“Oh, see who’s coming!” Veve said suddenly, nudging Connie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p> - -<p>A tall woman in a stiff sailor hat was walking briskly down the street.</p> - -<p>Under her arm was a large bundle.</p> - -<p>“Who is she?” Connie whispered, for she did not recognize the woman.</p> - -<p>“It’s Miss Adelia Brimborough,” Veve said in an undertone. “She -wouldn’t lend me her quilt for the show. I think she has nerve to come -here now.”</p> - -<p>Seeing the two girls, Miss Brimborough moved directly toward them.</p> - -<p>“Good evening,” she said, addressing Veve. “Here is something for you.”</p> - -<p>She handed over the awkward-shaped bundle.</p> - -<p>“It is my dogwood blossom quilt,” she explained to the startled Veve. -“After you left that day, I thought how selfish it was of me to -refuse to let you have the quilt. The Brownies, I am told, are highly -responsible. So here it is, my dear.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, thank you!” Veve gasped.</p> - -<p>She and Connie took the quilt to add to the display. They spread it out -very carefully, for they knew that Miss Brimborough would hate to have -it soiled.</p> - -<p>“I have three entries now!” Veve laughed. “The autograph quilt, the -Mexican blanket, and now this one!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span></p> - -<p>A car had driven up to the curb. Connie saw the driver alight, and -scarcely could believe her eyes.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s Harold McLean, president of the Rosedale Chamber of -Commerce!” she whispered in awe. “He’s terribly <em>important</em>.”</p> - -<p>“Did you invite him, Connie?”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t. Maybe he saw one of the posters. You greet him.”</p> - -<p>“No, you,” Veve insisted, hanging back. “I don’t know what to say.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon herself came forward to welcome the Chamber of Commerce -president. She was as surprised as the Brownies to see him there.</p> - -<p>“Well, well, WELL,” said Mr. McLean in a hearty voice. “A cherry -festival in full swing, eh? I saw your lighted lanterns and couldn’t -resist stopping. I always was a push-over for cherry pie.”</p> - -<p>“Then do have a large piece,” invited Miss Gordon. She escorted him to -the nearby table.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean ate one piece of pie and then asked for another.</p> - -<p>“We’re certain to run out if this keeps on,” Connie whispered -anxiously. “And see! Someone else is coming.”</p> - -<p>Another automobile, one which the girls were certain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> they had seen -before, had driven up to the churchyard.</p> - -<p>The driver stepped out and looked around. As the light shone on his -face, both Veve and Connie recognized him.</p> - -<p>“It’s Carl Wingate!” Veve muttered in an undertone. “Now who invited -him?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure I didn’t.”</p> - -<p>“Nor I.”</p> - -<p>“Eileen must have done it that day she rode back on the Wingate truck -from the canning factory. Oh, dear, and we’re running out of pie too. I -don’t feel like being nice to him.”</p> - -<p>“We must though, Veve. We’re the official greeters.”</p> - -<p>The two Brownies went forward to speak to the orchard owner. He did not -seem to remember them or to recall that he had refused to give them a -job.</p> - -<p>After that several women came who had donated quilts for the show. -Everyone admired the fine coverlets on display. The Brownies were kept -busy explaining about the different patterns, and showing their own -crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>“I wish Pa Hooper would come and bring our check,” Connie remarked as -the evening wore on. “But I guess he isn’t coming.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span></p> - -<p>“Maybe it’s just as well,” Veve hinted. “With Mr. Wingate here, they -might not get along together. I don’t see why <em>he</em> had to come.”</p> - -<p>Presently, Miss Gordon announced that it was time for the Brownies to -choose their queen. Slips of paper were passed out to the six girls.</p> - -<p>Veve was writing Connie’s name on her sheet when she heard laughter -from far down the street.</p> - -<p>An old battered car chugged up to the churchyard. A Mexican man was -driving it. In the automobile were at least a dozen children, dressed -in their brightest.</p> - -<p>“The cherry pickers!” exclaimed Veve. “They did decide to come.”</p> - -<p>“And there is Juan with his brothers and sisters,” added Connie.</p> - -<p>The Mexican children piled out of the car, shouting with laughter.</p> - -<p>However, as they started across the churchyard, Carl Wingate moved -forward to meet them.</p> - -<p>Before either Veve or Connie could greet the newcomers, he walked -directly to them.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean coming here?” he demanded. “You know you’re not -wanted.”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a>CHAPTER 13</small><br /> -Trouble Afoot</h2> - - -<p class="noi">AS Carl Wingate berated the Mexicans for coming to the cherry festival, -Juan drew himself up proudly.</p> - -<p>“We were invited, Senor.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” said Veve. “I asked them myself.”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner did not hear the little girl speak.</p> - -<p>“Get moving!” he ordered the Mexican children again.</p> - -<p>Juan’s face puckered up. For a minute he looked as if he might cry. -Then he became very angry.</p> - -<p>“You will be sorry, Senor,” he muttered. “Very sorry—and soon.”</p> - -<p>The other Mexican children looked unhappy. Without saying a word, they -climbed back into the battered old car.</p> - -<p>“Wait!” called Veve.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon, who had been discussing one of the quilts with a visitor, -now hastened forward.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span></p> - -<p>She was too late, though, to speak to the Mexicans. The car had pulled -away.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Miss Gordon murmured. “Not for anything in the -world would I have hurt their feelings.”</p> - -<p>“They had no business being here,” Mr. Wingate said. “They knew it too.”</p> - -<p>“But I invited them,” Veve told him. “Juan is my friend.”</p> - -<p>“The Mexicans can’t be allowed to attend social affairs. They’re making -enough trouble as it is.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon disagreed with the orchard owner. However, it was too late -to recall the Mexican children. So she decided to say no more about the -matter just then.</p> - -<p>The festival continued. Everyone had a good time, but the Brownies -could not forget how Juan and his friends had been sent away. The -thought of it made them feel rather unhappy.</p> - -<p>Everyone brightened though when Miss Gordon announced that the festival -queen had been elected.</p> - -<p>She clapped her hands for attention.</p> - -<p>“The votes have been counted,” she said. “I take great pleasure in -announcing that the queen of our festival is—”</p> - -<p>The Brownie leader paused and her gaze wandered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> from one eager face to -another. All of the girls were hoping that they were the one elected.</p> - -<p>“Our festival queen is Connie Williams!” she completed. “She received -five out of a possible six votes!”</p> - -<p>“Hurrah for Connie!” shouted Veve, and the other Brownies took up the -cry.</p> - -<p>Connie was embarrassed. She had not expected to be chosen. In fact, she -had voted for Veve. All the other girls had written her name on their -slips.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon placed the golden crown on Connie’s head. The Brownies then -escorted her to her throne where she was to remain until the end of the -festival.</p> - -<p>Next on the program came the auctioning of the crazy quilt.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were eager to make more money for the organization. -Nevertheless, they had worked long hours at their sewing. To see the -quilt put up for sale gave them a queer feeling.</p> - -<p>Connie’s father acted as auctioneer.</p> - -<p>“What am I bid for this fine Brownie quilt?” he asked the crowd. “Who -will start it? Five dollars? Five dollars? Who will bid five dollars?”</p> - -<p>A woman who lived on Rosemary’s street, raised her hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span></p> - -<p>“Five dollars! Who will make it ten?” shouted Connie’s father.</p> - -<p>At once Mr. Davidson nodded his head. Then the first lady bid fifteen -dollars.</p> - -<p>Mr. Davidson dropped out of the bidding, but Mr. McLean said he would -pay twenty dollars for the quilt.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were very proud. Twenty dollars for a quilt! Their quilt!</p> - -<p>“Twenty dollars!” Mr. Williams shouted, trying to get the bid even -higher. “Do I hear twenty-five?”</p> - -<p>He looked directly at the woman who had offered fifteen. But she seemed -to have lost interest.</p> - -<p>Everyone else had stopped bidding except Mr. McLean.</p> - -<p>“Going—going for twenty dollars,” began Connie’s father.</p> - -<p>At that point, Mr. McLean spoke up.</p> - -<p>“I’ll make it twenty-five,” he offered.</p> - -<p>The crowd gasped. Mr. McLean already had bid twenty and his was the -last bid.</p> - -<p>“It’s a fine quilt,” Mr. McLean laughed. “Why, where else could I get -one made by a troop of Brownies? My bid of twenty-five dollars stands.”</p> - -<p>“Sold to Mr. McLean!” shouted Connie’s father.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span></p> - -<p>He handed the quilt to the Chamber of Commerce man.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean gave Miss Gordon twenty-five dollars in crisp new bills. -Then he did a most surprising thing.</p> - -<p>He also handed her the Brownie quilt.</p> - -<p>“I really have no use for this, although it is a handsome quilt,” he -said. “The twenty-five dollars is my contribution to the organization. -Keep the quilt, or if you like, put it up and auction it off again.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies all gathered around Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“Keep the quilt!” they urged. “Keep it!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s just what we will do,” Miss Gordon nodded. “Our -organization will treasure it always. However, it hardly seems right to -accept twenty-five dollars without giving something in return.”</p> - -<p>“But you have given me something. Two excellent pieces of cherry pie.” -Mr. McLean became serious. “And you’ve also planted an idea in my mind. -A very valuable idea.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon did not understand.</p> - -<p>“What sort of idea, Mr. McLean?”</p> - -<p>“Your cherry festival made me think that it might be worth while to -have a large-scale affair—one in which the entire city takes part.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, that would be splendid!” Miss Gordon exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“I feel sure the orchard owners would cooperate,” the Chamber of -Commerce president went on. “We could have several bands and elect the -queen.”</p> - -<p>“Connie?” interposed Veve. She had heard the conversation.</p> - -<p>“For a city-wide festival it might be better to select an older girl,” -Mr. McLean replied. “Not that a Brownie queen wouldn’t be fine.”</p> - -<p>“Being queen of one festival is enough,” laughed Connie from her throne -in the decorated swing.</p> - -<p>“As a climax to the festival we might have a giant cherry pie,” Mr. -McLean resumed. “One that would be as large as a small room and serve -everyone! The pie would contain pounds and pounds of cherries.”</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t venture to bake such a pie,” laughed Miss Gordon. She was -rather excited by the plan.</p> - -<p>“Oh, a commercial bakery would take over. The pie would not be -difficult. Why, our festival might gain national attention. After all, -Rosedale is in the heart of the cherry country.”</p> - -<p>“It would be worthwhile to advertise the community to the nation,” Miss -Gordon agreed. “However,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> the festival would have to be held very soon -for the cherry season is nearly over.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we would need to work fast,” Mr. McLean nodded. “Fortunately, -I have a large organization of trained staff members. Now as to the -cherry pie—I have another idea!”</p> - -<p>By this time all of the Brownies had gathered near to hear what Mr. -McLean proposed.</p> - -<p>“We’ll bake a cherry pie to take to the President!” he announced.</p> - -<p>“To the President of the United States?” Connie asked in awe.</p> - -<p>“What better way of bringing to attention the fact that Rosedale has -the best cherries in the nation?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s a wonderful idea!” Miss Gordon approved. “Quite breath -taking! Do you think the festival could be carried through?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure of it. We’ll get every organization in Rosedale to help. May -I depend upon your Brownie troop?”</p> - -<p>“How about it, girls?” Miss Gordon asked. Of course, she already knew -what they would say.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes!” cried the Brownies.</p> - -<p>And Veve, quite carried away with the thought of another festival, -tossed her Brownie cap into the air and shouted:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span></p> - -<p>“Hurrah, for the cherry festival!”</p> - -<p>Other persons at the churchyard affair thought that Veve was acting -strangely. In a few minutes, however, word went around of Mr. McLean’s -plan. Everyone became very enthusiastic and promised to help.</p> - -<p>“We’ll need exhibits,” Mr. McLean went on outlining his plans. “This -quilt show, I notice, has attracted the interest of women. We’ll want -to repeat the display.”</p> - -<p>“Most of the quilts were borrowed,” Miss Gordon explained. “I think, -though, that we can arrange to have them again.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll loan my autograph quilt,” offered Veve quickly.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean said that because the cherries were ripening so fast, it -would be necessary to have the festival early in the coming week.</p> - -<p>“My organization will look after everything,” he promised Miss Gordon. -“If the Brownies take responsibility for the quilt show, that’s all -they’ll be called upon to do.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon assured the Chamber of Commerce president that the girls -would have a much better quilt display for the next festival. Now that -the organization was through picking at Pa Hooper’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> orchard, the girls -would have ample time to search for other coverlets.</p> - -<p>After Mr. McLean had moved on, the Brownies excitedly discussed their -plans. They hoped to obtain at least twenty quilts for their show.</p> - -<p>“I wish Connie or one of the Brownies could be queen at the next -festival as well as this one,” Veve remarked.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon did not share her view. She felt that Brownies should -remain in the background at any public gathering.</p> - -<p>“But just think of taking a cherry pie to the President of the United -States,” Veve sighed enviously.</p> - -<p>Even though the hour was early, a few persons began to leave the -churchyard. Soon the Brownie festival would be over.</p> - -<p>“It’s been a wonderful success,” Rosemary said happily. “And just -think! We made twenty-five dollars for our crazy quilt.”</p> - -<p>“What’s more, we still have the quilt,” chuckled Jane. “That’s what I -call good business.”</p> - -<p>Connie had been gazing over the thinning crowd.</p> - -<p>“It’s odd Pa Hooper didn’t come,” she remarked. “He said he might bring -our check for the cherry picking.”</p> - -<p>“Probably he was detained at the orchard,” Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> Gordon replied. “Don’t -worry about the check. It may come by mail tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies began to gather up paper plates and to pick up napkins -that had blown from the serving table.</p> - -<p>Since the start of the festival, the wind steadily had freshened. Dark -clouds scudded across the sky.</p> - -<p>“It looks a little like rain,” Miss Gordon observed rather anxiously. -“I hope not. A storm tonight might seriously damage Mr. Hooper’s cherry -harvest.”</p> - -<p>“Several other orchards remain to be picked too,” Mr. McLean said to -the Brownie leader. “On the whole, though, the fruit is at the cannery.”</p> - -<p>Connie started to fold up some of the quilts. She wanted to put them -away so that if rain began to fall, they would not be damaged.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think any more people are coming anyhow,” she remarked.</p> - -<p>Just as she spoke, an automobile turned down the street. As the -Brownies watched, it pulled up at the churchyard.</p> - -<p>To the surprise and delight of the girls, Pa Hooper leaped out of the -car.</p> - -<p>“Oh, he did come after all!” Connie exclaimed, starting toward him.</p> - -<p>“And every piece of cherry pie, is gone,” Veve said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> in dismay. “We -haven’t anything now to serve him.”</p> - -<p>Pa Hooper, however, was not interested in cherry pie.</p> - -<p>He was concerned with far more important and serious matters.</p> - -<p>As the orchard owner strode across the festival grounds, the girls saw -that he was deeply troubled about something.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Mr. Hooper!” Connie greeted him. “We’re glad you were able to -come after all.”</p> - -<p>“Hi, there,” the orchard owner said, but he scarcely noticed the little -girl. “Is Carl Wingate here?”</p> - -<p>The question took Connie by surprise. She could not guess why Mr. -Hooper would ask about his cousin.</p> - -<p>“At his place, they told me he had come here,” Mr. Hooper explained, -his gaze sweeping the group of people on the lawn.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wingate was here a few minutes ago,” Connie said. “Yes, there he -is now. Over by the table, talking to Mr. McLean!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper walked directly to the two men.</p> - -<p>“Carl, there’s trouble afoot now!” he said, addressing his cousin.</p> - -<p>The owner of the Wingate orchard turned to face Mr. Hooper.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span></p> - -<p>“Trouble?” he repeated. “What d’you mean?”</p> - -<p>“It’s the Mexican pickers. They’re leaving!”</p> - -<p>“Leaving?” Mr. Wingate demanded. “Nonsense! A bunch of ’em were here -not three quarters of an hour ago.”</p> - -<p>“And that’s what caused the trouble. You ordered them away.”</p> - -<p>“So what? The Mexicans know they’re not allowed to run riot in town. -They’re supposed to stay in their own camp.”</p> - -<p>“That’s why they’re dissatisfied,” Mr. Hooper insisted. “They feel -they have no social rights. For a long time they’ve been dissatisfied. -Sending them away from the festival tonight was the straw that broke -the camel’s back.”</p> - -<p>“The pickers can’t leave,” Mr. Wingate muttered. “There’s a good two -hours work at my place yet. And your orchard!”</p> - -<p>“They’re breaking camp now. A bad storm is rolling up too! Unless we -can stop the pickers and get them to pick tonight, I’ll lose most of my -cherries.”</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean seized Carl Wingate’s arm. “Come on!” he urged. “We can’t -let those pickers leave. We’ve got to get out there right away and stop -them!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="xiv" id="xiv"></a>CHAPTER 14</small><br /> -Racing the Storm</h2> - - -<p class="noi">MR. Hooper’s startling news brought the festival to an end.</p> - -<p>Several orchard owners besides Carl Wingate were at the affair. They, -too, were alarmed lest the Mexican pickers leave Rosedale and fail to -return another season.</p> - -<p>Not only Mr. McLean, Carl Wingate and Pa Hooper, but several other men -said they would drive at once to the Mexican camp.</p> - -<p>“Can’t we go too?” Veve coaxed Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>The Brownie leader hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Maybe we could help,” Veve argued. “After all, the Mexicans are -leaving because they weren’t allowed at the festival. And I invited -them.”</p> - -<p>“We might be able to clear up the misunderstanding.” The Brownie leader -spoke thoughtfully. “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> certainly don’t want the Mexicans to leave the -community. Nor for that matter to feel that we turned them away from -our social gathering.”</p> - -<p>The mothers and fathers of the Brownies all were interested in seeing -that the cherry pickers did not leave Rosedale.</p> - -<p>Mr. Davidson, Connie’s father, and Mr. Webber offered to drive their -cars to the Mexican camp. Everyone piled into the three automobiles.</p> - -<p>“Drive fast,” Connie urged her father. “If we don’t hurry, we will get -there too late.”</p> - -<p>In a short while, the cars reached the site of the Mexican camp.</p> - -<p>The tents had been taken down and the animals and furniture loaded into -several trucks.</p> - -<p>As the Brownies followed their parents and Miss Gordon along the dark -trail leading from the road, they could hear the sound of men’s voices.</p> - -<p>Carl Wingate was arguing with several of the Mexicans.</p> - -<p>“See here!” he said angrily. “You can’t pull out and leave us in the -lurch. You signed a contract to pick cherries for the season.”</p> - -<p>“Senor, you mistreated us,” one of the Mexicans replied. “You beat my -son, Juan, with a stick. Tonight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> you drove the children away from the -festival after they had been invited there. We Mexicans are a proud -race.”</p> - -<p>“You’re insolent and lazy!” Wingate retorted. “You’re not breaking -camp because you’ve been mistreated. Oh, no! You’ve learned that -they’re paying a half cent more for pickers up north. That’s why you’re -leaving.”</p> - -<p>“It is not true, Senor.”</p> - -<p>“Unload those trucks!” Wingate ordered.</p> - -<p>“No, Senor.”</p> - -<p>The elderly Mexican eyed the orchard owner for a moment. Then, wrapping -his serape tightly about him, he started to climb into the cab of the -truck.</p> - -<p>Carl Wingate seized him by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Listen, you!” he said furiously. “A storm is coming up. If we’re -to save the unpicked fruit, it must be harvested tonight. We need -pickers—now!”</p> - -<p>The Mexican leader remained unmoved. “Senor should have thought of that -before,” he shrugged. “It is too late now.”</p> - -<p>He gave the signal for the trucks to move out of the camp.</p> - -<p>“Wait!” requested Pa Hooper. “I’m sure the orchard owners want to be -fair. If you will pick my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> trees tonight before the storm breaks, I -will pay a half cent more. I can’t afford it, but I will do it rather -than lose my fruit.”</p> - -<p>“We do not ask more money, Senor. Only better treatment.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get it at my orchard,” Pa Hooper assured the Mexican leader.</p> - -<p>Juan’s father hesitated, and it seemed for a moment that he might -change his mind. Then he shook his head.</p> - -<p>“It is no use, Senor,” he said. “We have made up our minds. We leave -now.”</p> - -<p>“Well, this writes finish to my plans for the cherry festival,” Mr. -McLean said unhappily. “Too bad!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper also moved back from the truck. He was very discouraged. -Although it was not his fault that the pickers were leaving, he would -lose more than any of the other orchard owners.</p> - -<p>At the far end of the line of trucks, Veve spied Juan sitting on a pile -of canvas with some other children. She hurried over to speak to him.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Juan!” she said. “It isn’t fair for the pickers to leave when Mr. -Hooper needs them so badly.”</p> - -<p>“My father has decided,” answered Juan. “We are unwanted here.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, that isn’t so, Juan. It was all a mistake that you were ordered -away from the festival tonight.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true,” added Connie. She had followed Veve to the truck. “Mr. -Wingate had no right to order you away. After all, it wasn’t his -festival.”</p> - -<p>“The Brownies all wanted you to be there,” Veve said, noticing that -Juan was listening hard to Connie’s arguments.</p> - -<p>“And so did Miss Gordon, our leader,” Connie went on. “She said it -would be a shame if the pickers left the community.”</p> - -<p>“In a way, I will be sorry to go,” Juan admitted.</p> - -<p>“Then why not stay?” Veve urged.</p> - -<p>“It is no fun being kept always near camp. The shop people do not want -us in their stores. We cannot use the beaches.”</p> - -<p>Connie and Veve could not blame the Mexicans for feeling as they did.</p> - -<p>“If it could be fixed up so that the Mexicans could go places and have -fun, then would you stay?” Veve asked. She spoke hurriedly for she saw -that the trucks were starting to pull away.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we would stay,” Juan agreed. “That would be for my father to -decide.”</p> - -<p>“Then tell him to stop the trucks!” Veve said excitedly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> “I will talk -to Mr. McLean and Mr. Hooper.”</p> - -<p>Still Juan hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Oh, please do it,” Veve pleaded. “It isn’t fair for Mr. Hooper to lose -his cherries.”</p> - -<p>Juan suddenly made up his mind to do as the little girl requested.</p> - -<p>Leaping off the back of the truck, he called to his father who was -driving one of the heavily laden vehicles ahead.</p> - -<p>Juan spoke rapidly in Spanish. The girls could not understand what he -said.</p> - -<p>However, Juan’s father not only stopped his truck, but ordered the -others to wait in line.</p> - -<p>Elated, Veve and Connie ran back to Mr. Hooper and Mr. McLean.</p> - -<p>“If you want the Mexicans to stay, tell them that they are invited to -the cherry festival!” she cried.</p> - -<p>“And that they may use the beach near the cannery!” added Connie.</p> - -<p>“Why, of course we’ll be glad to have the Mexicans attend the -festival,” the Chamber of Commerce president replied instantly. “It is -for everyone. Tell you what! We’ll offer them a regular part in the -show!”</p> - -<p>“That would be splendid!” cried Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span></p> - -<p>“I’m sure they’d like it,” agreed Connie, clapping her hands. “And they -have Mexican wares to display!”</p> - -<p>“A Mexican dancing and singing act would be the ticket,” declared Mr. -McLean. “It would add to the festival too.”</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie ran back to the truck to report to Juan.</p> - -<p>His eyes began to sparkle as the girls told him about Mr. McLean’s -plans for including the Mexicans in the cherry festival.</p> - -<p>“I would like to stay,” he said at once. “Wait! I will ask my father.”</p> - -<p>Juan talked to him for a while. The girls could not understand what was -said, for it was in Spanish.</p> - -<p>But Juan’s father then spoke to other men among the pickers. Finally, -after much arguing and gesturing, the Mexicans approached Mr. Hooper -and Mr. McLean.</p> - -<p>“Is it true, Senor, that my people will be welcome at the cherry -fiesta?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean assured him that it was so. He promised also, that the -Mexicans would receive better treatment from the orchard owners.</p> - -<p>“And does Senor Wingate agree to this?” Juan’s father asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate had no choice but to say that he did.</p> - -<p>Grudgingly, he promised that he never again would strike any of the -pickers, even if they annoyed him. He said, too, that he would allow -them longer lunch hours when they returned to the orchard next season.</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s settled,” Mr. McLean declared in relief. “We’ll get the -fruit in, and hold the festival after all.”</p> - -<p>The night was coming on very dark. Even in the glow of the camp -lanterns, the sky seemed much blacker than usual.</p> - -<p>“That storm is moving this way,” Mr. Wingate said, scanning the -fast-moving clouds. “We must get the cherries into the shed. Drive your -trucks direct to my orchard and let’s get at ’em. There’s no time to -lose.”</p> - -<p>Juan’s father did not like the order.</p> - -<p>“No, Senor,” he said. “First, we will finish the picking in Mr. -Hooper’s orchard.”</p> - -<p>“But you haven’t completed your work for me,” Mr. Wingate said angrily. -“It will only take an hour or so.”</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean broke into the conversation.</p> - -<p>“It’s only fair that Mr. Hooper should have a chance at the pickers,” -he said. “He’s been forced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> wait on you several days. Also, if the -storm breaks, he has more to lose.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate did not like the arrangement. But he could do nothing about -it.</p> - -<p>The Mexicans drove at once to the Hooper orchard. Soon the trees were -dotted with lighted lanterns as the professional strippers went to work -with a will.</p> - -<p>“Will you save your fruit, Mr. Hooper?” Miss Gordon asked the orchard -owner anxiously.</p> - -<p>With the Brownies and their parents, she had stopped at the shed to see -how the work was progressing.</p> - -<p>“I hope so,” Mr. Hooper answered. “But it will be nip and tuck. That -storm is rolling up fast, and it looks like it will be a bad one when -it breaks.”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t we all pick?” Connie proposed.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon had been thinking of the same thing. She had hesitated -to suggest it, however, knowing that it was after eight o’clock. The -Brownies, she knew, should be home in their beds.</p> - -<p>“I could use a dozen more pickers,” Mr. Hooper said before the Brownie -leader could reply. “If I had them, I might beat the storm!”</p> - -<p>“May we pick?” Connie appealed to Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span></p> - -<p>“Please let us!” urged Jane and Veve.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon replied that it was not a matter for her to decide. She -thought the parents of each girl should make the decision.</p> - -<p>“Connie may pick for a while,” her father answered at once. -“Furthermore, I’ll help her!”</p> - -<p>“And I’ll race Eileen to see who can strip the most cherries!” declared -Mr. Webber.</p> - -<p>All of the Brownies were granted permission to pick. Veve had no -father, but her mother was there. Even though Mrs. McGuire had on a -good dress, she wanted to help too.</p> - -<p>“We’re the Brownies,</p> - -<p>Here’s our aim—</p> - -<p>Lend a hand and play the game!” warbled Veve crazily as she carried her -four gallon pail into the orchard.</p> - -<p>The other Brownies took up the song, singing it with a will.</p> - -<p>Soon, in another section of the orchard, the Mexican pickers also began -to sing. Everyone worked feverishly.</p> - -<p>The warm night air had turned slightly colder. Connie, who was picking -as fast as she could, felt a gust of cool wind on her neck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span></p> - -<p>Pulling her sweater closer about her, she glanced up into the sky. The -black clouds were fairly boiling.</p> - -<p>“The storm certainly is coming!” Mr. Williams said. “It’s not far off -either!”</p> - -<p>In the nearby trees, everyone began to strip even faster. No one took -time to go back and forth to the shed.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper himself collected the buckets.</p> - -<p>“Good work!” he praised the Brownies and their fathers. “We may beat -the storm yet, but it will be close.”</p> - -<p>“How are the Mexican pickers doing?” Connie’s father inquired.</p> - -<p>“They’ve gone at it with a will,” the orchard owner reported. “Never -saw ’em strip trees so fast. If this storm just gives us a break, we’ll -make it.”</p> - -<p>The storm, however, drew closer and closer. Suddenly, the clouds -overhead parted as a flash of lightning made the orchard as bright as -day.</p> - -<p>Connie uttered a squeal of terror. She was not really frightened, but -the brilliant light had startled her.</p> - -<p>“Better hike to the shed,” her father warned.</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke, Connie felt the first drop of rain on her hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span></p> - -<p>Other large drops began to splatter through the leaves of the cherry -trees.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper came hurrying from the shed. “This is it,” he said. “All the -Brownies take your buckets to the shed.”</p> - -<p>Connie and the other girls raced for shelter. Their fathers stayed a -few minutes and then they too ran to get in out of the rain.</p> - -<p>The Mexican pickers, however, did not seem to mind. Nearly all of them -stayed in the orchard, picking until their tree was stripped clean.</p> - -<p>Juan was laughing as he tramped into the shed, his clothing soaked. His -feet were muddy too, but his pail was brimming full of cherries.</p> - -<p>“That’s the last of them,” he told Veve. “Mr. Hooper won’t lose thirty -pounds because of the storm. The orchard is nearly bare.”</p> - -<p>The rain now was falling so fast, that the Brownies could not make a -dash for the automobiles. Instead, they waited in the shed.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper was very pleased to have saved his fruit. He thanked -everyone for the help he had received.</p> - -<p>“Here is the money I owe the Brownies and their helpers,” he said, -giving Miss Gordon a check. “It doesn’t half express my appreciation.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span></p> - -<p>The Brownies gathered around their leader to read the amount of the -check.</p> - -<p>“Seventy-two dollars and forty-nine cents!” Sunny Davidson exclaimed. -“Why that’s almost a hundred dollars when you count the money we made -on our crazy quilt!”</p> - -<p>“Did we really pick that many cherries?” Veve asked.</p> - -<p>“You certainly did with the help of your parents,” Mr. Hooper replied. -“Next year you’ll be able to earn more—”</p> - -<p>He checked himself and finished rather lamely: “that is, you will if -you pick for me.”</p> - -<p>“Of course, we’ll work for you!” declared Veve before she stopped to -think. “You wouldn’t catch us stripping for Mr. Wingate.”</p> - -<p>The remark embarrassed the Brownies. Too late, Connie nudged Veve as a -hint to keep silent.</p> - -<p>“I’ll certainly want the Brownies to work for me,” Mr. Hooper said in -a hearty voice. “Couldn’t have a better crew! The trouble is—I won’t -have an orchard.”</p> - -<p>For a moment no one made any reply. The Brownies did not like to think -of Mr. Hooper losing his place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span></p> - -<p>“If I could hold on to the orchard, I’d rebuild the house,” Mr. Hooper -went on. “I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’d like to keep the -place ’til the end of my days. But it can’t be.”</p> - -<p>“Won’t Mr. Wingate consider selling, even if he does take over the -orchard according to the terms of the will?” Miss Gordon inquired.</p> - -<p>“Not a chance,” Mr. Hooper told her. “I talked with him only yesterday. -Carl Wingate doesn’t want money. It’s this orchard he’s after—it’s one -of the best in the valley.”</p> - -<p>The rain had slackened. After peering out the shed windows, the -Brownies decided they could make a dash for the parked cars.</p> - -<p>“I guess we should be going,” said Miss Gordon rather reluctantly. “It -is late for the children.”</p> - -<p>Even then, she did not make a move to leave. Nor did the Brownies.</p> - -<p>In truth, they were sorry to say good-bye to Mr. Hooper. Unless they -made a special trip to the orchard, they might not see him again.</p> - -<p>They were certain it would never be as much fun to pick cherries for -another orchard owner.</p> - -<p>“How long will you be able to keep your place here?” Mrs. Davidson -asked the old man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span></p> - -<p>“That’s hard to tell,” he replied. “As soon as the will is probated, -I’ll probably turn over the orchard.”</p> - -<p>“Is there no possibility that your sister’s will can be set aside?”</p> - -<p>“I was talking to Judge Hutchins about it,” Mr. Hooper said. “I could -fight it out in the courts, but it would make an ugly mess. Besides, -except for Ella’s first will, I can’t produce any of her handwriting.”</p> - -<p>“It seems unfair to lose your beautiful orchard,” Mrs. Davidson -murmured. “I wish we could do something to help.”</p> - -<p>“It’s just one of those things, ma’am.” Mr. Hooper tried to speak -cheerfully. “I’ll find another place. Not in Rosedale though. I intend -to move far away.”</p> - -<p>“At least you’ll have a good profit from your cherries.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’ve done well,” Mr. Hooper agreed. “No complaint on that score. -But if it hadn’t been for the Brownies, I’d have lost all my profit.”</p> - -<p>The orchard owner walked with the girls and their parents to the cars.</p> - -<p>Only a few drops of rain now fell, for the storm had passed over as -quickly as it had come.</p> - -<p>Across the roadway, the wind had severely tossed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> Mr. Wingate’s cherry -trees. Fruit from those which had not been completely stripped lay on -the ground.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry for Carl Wingate,” Mr. Hooper remarked. “He didn’t lose much -of his harvest though. Next year he’ll treat the Mexican pickers more -kindly.”</p> - -<p>Juan and a half dozen other Mexican children ran over to the car to say -good-bye to the Brownies. They had enjoyed picking cherries in the rain.</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget the festival next week,” Veve reminded her little friend.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, Senorita,” Juan returned, flashing his wide smile. “We will -stay in camp here until after the fiesta is over. Then we travel north -to pick more cherries.”</p> - -<p>“And next year you’ll be back again?”</p> - -<p>“<em>Si, Senorita.</em> We will return.”</p> - -<p>Tired and sleepy, Veve snuggled into the comfortable cushions of Mr. -Davidson’s car.</p> - -<p>What an exciting night it had been for the Brownies! Mr. Hooper’s -harvest had been saved and the Mexican pickers coaxed to remain.</p> - -<p>Best of all, the cherry festival was still ahead!</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><small><a name="xv" id="xv"></a>CHAPTER 15</small><br /> -Washington Calling!</h2> - - -<p class="noi">DURING the next few days the Brownies were busier than ever before in -the history of their troop.</p> - -<p>With the aid of their fathers and mothers, they built a booth which was -set up on the public square.</p> - -<p>The girls then decorated it with colored crepe paper, and put up -posters so that everyone would know about the Rosedale Troop quilt -display.</p> - -<p>“Invite all your friends too,” Miss Gordon urged. “We want everyone to -come and learn what Brownies can do when they work together.”</p> - -<p>From neighbors and acquaintances, the girls obtained the promise of -many beautiful quilts for the show.</p> - -<p>Everyone, it seemed, wanted to make Rosedale’s first cherry festival a -great success.</p> - -<p>With Mr. McLean in charge, plans already were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> moving forward very -smoothly. Newspapers carried front page stories about the coming -festival. The Brownies were given full credit for having started the -idea. That, of course, made them feel very important.</p> - -<p>The festival was to be on such a large scale that it fairly took away -the Brownies’ breath.</p> - -<p>Not one high school band, but <em>six</em>, were to furnish music.</p> - -<p>A wooden platform was built in the center of the park. Here, a special -program would be given.</p> - -<p>Each high school was to put on a number, and there were several -professional acts.</p> - -<p>Then, the Mexican pickers had their place on the program. Mr. McLean -told Miss Gordon that he was astonished to find such talent among them. -The Mexicans were providing their own guitar music, while several -talented young men and women would dance in colorful costumes.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s going to be perfectly grand!” Veve told Connie. “I wonder who -will be chosen queen?”</p> - -<p>Now several very pretty young women had given their names to the -committee. They said they would like to have the honor of taking the -cherry pie to Washington.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span></p> - -<p>As yet, no one knew who the lucky person would be. A ballot box had -been set up on the public square. At the proper time, those who wished -to, would be given a chance to vote for their favorite.</p> - -<p>“How wonderful it would be to go to Washington,” sighed Veve enviously. -“Just think of meeting the President of the United States!”</p> - -<p>“And seeing the White House,” added Connie in awe.</p> - -<p>“I would like to go when the Japanese cherry blossoms are in bloom,” -chimed in Sunny. “It must be an even prettier sight than our own -orchards.”</p> - -<p>“I want to see the Washington Monument,” Rosemary declared. “It rises -555 feet straight into the sky.”</p> - -<p>Jane said the point of interest which would draw her would be the -Jefferson Memorial. She also wanted to view the Red and Green rooms of -the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.</p> - -<p>All the Brownies, in fact, had a different reason for desiring to -see the great city. Of course they were only talking, for they never -expected to make such a long trip.</p> - -<p>Now it seemed to the Brownies that the day set for the cherry festival -never would come. Actually,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> it was close at hand. However, every hour -and minute of waiting seemed very long.</p> - -<p>And then at last, the awaited red letter day arrived!</p> - -<p>In their separate homes, the Brownies awoke with a wonderful feeling -that many exciting events lay ahead. This day really was to be their -lucky one, but of course, they could not know that.</p> - -<p>At the McQuire home, Veve opened her eyes in a semi-dark bedroom. She -knew it must be morning because she could hear saucy sparrows chirping -on the window sill. The room, though, was shadowy.</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear!” thought the little girl. “I hope it isn’t going to rain and -ruin the cherry festival.”</p> - -<p>For a moment she lay very still, wishing hard that the day would be a -bright one.</p> - -<p>Then she leaped out of bed and ran to the window. The Venetian blind -had been pulled down and was flapping in the breeze.</p> - -<p>Veve raised it and looked out. The sun was shining brightly!</p> - -<p>“Oh, it will be a fine day!” she told herself in relief.</p> - -<p>Veve was afraid she already had wasted valuable time. Quickly she put -on her pinchecked Brownie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> uniform, a crisp fresh tie, and brushed her -hair until it shone.</p> - -<p>When she skipped down the stairs, her mother had breakfast waiting.</p> - -<p>“How nice you look, Veve,” she said. “Oh, by the way, Miss Gordon -telephoned before you were up.”</p> - -<p>“What did she say, Mother?”</p> - -<p>“The Brownies are to meet in the public square at ten o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“What time is it now?” Veve asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Only a few minutes after eight. You have plenty of time.”</p> - -<p>“I want to be there early, Mother,” Veve said, eating her breakfast of -scrambled eggs and toast as rapidly as she could. “Is my quilt ready?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, dear, and I must say it looks very nice now that I’ve washed it. -I’ve rolled it into a tight bundle. I think you can manage it.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, a quilt is easy to carry,” laughed Veve.</p> - -<p>As soon as she had finished breakfast and attended to several errands, -the little girl was ready to leave.</p> - -<p>As she skipped out of the house with her large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> bundle, she saw Connie -Williams also coming out of her residence with a similar looking -package.</p> - -<p>“Hi!” shouted Connie. “Want to ride down town? My mother will take both -of us in her car.”</p> - -<p>Veve was glad to get a ride. A little farther on, Mrs. Williams picked -up Eileen and Jane also.</p> - -<p>At the public square, the girls found Miss Gordon already there. -Rosemary arrived only a few minutes later.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Sunny?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p>“Oh, she’ll be along,” Miss Gordon said. “It’s still quite early.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies busied themselves arranging their booth.</p> - -<p>Each quilt was spread out attractively and the name of the pattern -pinned to it.</p> - -<p>In addition to the Album quilt donated by Rosemary’s mother, there were -many others—Eileen’s Pine Tree pattern—Jane’s Ship’s Wheel and the -velvet and silk one brought by Sunny.</p> - -<p>Many new patterns were shown too. All were very beautiful.</p> - -<p>One quilt was called The Double Wedding Ring, and another, Morning -Star.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span></p> - -<p>Grandmother’s Flower Garden also attracted much attention with its -array of delicate colors.</p> - -<p>Of course, the Brownies liked best of all their own crazy quilt which -occupied the central position in the fine display.</p> - -<p>Veve’s favorite quilt was her own—the autograph. Now that the coverlet -had been washed, the writing on each block stood out quite plainly.</p> - -<p>The names, however, meant nothing to the little girl. She was certain -the persons to whom they once had belonged, could not have lived in -Rosedale for a long while.</p> - -<p>Toward noon, the crowd began to gather for the festival. Becoming -hungry, the Brownies wandered about to sample food sold at other -booths, and to view the huge cherry pie on display.</p> - -<p>“What a giant pie!” Veve observed, pausing with the other Brownies -before it. “It must contain several hundred pounds of cherries!”</p> - -<p>“And just think!” added Eileen. “Maybe we picked some of them!”</p> - -<p>“I’m hungry now,” Connie declared. “I wish they would cut the pie right -away.”</p> - -<p>The girls obtained hot sandwiches at another booth. After that they -listened to the bands and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> watched several acts of entertainment in the -center of the square.</p> - -<p>When the Mexican pickers came on in their festive costumes to play -music and dance, the Brownies clapped hard. So did nearly everyone in -the audience.</p> - -<p>“The pickers had the very best number,” Veve declared proudly. “I guess -Mr. McLean and the others are glad now that they invited them to be in -the festival.”</p> - -<p>After the number was over, Juan came through the crowd searching for -the Brownies.</p> - -<p>He handed Veve a little package.</p> - -<p>“This is something I made for you, Senorita,” he said.</p> - -<p>Veve opened the package. Inside was the figure the little boy had -carved from wood. Very cleverly, he had fashioned a saint in long robes.</p> - -<p>Veve was pleased with the gift and told Juan so. She was sorry she had -nothing to offer him in return.</p> - -<p>“You have given me much,” he assured her warmly. “After the fiesta, my -people leave for the north.”</p> - -<p>“You’re going with them, Juan?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, Senorita.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span></p> - -<p>Veve told her friend she would be sorry to see him leave Rosedale.</p> - -<p>“I will return next year when the cherries are ripe,” he assured her. -“Until then, <em>adios</em>.” The little boy bowed politely, and the next -moment had melted into the crowd.</p> - -<p>After a while, Veve, Connie and Eileen went back to the quilt booth to -relieve the other Brownies who were working there.</p> - -<p>A steady stream of visitors, largely women, came by to look at the -quilts and examine them.</p> - -<p>Veve was rather disappointed because so many persons appeared more -interested in the bright colored ones than in her autograph quilt.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you mind,” Connie said to cheer her. “It really is a fine quilt. -The very oldest one in our collection.”</p> - -<p>Presently, Mrs. Evans, a lady who lived only six doors from the -Williams’ home, came to the booth.</p> - -<p>She seemed interested in the quilts and spent a long time examining -each one. However, she barely glanced at the autograph patch.</p> - -<p>“Here is a nice one with names on it,” Veve pointed it out.</p> - -<p>“Dear me, it has the appearance of a very old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> quilt,” remarked Mrs. -Evans. “I wonder if the names of any of my friends are embroidered or -written on it? I knew many of Rosedale’s old settlers, you know.”</p> - -<p>The lady picked up a corner of the quilt to read some of the names.</p> - -<p>“‘Flora Winequist,’” she repeated aloud. “Why, I remember her. She died -two years ago, rest her soul.”</p> - -<p>“Here’s another old sounding name!” Connie exclaimed. “‘Hannah -Goodhue.’ Her name is written in ink, but it’s still legible.”</p> - -<p>“‘Prudence Smith,’” Veve read aloud. “‘Georgia Doan. Ella—’”</p> - -<p>“I don’t recall any of those names,” said Mrs. Evans.</p> - -<p>Veve, however, had forgotten the lady’s presence.</p> - -<p>Very much excited, she was staring at the quilt block as if unable to -believe her own eyesight.</p> - -<p>“Why, Veve, what is the matter?” Connie inquired. Her little friend had -such a peculiar expression on her face, she was afraid she might be ill.</p> - -<p>“See this quilt block!”</p> - -<p><a name="image" id="image"></a>“‘Ella Cooper,’” Connie read aloud. She could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> not understand the -reason for Veve’s strange behavior.</p> - -<p>“No! No! It isn’t Ella Cooper,” the other insisted impatiently. “Look -again!”</p> - -<p>This time Connie peered more carefully at the handwriting on the white -block.</p> - -<p>“‘Ella Hooper,’” she corrected. “Hooper—Veve, do you suppose—?”</p> - -<p>“Ella Hooper was Pa Hooper’s sister!”</p> - -<p>The girls were delighted by their discovery. Leaving Miss Gordon and -Sunny Davidson in charge of the booth, they dashed off to see if they -could find Mr. Hooper anywhere in the crowd.</p> - -<p>Finally, they located him at one of the stands, eating a ham sandwich, -and drinking coffee.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mr. Hooper, come with us!” Veve urged the orchard owner.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper put down his cup of coffee. “What’s this?” he asked in -surprise.</p> - -<p>“We want you to see my autograph quilt!” Veve said, tugging at his hand.</p> - -<p>“Now you know I’m no judge of quilts,” Mr. Hooper protested, holding -back.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we don’t want you to judge one,” Connie interposed. “We want you -just to see a name on it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span></p> - -<p>“A name?” The orchard owner was deeply puzzled. “Let me finish this cup -of coffee first and then I’ll come.”</p> - -<p>“The name on the quilt block is Ella Hooper,” supplied Veve.</p> - -<p>“And it’s in her own handwriting,” finished Connie.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper completely forgot his coffee then. He gave the two girls his -undivided attention.</p> - -<p>“Let’s get this straight,” he said. “You have a quilt with my sister’s -signature on it?”</p> - -<p>“We aren’t sure,” Connie admitted. “But the name is the same as -hers—Ella Hooper.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll look at that quilt right now,” Mr. Hooper declared. “It’s barely -possible the name may be Ella’s, because she liked to make coverlets -and fancy work.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies escorted the orchard owner back to the booth.</p> - -<p>During their absence, Miss Gordon and the other girls had been -examining the autograph quilt carefully. The date upon which the -coverlet had been completed was stitched in the lower right-hand corner.</p> - -<p>“My sister was alive at that time,” Mr. Hooper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> said, noticing the -date. “And it seems to me she was working on an autograph quilt to give -to a friend.”</p> - -<p>“Here is the signature,” Miss Gordon said, spreading the quilt over the -counter.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper glanced at it and said without an instant’s hesitation:</p> - -<p>“There’s no question about it! This is my sister’s handwriting!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon asked if it appeared to be the same as her signature upon -the will.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s a dead-ringer for the way she signed her name on the -document that left me the orchard,” Mr. Hooper replied. “But it doesn’t -much resemble the handwriting on that later will which Carl Wingate -claims is genuine.”</p> - -<p>“Then doesn’t this prove the second one was false?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper smiled and kept staring at the quilt block. He was thinking -very hard.</p> - -<p>“I’ve always been certain Carl Wingate’s will was a forgery,” he said. -“As far as I’m concerned, this provides positive proof. But the courts -might decide differently.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well, I’m uncertain a quilt would be admitted as evidence.”</p> - -<p>“Then finding your sister’s name on the block won’t be any help in -saving your orchard?” Connie asked. She was deeply disappointed.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” Mr. Hooper admitted. “It might be—it all depends on -how hard a fight Wingate is inclined to put up.”</p> - -<p>At that moment, Veve saw the other orchard owner wandering through the -crowd.</p> - -<p>“There he is now,” she pointed him out.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate was walking away from the Brownie quilt booth. However, he -turned around when Pa Hooper called his name.</p> - -<p>“Come over here a minute, Carl,” his cousin requested.</p> - -<p>Rather reluctantly, Carl Wingate walked over to the booth. He could not -understand why his cousin had called him.</p> - -<p>“You wanted me?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, we want you to see a quilt in this display,” said Mr. Hooper. -“An autograph quilt. You will note that the blocks bear the names and -signatures of their makers.”</p> - -<p>Carl Wingate gazed at the faded coverlet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> without understanding what -the older man meant.</p> - -<p>“I never was much interested in quilts,” he began. “Now if my wife were -here—”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper pointed to the block which bore his sister’s name.</p> - -<p>“Look at this one,” he suggested. “I think you’ll find it interesting.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate stared at the block a moment. Then he became somewhat -flustered. But he would not admit that he was worried.</p> - -<p>“Well, what about it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“You’ll observe that this is a sample of my sister’s writing,” Pa -Hooper told him. “Also, that it does not look much like the signature -on the will you claim was the last one she signed.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate’s face flushed with anger. He now seemed quite confused.</p> - -<p>“What does this prove?” he blustered. “Not a thing! A person’s -signature never appears exactly the same.”</p> - -<p>“True,” agreed Mr. Hooper. “But in this case, the handwriting on the -quilt only confirms what I long suspected—that the will you produced -was a fraud.”</p> - -<p>“That’s not so,” Mr. Wingate denied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> “You knew all my sister’s -possessions were destroyed in the fire. So you thought you could claim -to have discovered the new will, and no one could prove otherwise.”</p> - -<p>The men began to argue about the matter. At first their voices were -fairly quiet, but gradually they spoke in louder and louder tones. -Miss Gordon and the Brownies were quite distressed. Other persons were -glancing curiously at the two men.</p> - -<p>Drawn by the argument, an elderly gentleman sauntered over to the -booth. Connie recognized him as Judge Hutchins of Probate Court.</p> - -<p>The judge stood for a while listening to the two men talk. Then he -picked up the autograph quilt and studied the signature of Ella Hooper.</p> - -<p>“Wingate,” he said, “if I were you, I’d withdraw that will which gives -you title to the Hooper orchard.”</p> - -<p>“And be cheated out of my rightful inheritance?” Wingate demanded -furiously.</p> - -<p>The judge shrugged. “It’s up to you to decide what you want to do,” -he replied. “But if I were in your place, I’d forget the matter. This -appears to be the authentic signature of Ella Hooper. Offhand, without -comparing it with the name which is signed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> to the two wills, I would -say it more closely resembles the signature on the document already -filed in our court.”</p> - -<p>“I’m being cheated,” Mr. Wingate muttered.</p> - -<p>“Do as you please,” the judge said. “Take the matter into court if you -like. However, if it should be proven that the signature on your will -is a forgery, your cousin then could bring action against you.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wingate knew that he would have no chance in court.</p> - -<p>“You have the best of me,” he said angrily. “Thanks to this quilt! Keep -your stupid orchard! I have enough trouble looking after my own!”</p> - -<p>“Then you’ll drop your claim to the property?” his cousin demanded.</p> - -<p>“I’ll drop it, because I don’t want to have a long court fight,” Mr. -Wingate snapped. “But I’m not admitting that the will isn’t a genuine -one.”</p> - -<p>Glaring at the judge and his cousin, the orchard owner strode off into -the crowd.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper then turned to the Brownies, thanking them for finding the -quilt and saving his orchard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, it was Veve who did it,” Connie said, giving full credit to her -friend. “The autograph quilt is all hers.”</p> - -<p>“But I might never have noticed the name on the block if it hadn’t been -for the quilt show,” Veve replied. “I think all the Brownies deserve -credit.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Hooper seemed to think so too. At any rate, he thanked each girl in -turn.</p> - -<p>“You don’t know what this means to me,” he said. “I hated the thought -of giving up that orchard as I’ve worked hard for many years to make it -productive. Now I’ll be able to remain there.”</p> - -<p>“Will you rebuild your house?” Rosemary asked him.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, I will. When it is finished, we’ll have a house warming party. -The Brownies are invited!”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be there,” promised Veve.</p> - -<p>Not only did Mr. Hooper thank the Brownies, but afterwards, he told his -friends how the girls had saved his orchard.</p> - -<p>In turn, they told other persons, until it seemed that almost everyone -at the cherry festival heard about the affair.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were asked so many questions they were glad when it came -time to select the queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> of the fiesta. Everyone gathered near the -platform where the election was to be held.</p> - -<p>“I wonder why folks keep looking at us and whispering?” Rosemary -remarked uneasily. “I don’t like it!”</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean now read off the names of several girls who hoped to be -chosen queen. These candidates had entered their names with the -committee.</p> - -<p>“If you wish, you may write in additional candidates,” Mr. McLean -instructed. “The queen—” he paused for emphasis—“or queens, we feel, -should be truly representative of Rosedale. The festival committee -wishes to send to Washington the person or persons who have done the -most to make this affair a success.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were somewhat puzzled by the Chamber of Commerce -president’s remarks.</p> - -<p>“How could several persons be queen?” Connie speculated.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see what he meant,” Veve added, equally mystified.</p> - -<p>Persons who cast their votes seemed to know, for they smiled in a most -peculiar way as one after another, they dropped their folded ballots -into the box.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span></p> - -<p>The Mexican pickers were allowed to vote too. In a group they marched -to the box and dropped in their slips.</p> - -<p>“You’ll be surprised when you learn who is queen of the fiesta,” Juan -told Veve.</p> - -<p>“Tell me!”</p> - -<p>“You wait and see,” Juan laughed.</p> - -<p>Veve wondered then if some of the people might be voting for Connie, -even though her name had not been on the list. But Connie, she thought, -would be too young to take a cherry pie to Washington by herself.</p> - -<p>The Brownies became very curious indeed, and scarcely could wait until -the votes were counted.</p> - -<p>Finally, the task was completed. Again Mr. McLean mounted the platform. -He was smiling broadly.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, clapping his hands for attention. “I -shall now give you the results of the balloting.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies moved closer so that they would not miss the important -announcement.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean read off the names of five leading candidates. “Miss Marana -Jones, 43 votes. Miss Eva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> Parkhurst, 51 votes. Miss Esther Illman, 64 -votes. Miss Geraldine Gainsworth, 75 votes. Miss Martha Fellows, 79 -votes—”</p> - -<p>A few persons in the audience began to clap, for Miss Fellows was the -leading candidate. Only the five girls had given their names to the -committee. Even the Brownies thought that she had been elected as the -festival queen.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean, however, held up his hand in a signal for silence.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and gentlemen,” he boomed. “We also have write-in candidates. I -now give you <em>The Winner</em> with 1,398 votes—”</p> - -<p>The crowd became very quiet. Everyone listened.</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">The Brownies!</span>” announced the Chamber of Commerce president.</p> - -<p>Everyone began to whistle and clap and shout. The Brownies were so -taken by surprise, they scarcely knew what to think.</p> - -<p>It did not seem possible that they had been elected to the honor!</p> - -<p>“But we can’t all be queen,” Jane whispered uneasily. “There must be -some mistake.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. McLean announced that several persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> could be chosen,” Connie -recalled. “Only we didn’t even enter our names!”</p> - -<p>The girls crowded about Miss Gordon, who, oddly enough, seemed very -little surprised that the organization had been selected instead of a -single queen.</p> - -<p>“You knew it all the time!” Veve accused the teacher. “Didn’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. McLean talked to me about it earlier today,” the Brownie leader -confessed. “He convinced me that inasmuch as the idea for a cherry -festival originated with the organization, it would be suitable for the -troop to take the cherry pie to Washington.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t tell us anything about it,” Connie said.</p> - -<p>“At first it seemed very uncertain that the Brownies could be elected -on a write-in basis,” the teacher explained. “But I underestimated Mr. -McLean. I think he must have told everyone to vote for the Brownies.”</p> - -<p>“And so did Mr. Hooper,” added a bystander. “Also, the Mexican pickers -voted solidly for the troop.”</p> - -<p>“Just think of going to Washington!” Connie exclaimed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> her eyes -star-bright at the thought. “Is it really true, Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’ve given my consent,” the Brownie leader nodded. “And so have -your parents.”</p> - -<p>“Will you go with us?” Rosemary asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is the plan. All expenses will be paid and we’re to stay -nearly a week.”</p> - -<p>“Will we really see the President?” Eileen asked in awe.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, yes,” smiled Miss Gordon. “And the White House as well.”</p> - -<p>“I want to visit the Red Room!” shouted Sunny. “And see the swimming -pool!”</p> - -<p>“I want to visit the mint where the money is made!” laughed Eileen.</p> - -<p>All of the girls thought of dozens of things they intended to see and -do.</p> - -<p>The crowd began to clap and to call for the Brownies to appear on the -stage.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon lined up the girls and had them march single file onto the -platform. In their pinchecked uniforms, each with a jaunty little brown -beanie, they looked very nice indeed.</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean then made a speech, telling the girls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> how grateful Rosedale -was for their efforts in making the cherry festival a success.</p> - -<p>The Brownies wanted to tell him that it had not been work at all—only -good fun. However, with so many persons looking at them, they were a -trifle embarrassed.</p> - -<p>“Accept this plaque as a token of the city’s appreciation,” the Chamber -of Commerce president resumed. He held up a large bronze badge in the -shape of a cherry blossom. “The name of the Rosedale Brownie Troop will -be engraved upon it.”</p> - -<p>Mr. McLean waited for one of the girls to step forward. No one wanted -to do it. Eileen nudged Jane and Jane nudged Veve who gave Connie a -little push. So she had to take the plaque.</p> - -<p>“Thank you so much, Mr. McLean,” she said, speaking as well as if she -had planned her speech. “In behalf of the Brownie organization, may I -say that we deeply appreciate the honor? We’ll do our best to bring -credit to Rosedale!”</p> - -<p>“You’ll do it too!” approved Mr. McLean. “We couldn’t have chosen -a better set of queens if we had scoured three counties! On to -Washington!”</p> - -<p>You may be certain that the Chamber of Commerce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> president’s words made -the Brownies very happy and proud.</p> - -<p>At a signal from Miss Gordon, they all raised their hands in the -Brownie salute and stood for a moment at attention.</p> - -<p>“Hurrah for the Brownies!” shouted the crowd.</p> - -<p>“Give my regards to the President!” joked some one in the vast audience.</p> - -<p>The President! Even the thought of meeting such a great person made the -chills run up and down the spines of the Brownies.</p> - -<p>Their organization had won the highest honor any troop ever could -achieve. Not only would they see and talk to the President, but they -would have a full week at the nation’s Capital.</p> - -<p>“On to Washington!” laughed Mr. McLean.</p> - -<p>“On to Washington!” shouted the Brownies.</p> - -<p>With a vision of wonderful times ahead, they were ready, you see, to -start at any moment.</p> - - - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<div class="tn"> -<p class="noi">Transcriber’s note:</p> - -<p class="noi">Punctuation has been standardised. Other changes to the original -publication have been made as follows:</p> - -<ul class="nobullet"> -<li><ul><li>Page 25<br /> -I am Wingate. What d’ you want? <i>changed to</i><br /> -I am Wingate. What <a href="#dyou">d’you</a> want?</li></ul></li> - -<li><ul><li>Page 156<br /> -remarked that she yould think <i>changed to</i><br /> -remarked that she <a href="#would">would</a> think</li></ul></li> -</ul> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry -Festival, by Mildred A. 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