Jeremy came willingly. This was going to give him a chance to put the old car in condition to travel. So presently Stanton had his baggage ready and was off.
At the last he did not wait to go into the kitchen, and so it was Jennifer who announced his departure to Maggie the cook and Letty the waitress.
“Stanton had to go away in a great hurry,” she said. “He got a message that his mother was very sick and wanted to see him at once, and I made him go immediately.” She said it with a smile.
“Poor man,” said Maggie wistfully, “he’s that fond of his mother. But he never stops to see what a hole that leaves the rest of us in, and we with funeral company still on our hands!”
Maggie was still grumpy. She had a vision of Petra Holbrook and her sharp tongue.
“No,” said Jennifer quietly, “no company! I’m going to tell them all that we are very tired and want to rest. Anyway, I’m sure they are all going home at once. I listened from the upper hall just now, and Aunt Petra and Aunt Majesta are just leaving. I don’t believe anybody is expecting to stay here to lunch, and I heard them say they were going to invite us home to the different houses for a few days, so I thought it would be a good chance for you all to have a little vacation and get rested up from the extra work. How about it? Would you and Letty like to take a weekend off, or perhaps a little longer if we don’t get right back?”
Maggie brightened up.
“Why yes, Miss Jennifer, I wouldn’t mind,” said Maggie. “I been talking about running up in the country to my cousin’s for a few days if you thought you could spare me, and I really would enjoy a bit of rest if you think you won’t need me.”
“No, I shan’t need you, probably for several days, perhaps longer. I’m not just sure what we are going to do right away. We have to talk it over and decide. So if you would just leave me the address where I could reach you, I can let you know.”
“Why sure!” beamed Maggie. “You’re like your blessed mamma, Miss Jennifer. And now, what about the dinner? I’ve got the chickens cooking. It would be a pity to throw them away. I put in a few extra potatoes lest some of the relatives might stay.”
“That’s all right,” said Jennifer blithely, “just go on with your dinner preparations. We won’t have any company, at least I hope not, but I would like to have dinner a little early, say five thirty, then if we’re asked anywhere we can say we’ve had dinner, for the children are much too tired and excited to behave as visitors tonight. You needn’t have any special fuss. You’ll want to be getting ready to go. You can take the evening train if you like. Just wash up the dishes and go. And, Maggie, if any of the aunts come out here to give orders, don’t tell them you are going away. You needn’t set the table till they are all gone, anyway; or if they ask you any questions, send them to me.”
“Yes, Miss Jennifer,” beamed Maggie.
“And how about you, Letty? Is it all right with you to go away a few days?”
“I’ll say it is,” chirped Letty. “I got a date to go somewheres every night for a week, and I didn’t suppose I could get off. And my cousin that’s a nurse wants me to stay in her room in the city with her whenever I can. She’s lonesome.”
“Well, that’s all right, then,” said Jennifer with relief. “Now I must go and see that those children take naps. They are all worn out with excitement.”
Chapter 4
Astonishingly the relatives had all disappeared without coming in contact with any of the family.
It happened rather suddenly. Uncle Blake had an appointment at twelve thirty and slipped away without attracting much attention from the rest. The lawyer, when he had finished the reading of the will, put his papers away hastily, in a hurry to make a train. The aunts rose as one man and discovered that it was lunchtime and they should be at home. With surreptitious glances at one another they made good their escape, all of them so angry at the final clauses of the will that they were sure there was no one around to listen. So they whispered tentative appointments to meet at their own houses and talk the matter over together, to see what could be done. “It was ridiculous!” they said. “John and Miriam just hadn’t exercised any sense at all, and something must be done. Those poor children!”
And then they all hurried off and left “those poor children” to their own devices¾intending, of course, to call up later and offer a consolation or two before evening.
Jennifer listened from the back hall for a moment and then went stealthily into the front of the house and watched them go. Then, drawing a long breath, she went to the front door and made sure that it was bolted. Now she need not fear their interference!
But this freedom could not be counted on for long. Aunt Petra was not one to let the grass grow under her feet.
Jennifer sped up the stairs to her young prisoners, and with the promise of more candy for the first one asleep, she persuaded them to their beds.
Her next thought was of money. She must have enough to finance their exodus.
Had her father left money in the safe? He usually did leave a little, a few dollars, anyway, when he was going to be gone a few days. For that reason he had told her the combination not long ago. But he had never left much. Probably there wouldn’t be enough to help them substantially now.
However, she recalled that her father had been waiting anxiously for a couple of hours before he left, for the coming of a man with whom he had an appointment. Wasn’t it something about the sale of some property, a small house the man was buying? She could not remember definitely. She hadn’t been interested. But just as the last minute, before they left for the airstrip, he came. She remembered it was at least half past three, too late to put anything in the bank, if it was money the man was bringing. She remembered, too, that her father had rushed up to his room while his car waited for him at the door. Could it be possible that it had been money and he had left it in the safe? And oh, if it was money, would there be enough for her need now?
The meager hundred dollars in her personal account would not go far for seven of them in running away for three months.
Quietly she stole into the big lovely master bedroom, which had always been the real center of their home and where the presence of her father and mother still seemed to linger. Every wall and picture and rug, even the small personal things, seemed to remind of the lost dear ones so keenly that Jennifer paused in the doorway and caught her breath. Then she turned her eyes to the large photographs of the two who were gone. They stood on the mantel, and her eyes met their pictured ones. It was as if a promise passed between them that Jennifer, the eldest of the children, would pledge herself to protect the rest.
The thought steadied her, and she brushed away the blinding tears that came unbidden and set herself to find whatever would help her carry out her plans.
You know, Mother, Daddy, I’m going to try to do my best, and I’ll just have to take whatever I can find that will help us get away before those aunts try to separate us.
It was sort of an apology, in place of the prayer that some girls in similar situations would have put up. Then she went to the panel that hid the wall safe, pushed it aside, and her eager trembling fingers began to swing the little bright knob from number to number as she thought she remembered the combination. Oh, that it might be right!
And suddenly, the last turn¾! The door swung open!
“Oh!” she uttered, and there was thanksgiving in her heart. Now, if there was anything¾!
Carefully she went through the contents of that safe, compartment by compartment, her heart swelling with tears she had no time to shed as she came upon jewels and a few rare treasures that reminded strongly of her mother and father. Some of them could be left there, but there were two or three rings and pins that she wouldn’t like to feel were left in the house, in case of fire. And it was too late to take them to the bank. She would have to take them with her. She would have to wear them in her mother’s little jewel bag that she pinned inside of her dress when she was going on a journey and ha
d small valuables to carry.
She opened another compartment and found only papers, apparently having to do with business matters. Still another contained bonds with coupons that had to be clipped off at regular intervals. Her father had once explained them to her.
Last she twirled a tiny knob of another inner compartment, where her father used frequently to put money when he was to be away overnight. To her joy it swung open and there were bills inside, yes, and a little drawer with silver change! Wonderful!
She gathered them out. Across the whole bundle was scribbled in her father’s writing, Cash payment from Mr. Smith for deposit Monday. All but a few of the top bills were crisp and new, and done into small bundles, some of which were labeled with the amount. As she riffled through them she estimated that there must be somewhere around a thousand dollars altogether, perhaps a little more. She hadn’t time to count them carefully now. There was too much to be done before night.
She hadn’t an idea how much she would need to keep the seven of her family for three months, but certainly a thousand was better than nothing.
Much relieved, she put away the papers and other things she did not mean to take with her, whirled the knob carefully, closed the panel, and replaced the picture that hung over it. Then she searched for her mother’s jewel pouch and, taking them all, retired to her own room behind a locked door to put her capital into safety for the journey, taking the precaution to save out a nice little sum for Jeremy to carry. She must get something to put it in or he would stick it in his hip pocket and laugh at her fears. But she did not intend that they should take any risks with their tiny fortune. There would be many needs in three months if they were to stay hidden safely until she was of age. One of them might be sick. There would be board to pay. They couldn’t live in the car continually, not with children.
As these thoughts flitted through her mind her young soul quaked within her. What was she daring to do? Take the whole family into an unknown world and be responsible for all of them? Oh, was she doing right? But it was too late now, and there was no time to think of any other plan. She must get them all away before Aunt Petra and Aunt Majesta got to work and separated them.
Frantically she folded Jeremy’s portion into a plain envelope. She would hunt among Father’s things for a money belt. She was sure he had one.
She hurried back to her father’s chiffonier and found the money belt. Now the money part was all arranged for the journey. That was a big thing off her mind.
Jennifer sat down at her own desk and wrote a list of things she must do before she left. There were letters to write, first and foremost, one to Uncle Blake. Then one to the gardener who lived in a little street not far away and must be asked to keep on caring for the place, the garden and lawn, etc. There was a note also to the local police, asking them to keep guard over the house during their absence, telling them that the gardener would be keeping things in order and that they were to report any irregularities to Uncle Blakefield. Jennifer chose Uncle Blakefield to refer to because she liked him best of all her uncles. There might have been a guardian appointed, of course, who had power to lord it over him; Jennifer had not stayed in the library long enough to find out. But Uncle Blake would at least see that all was as it should be. A guardian didn’t bulk very large in Jennifer’s mind at that moment. She intended to be guardian herself before she came back to the family home.
Her letters were crisp and to the point. She did not waste much time on them. To her uncle she wrote:
Dear Uncle Blake:
I was in the library while the relatives were talking, and heard their plans.
We don’t intend to be separated, so we are running away until I am of age and have a right to look after the family. That will be October 5th.
I am not telling anybody but you about it because, even if there is a guardian appointed, I couldn’t trust anybody else.
Sorry we had to do it this way, but we couldn’t see having Aunt Petunia and Aunt Maje run us.
We’ve got some money, so we shan’t suffer, and if we need anything we’ll telegraph you.
If you need to get in touch with us after next Thursday, you can put a “Personal” in the New York Times, addressed to J.J., and we’ll find a way to see it within a few days. Sign your own initials.
Now give us a break, and don’t tell the rest till you have to. And don’t let them hunt for us if you can help it.
I’ve asked the police to keep an eye on the house and report to you if anything happens. And the gardener will look after the place. I’ve dismissed the servants for the present.
We’re going to a safe, quiet place. Don’t worry! Three months isn’t long.
Lovingly,
Jen
The other notes were to Emil the gardener and to the police.
She read her letters over carefully, satisfied that she had done her best. Was there anything else about the house that ought to be attended to?
Then she heard a car coming into the drive. Was that Jerry? She hurried down to the side door and met him as he came from the garage.
They spoke guardedly as they stood at the side entrance.
“Jerry! Your pony! Had you thought about that?”
“Sure! I told the stable boy to take him up to the farm, and I just phoned the farmer. He said it was okay, they’d look after him till we were ready for him again. And the boy can stay up there and work. He’s pleased all right.”
“Fine. Now what else is there to do? How about the car?”
“It’s all ready. Had if filled down at Piper’s filling station. Nobody would ever recognize it there. The chauffeur always took it to the stations up this way. Now, what do you want of me? Where can I help best? What’s become of the kids?”
“They’re all sound asleep,” said Jennifer. “They were just worn out.”
“Good work, Jen; we can get more done with them parked for a while. What about the servants now? What’s the next act?”
“Maggie and Letty are going on a vacation. We’re having dinner at five thirty. They’ll wash the dishes and be ready to leave. I told Maggie you would take her to the seven o’clock train. Take her in your little car, so the other won’t be seen going out again until after dark.”
“Okay, Miss Graeme. You’ve got quite a head on you for a girl, if you are my sister. How about Letty?”
“She’s taking the bus to the city. I told her you would help her on with her bags. Her young man meets her in town. So she’s all right. She’ll leave a little before Maggie. They think we are being invited out somewhere among the relatives. I promised to send them word when we wanted them back.”
“Well, things seem to be working our way, don’t they? But how about the relatives? Haven’t any of the aunts turned up yet? You know any one of them could wreck our plans in less than a minute.”
“Yes, I know. There! Wasn’t that the phone? Oh dear!”
Jennifer flew into the house and went to the telephone.
Chapter 5
“Hello!” she said in an excited young voice. “Oh, is that you, Aunt Petra? Yes, thank you, we’re all right. The children are all sound asleep. They were worn out with excitement, you know. They need to get calmed down. What’s that? Dinner? Tonight? Oh, thank you, Aunt Petra, but I don’t think I ought to leave the children. Besides, I’m quite worn out myself. I don’t seem to want to go anywhere. No, I’m not going to brood. I want to keep cheerful for the children’s sake. Stay all night? No, thank you. Not at present. We’re quite all right, Aunt Petra. No, you don’t need to come over and stay with us. We really don’t need anybody. We’d rather be very quiet for a while, you know. Yes, it was kind of you to call. No, we’ll be better eating dinner here. No indeed, we’re not afraid. Yes, I know you have other company. I understand perfectly, Aunt Petra, and it was sweet of you to call, but we’re better off at home just at present.”
Aunt Petra ceased talking at last, and Jennifer hung up with relief, hoping she hadn’t said anything that wasn?
??t true. The family had always been very particular about speaking the absolute truth, and she didn’t want to overstep the rules she had been taught.
Jeremy appeared at her side as she turned away from the telephone.
“You got by that ordeal pretty well,” he said, grinning. “I don’t fancy it hurt her much that we wouldn’t come. She never was keen on inviting any of us. I don’t think she’ll grieve! But that’s only the beginning. You’ll see; the other aunts will all call up pretty soon. Aunt Pet will tell them we’ve declined her invitation, so they’ll dare try.”
Then the telephone rang again.
“There!” said Jerry. “What did I tell you? But Aunt Petunia certainly got in her work good and quick.”
“Oh, that’s Aunt Majesta, I suppose. They went home together, perhaps, or else they stopped downtown together, and it didn’t take Aunt Petra long to report,” said Jennifer as she hurried back to the telephone.
She came out smiling a minute later.
“That’s just what it was! Aunt Majesta wanted to go on record quickly before I changed my mind. She said she’d love to take two of the little girls for all night, but I told her we were staying together tonight and couldn’t accept any invitations. She even suggested you might like to come to dinner. She said Uncle Pemberton wanted to give you a little advice, and this would be a god time. But I told her no, we needed you!”
“Okay with me,” said Jeremy. “Advice! Bologna! I don’t care for any of his advice! Thunder! There goes the doorbell! Now who do you suppose that could be?”
They listened, and a shade of annoyance passed over Jennifer’s face as she recognized a voice. Jeremy didn’t miss her expression.
“Good night!” he said crossly. “Is that Pete Willis? Who does he think he is? Now I suppose you’ll duck and run and leave us all up a tree! For goodness’ sake, tell me what to do while he’s here.”
Jennifer, with a very determined look on her young face, patted his arm.