Polly and Levering were having an animated conversation with Mrs.
Comstock. Henderson saw Edith arise, follow the garden path next the
woods and stand waiting under the willow which Elnora would pass on her
return. It was for that meeting he had made the trip. He got down on the
ground, tore up the car, worked, asked for help, and kept Philip busy
screwing bolts and applying the oil can. All the time Henderson kept an
eye on Edith and Elnora under the willow. But he took pains to lay the
work he asked Philip to do where that scene would be out of his sight.
When Elnora came around the corner with the pitcher, she found herself
facing Edith Carr.
"I want a minute with you," said Miss Carr.
"Very well," replied Elnora, walking on.
"Set the pitcher on the bench there," commanded Edith Carr, as if
speaking to a servant.
"I prefer not to offer my visitors a warm drink," said Elnora. "I'll
come back if you really wish to speak with me."
"I came solely for that," said Edith Carr.
"It would be a pity to travel so far in this dust and heat for nothing.
I'll only be gone a second."
Elnora placed the pitcher before her mother. "Please serve this," she
said. "Miss Carr wishes to speak with me."
"Don't you pay the least attention to anything she says," cried Polly.
"Tom and I didn't come here because we wanted to. We only came to
checkmate her. I hoped I'd get the opportunity to say a word to you, and
now she has given it to me.
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