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.