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 had 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.