discouraged.”
“And yesterday a fox took two,” Grace added. “I guess fate is against us.”
“I’m afraid I’ll lose all of my chickens before I get through,” Allie declared unhappily. “I don’t know what is killing them. They seem to have a strange disease.”
“Allie is all broken up,” Grace said quietly. “She’s worked so hard with her chickens. Most of them are pets. And then, we need the money so badly. Now that dressmaking has fallen off, the chicken money is our only means of support.”
“Please, won’t you let me help?” Nancy begged reaching for her pocketbook. “Accept a little loan to tide you over?”
Grace shook her head firmly.
“Thank you for your kindness, Nancy; but we can’t take your money. We’ll manage somehow.”
“If only Uncle Josiah had provided for us!” Allie sighed. “You haven’t learned anything more about the second will, Nancy?”
“I haven’t anything definite to report,” Nancy replied, evading the question. She did not wish to raise false hope and she thought it best not to tell of her discovery. “But I’m still hoping we’ll be able to trace the will.”
“I doubt it,” Grace commented pessimistically.
“I’m on my way to Moon Lake now,” Nancy told the girls. “I stopped here to deliver the dress goods.” She handed a package to Grace. “The pattern is inside and I’m easy to fit, so you’ll have no trouble.”
Grace’s face brightened as she accepted the bundle.