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Show - 81 - r "Yes, and the more I begged him not to, the more he insisted that he was obligated to continue. What involvement or promises he had contracted I do not know, except that he was entangled in some terrible bond with a crime organization and could not release himself," said Claudine. Penny started to speak when she heard her mother calling from the top of the stairway and there was a slight edge in her voice. "Penelope, what are you doing down there? Have you spilled the wine? Dinner is on the table and we're waiting." Penny turned and Claudine was gone, so she picked up the container where she had placed it on the floor and started up the stairs. Later that evening as the girls were doing homework in their mother's little sitting room Vicky commented. "You've seen her again, haven't you?" "Yes, how do you know?" said Penny in astonishment. In an exasperated voice, her sister answered. "You always say that in the same surprised tone, when I ask you. I've come to know immediately when she's around. You have a peculiar expression on your face. I just wonder if Mama and Papa notice it, too. I'm sure Maddie and Tom are fully aware of it. What did she say?" said Vicky as she bent over her history book. It amazed Penny to see her sister's lack of interest, and she fully realized that Claudine could only depend upon her for help now. "Oh, nothing much," she answered, and turned to her books. The subject was dropped. |
