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Show CHAPTER XXIV - l60A- - •• • • • • 1 - ! -' . .., On the third day, when Penny was to meet Chang Iin, she woke up quite early and went down stairs. Dixie wagged her tail in recognition. She poured herself a glass of milk and prepared some toast, spread apricot jam over it and went over to the cooler arid took out a tumbler of fresh orange juice and' poured herself a glass. Then she sat down at the old kitchen table and proceeded to eat her breakfast, the little dog at her feet begging for tidbits. For want of something better to do, she gazed out the large window into the garden. Morning mists were twisting around the base of the trees and dewdrop.s sparkled on the flowers. The garden looked like a fairyland in the early morning and down one of the paths she saw Claudine walking. It surprised Penny that she should be glad to see the ghost maiden, as Chang Lin referred to her. She had become so much a part of her life for the past year that Penny almost felt as though she was another sister. It surprised her to think that such a thing was possible and if the time came when the ghost would not appear to her anymore she would miss her very much. She got up from her chair and walked over to the window and opened it. "Claudine, where have you been? I've missed you!" "You may not see me but I am always close by." She answered in her soft French accent. Penny wanted to tell her all about Chang Lin's promise to help but she thought that it would be wiser not to mention anything until she had received the old man's instructions. "If I should need you, how can I contact you?" asked Penny. Claudine looked at her and a strange expression came over her face. She smiled and said. "You need only to call me at any time and I will appear, Mamselle. You have never made this inquiry before. Can you tell me why you ask now?" "I cannot tell you at this time. Soon, I hope, many questions will be answered, but remember, I haven't given up and I'll continue to help you find what you are searching for." |