"It wasn't exactly his fault, though," Terry argued. "Mr. Callahan might claim, as they say they do in some insurance policies, that it was an act of God, an unforeseen calamity, and so get out of it--I mean he might say it was the ghost of Jockey Hollow."
"I hardly believe he would do that," remarked Arden, brushing her hair vigorously. "But it surely is puzzling. Well, we'll see what Harry Pangborn can figure out of it, though I think, since we sort of promised, in a way we should try and do something for the Danton family. There is no social service agency around here."
"Yes, somebody must help them, and they seem nice folks, too. But about this holly, what are you going to do with it specially?"
"Decorate this place for Christmas, of course. Coming with me?"
"I suppose so. Dot and Sim will, I imagine."
"Yes, we'll make a little party of it. Oh, I do love to walk in the snow, and it's coming down beautifully!" raved Arden. "Do come and look, Terry!"
"Wait until I get this shoe on. Though if we're going to tramp in the snow I suppose I'd better wear heavier ones."
"You won't need them with arctics. But isn't it a glorious storm!"
Terry agreed that it was. The two chums finished dressing and went out in the hall to go down for breakfast, which was evidently being prepared by Moselle and her dark daughter, as testified to by the rattling of dishes and the aroma of bacon and coffee floating up.
As Terry and Arden were walking toward the stairs, they heard the door of Sim's room open, and Dot came out, wearing a robe. She held her finger on her lips as a signal for silence.
"She has a bad headache," Dot replied. "She was awake a good part of the night, and she's just fallen asleep. I thought I'd slip down and tell Moselle not to make any more noise than she can help. Sim needs quiet."
"Oh, that's too bad!" murmured Terry. "I wonder if there's anything we can do?"
"No, I gave her some aspirin. She'll be all right. If you're going down, would you mind having that little slave bring me up some coffee? That's all I want. I'll be waiting out in the hall so I won't disturb Sim by opening the door too often."
"It's too bad," murmured Terry again. "Can't you come down and have some breakfast with us?"