"Oh, but what does it all mean?" murmured the old lady. "I can't understand. They told me," she went on, looking from Betty to Dick, "that someone here wanted to see me. They suggested it might be the last time I could view this dear old room, as the contractor would probably rush the work of tearing the house down after Christmas. So I came. Here I am. But what does it mean?" She was bewildered.
"We are the ones who wanted to see you, Granny Howe," said Sim.
"We thought you would like a last little party in your old home," said Terry, who managed to get along with only a slight limp now. "And here it is!" She pulled aside a cloth that had been put over the food piled on an old table.
"How kind of you," Granny said. There was a suspicious brightness in her eyes.
"But it is going to be more than just a little party," spoke Arden. "We have some good news for you."
"News," supplemented Dorothy, "which we hope will make your Christmas very happy." Doubtless Dorothy felt that, like some, of her actress mother's experiences, this was a sort of play and all the actors must contribute a line.
"Mr. Pangborn will tell you!" said Arden, pushing Harry forward, for he had shifted about until he was behind Dorothy. "It was his idea, and he must have the credit for it."
"Oh, nonsense! I don't want any credit. And you girls are as much in it as I am!" Harry protested. "You tell her, Arden!"
"No. It requires a man's legal mind to go into the details. Go on, Harry. Can't you see she is on the verge of a breakdown if you keep her in suspense much longer?" she whispered. Indeed, the old lady was trembling more than a little. Dick, too, seemed a little uncertain of what the next move was to be. But Betty's eyes were very bright. Sim, Terry, and Dorothy were smiling happily.
"It will not take long to explain," said Harry. Then, as simply as he could, he related the offer of the Park Commission. In effect it meant a much better chance than Granny Howe had ever had to prove her claim, assisted by the best legal minds that could be engaged.
"Isn't that a wonderful Christmas present, Granny!" cried Betty. "Now perhaps we shall get something from the estate and I can finish my studies instead of slaving in that musty library. And Dick, too! He can go to college now!"