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interested in what's in this package than she would my welfare." |
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"Of course she would." Linda laughed. "You should know by now women can't stand not knowing what's in a package. It drives them right up the wall." |
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"Is that a roundabout way of telling me that even you are curious about what's in that package?" |
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"Certainly I'm curious. What if it's something really valuable, like somebody paying off an old debt?" |
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"Well, what Ruthie doesn't know won't hurt her," Bart drawled. |
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"Are you serious?" Linda giggled. |
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"Sure. Go ahead . . . open it." |
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Linda slid the package over next to the flickering candle and began to systematically peel off the soiled brown paper wrapping. The cardboard box inside was equally battered and had the word "Ruthie" scrawled along the side with a black crayon. |
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She tore open the box, reached in, extracted a handful of shredded newspapers and pulled out a large, cumbersome jar. She set it on the table and sagged back in her chair, looking disappointed. "Well, so much for my theory on something valuable," she sighed. |
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"What is it?" Bartholomew blinked. "From here it looks like it could be a jar of pickles or something." |
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