CHAPTER 3Afternoon Stroll
Redfield was not one to sit helpless while an awkward pause prolonged itself. He said briskly: “Why don’t we all stretch our legs? Stroll around the place? There’s nothing to see in the gardens, of course, but there are a few things to pick, and Alice wants flowers for the house. I ought to collect some marigolds. How about it, Abby? Will you keep me company in the cutting garden?”
“I’ll walk down with you, Johnny,” said Abigail, getting up, “but I won’t watch you cut marigolds. I hate the things. I hate the way they smell, and I hate that particular yellow.”
“But they’re such a sacred flower,” protested Vega sentimentally.
“Let the Hindus hang them on the cows,” said Abigail. “I’ll take a walk around the Loop.”
“Splendid. Just let me get my basket and the sh
