The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard

somebody else to tell it.”
    â€œWhat did my grandmother say, Ben?” Mandie pressed further as Ben drove around a corner of the downtown business section.
    â€œShe say, ‘You do right, Ben, tellin’ me,’ ” the driver replied. “And she say I must promise not to go back down dat alley agin, so I promised, so now we cain’t ever go down it agin.” He looked at Mandie, nodding and smiling.
    â€œYou promised, Ben,” Mandie said. “Grandmother hasn’t mentioned it to us, but she knows you drive us everywhere we want to go and that you will abide by her wishes. Why didn’t you tell us that you had told her?”
    Ben focused his attention back on the road and said, “I figures you won’t be likin’ dat ’cause now I cain’t ever drive you through dat alley agin.”
    Mandie thought quickly for a response. “That’s fine, Ben,” she said. “You keep your promise to my grandmother.” She glanced at Celia by her side.
    Celia raised her eyebrows as she met Mandie’s glance. Mandie knew what Celia was thinking because they had discussed it. Mrs. Taft had probably given Ben strict orders as to where exactly he could drive the girls from now on. They would not be allowed to persuade Ben off on side trips like they had been doing.
    â€œHere we be, young ladies,” Ben announced as he pulled the buggy up to a hitching post in front of Heyward’s Store. “Now, Miz Taft, she say fo’ me to wait right heah fo’ y’all.”
    Mandie and Celia stepped down from the vehicle. “Yes, Ben, you wait right here,” Mandie said. “We won’t be but a few minutes.”
    As soon as the two girls entered the store, they began a mumbled conversation under their breath.
    â€œWhat a relief to know that Grandmother is not going to give us any strict orders about where we can and can’t go,” Mandie said. “She’s instructed Ben about it. So if we make a suggestion now and then, Ben might agree to take us other places, provided those places are in respectable neighborhoods.”
    â€œYes,” Celia whispered back. “I was surprised that your grandmother did not talk to us about that alley.”
    â€œBut remember, it wasn’t our fault. And it wasn’t really Ben’s, either, because the rig broke down. If that had not happened, we would have driven straight through there without any problem,” Mandie replied.
    Mr. Heyward was back at the desk, thanking a customer who was leaving. The girls paused in the aisle to wait. They were shocked when the customer turned to come down the aisle to the front door.
    â€œApril Snow!” Mandie exclaimed at the same moment she saw them.
    Grasping her purchase, April rushed past them without a word and on out the front door. Mandie and Celia turned to look after her.
    â€œShe must be alone, which is strictly forbidden,” Mandie whispered to Celia. She hurried to look out the front door and saw April rush down the street.
    Celia came up behind Mandie and said, “I wonder what she bought.”
    Mr. Heyward had seen the two girls, and he came down the aisle to greet them. “And how are you young ladies today? Back for another purchase for Miss Hope?” he said.
    â€œOh, hello, Mr. Heyward. No, sir, we came for my grandmother today,” Mandie said, quickly turning to look at the man.
    â€œAnd how is Mrs. Taft today?” Mr. Heyward asked.
    Mandie mentally debated whether to mention the burglaries to this man and then decided it would be all right to discuss it.
    â€œMr. Heyward, you have probably heard about the burglaries that are happening here in Asheville,” Mandie began. “Well, my grandmother has a silver set missing, and she can’t figure out where it got to.”
    â€œOh dear!” Mr. Heyward replied. “Yes, I have heard about the burglaries and have been taking extra precautions to