AFTER THE TRAM ride brought the girls back to more comfortable surroundings and Vetta indulged in a little gravel crunching outside the main hall she paused to think.
'Anthera?' she said in slightly mournful tones, stopping the Meditia girl as she went to climb the steps of the main entrance to Miss Plazenby's. The other two had already raced ahead while exchanging jibes at each other's expense.
'Yes Vetta?'
'Were you also, um, kidding about knowing who the donor was?'
'No. That Octoran vase was worth more than what I said of the necklace. There were several pieces there of first rate quality on that shelf. The lady who gave them away must have an incredible sense of generosity to simply discard such collectible items to help others.'
'Oh yes! She sounds amazing. And you found out who she is?' Vetta looked hopeful.
For answer Anthera produced the card. It had been left in the vase for some reason when it had been given to Bonsie's shop and upon it was written the lady's name and where she resided.
'Widow Mint, in the Twilit Estate,' Vetta read. 'She's a widow. She's lost a loved one. Perhaps kindness wells up in her through the sadness, inspiring her to give to the needy.'
'Sounds as likely as musical fungus, but who can say?' and Anthera shrugged. 'Come on. We must contribute to the needy too, I mean mistresses in need of pupils to teach. Back to lessons.'
With that she departed up the stairs to make ready for more schooling.
'But it is the weekend,' Vetta reminded no one in particular, and then she brightened. Another whole day tomorrow to explore the strange land of Frangea, perhaps converse with the blue-haired girl, and, most importantly, to find out about Widow Mint and her amazing generosity. First though, she decided she would like to crunch on the gravel some more.