The next morning a bright sun shone. While Nancy was busy with chores around the house, the phone rang and she went to answer it.

"Hello, Nancy," said a quiet voice. "This is Jo. How are you?"

"Oh, Jo, I'm fine," Nancy replied eagerly. "Did you find a job?" she asked hopefully.

"Not yet," Joanne answered sadly. "But I have some other news."

"I hope it's good," Nancy said.

"I just talked with my grandmother on the phone. I must go home right away. She told me that soon after I left, a man called and made an offer to buy Red Gate. His price was so low, she didn't accept. He was very persistent, though, and gave her five days to think it over."

"Yes?" Nancy prompted.

"Well," the other girl went on, "in the meantime, Grandmother decided to try raising money by taking in boarders. She placed an ad in the paper that same day."

"Good for her!" Nancy exclaimed. "Has she had any replies?"

"No," Joanne said worriedly. "Even though the ad hasn't run very long. Gram's discouraged. I'm afraid she has changed her mind and intends to take that man's offer. She said he's coming to Red Gate tomorrow at five o'clock and bringing papers for her to sign."

There was a pause, then Joanne burst out, "Nancy, I just can't let Gram go through with this, and if I'm not there, she'll accept the man's offer. She mustn't give up Red Gate Farm yet! That's why I must get home and persuade her not to sell."

"By all means," Nancy agreed. "I suppose you'll take the train to Round Valley in the morning?"

"That's the horrible part. Nancy," Joanne said dejectedly. "I'll have only enough money for train fare half the way after I pay my room rent."

"No need to do that, Jo," Nancy said eagerly. "You get your bag packed and be ready to leave at ten o'clock tomorrow morning!"

CHAPTER VMoney, Money!

As Nancy reflected on her plan, another idea occurred to her. She was sure that Bess and George would love the chance to spend a vacation on a farm, since they had both mentioned it the other day. Nancy did some mental arithmetic and came to the conclusion that three steady boarders who paid their bills regularly might help to lessen the amount of the mortgage interest payments that threatened Red Gate.