“I didn’t mean to mix up the bags,” Vevi apologized. “I thought--” “Never mind what you thought,” Mrs. Gabriel broke in angrily. “Just tell me what you did with the tulip bulbs.” “I don’t see why you’re so excited about it,” Jane said before Vevi could answer. “You threw all your other bulbs away.” “In a culvert,” added Connie accusingly. “Why, you insolent, stupid children!” Mrs. Gabriel cried. “Such arrogance! I want my tulip bulbs. Do you understand?” The Brownies never had seen anyone more angry. Mrs. Gabriel seized Vevi by the arm, squeezing it so hard that the muscle hurt. “What have you done with my bulbs?” she demanded. “Let me go and I’ll tell you,” Vevi answered, trying to pull away. “I never will when you act so cross.” Mrs. Gabriel dropped her arm. She even forced a stiff sort of smile. “There, child, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she said in a wheedling tone. “Just tell me what you did with the contents of the bag.” “We planted the bulbs in the Brownie Scout bed at the library,” Vevi answered. “I didn’t mean to take your bulbs. But you got mine. So wasn’t it a fair exchange?” “A fair exchange?” Mrs. Gabriel cried, her voice shrill. “You planted the tulips! That bag was worth a small fortune to me. Oh, I could shake you!” Vevi backed away, rather afraid of the irate woman. “What did you do with the pellets that were in the bag?” she demanded. “You mean those little pieces of fertilizer?” Vevi stammered. “We planted them with the bulbs!” “Oh!” gasped Mrs. Gabriel. She started to scold Vevi and then abandoned the tirade. With a gesture of both anger and despair, she brushed past the girls and went rapidly away. _Chapter 17_ A LIBRARY WINDOW Vevi, Connie and Jane watched Mrs. Gabriel until she was out of sight far down the street. “Such a fuss about a few stupid tulip bulbs,” Vevi said. “What’s the matter with her anyhow?” “She’s an old fussbudget,” Jane returned. “Why did that one bag of bulbs mean so much to her?” “She spoke especially of the pellets that were with the bulbs,” Connie said reflectively. “Whoever heard of setting such store by fertilizer?” “Anyway, the bulbs are planted now,” Vevi said with a nervous giggle. “Do you suppose she’ll try to make me pay for ’em?” “She might,” Connie returned. “Mrs. Gabriel said the bulbs were worth a small fortune.” “That’s silly,” Vevi declared. “Even the best tulip bulbs shouldn’t cost more than a dollar or two a dozen.” “Some do, I think,” Connie said. “We must have planted at least four dozen.” “That would amount to eight or ten dollars at least,” Jane computed. “Vevi, if she decides to make trouble, you’re really in for it.” “Pooh! I’m not worried.” However, Vevi was only trying to put up a good front. Actually she was deeply concerned. She knew Mrs. Gabriel might accuse her of taking the tulip bulbs on purpose.