"I'm sure I can," Norma said.
"We have already disposed of some of the paintings but there we were able to deal with experts. The otner treasures in this house you will find for us."
Carol was sitting in the breakfast nook having breakfast, too. She smiled at Norma as she said that they would help as much as they could, but most of the work would fall upon Norma's shoulders.
"That's all right," she said. "That's what you are hiring me for. I will manage."
A moment later, Lily wandered into the kitchen. She was not yet entirely awake and she sat down at the table, her tee shirt and too tight jeans showing off her very young, very ripe body. Norma felt that she would have to say something to Lily about her too tight clothing. She would have plenty of chance to talk with Lily while they were working together.
The twins arrived a few minutes later and the kitchen became a noisy place as everybody talked and ate at the same time. She was a bit surprised to learn that Lennie had the day planned for everyone and she was not going to have Lily with her, after all. Carol would work with her and Lily and the twins were going into the local town to get food and supplies.
"We will deliver a few pieces that I have already sold," Lennie said. "and I will keep the young ones with me. They can help me with what I have to do."
Norma began her work as soon as she was finished with breakfast. Lily and the twins cleaned up the kitchen and Lennie was very busy loading up a small panel truck that he had in the garage. Carol went into the library with her and showed her where all of the catalogues were. She was decidedly helpful.
They had little to do with the art works. Lennie had already made arrangements to sell every piece of art in the place. Carol said that they would spend most of their time, to start with, going through the books. The previous owner had obviously spent fortunes on first editions and prized pieces.
"That's what we have to do," Carol said. "We have to identify and itemize all of the books. Then Lennie can know what they are worth before he offers them for sale."
They worked well together, Norma thought. She liked Carol and at one point, when they took time out for a smoke, she sat back and looked at the beautiful brunette and she was amazed to realize that Carol was really spectacularly lovely. Her long brown hair hung straight down her back and framed her face like an arch. She parted it in the middle and she used eye makeup and lipstick sparingly. There was a quality of softness and warmth in Carol's big brown eyes and her slow, almost sensuous smile often made her seem exceptionally ethereal and unbelievably lovely. Carol noticed that she was looking at her rather intently and she blushed. Norma laughed, a bit self-consciously.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to embarrass you. But, you are so pretty. It just dawned on me."
"Thank you," Carol said.
They were sitting on the carpeting, looking at the catalogues and Carol got to her feet with an effort. She stood, smiling, as she looked down at Norma.
"I'll get us some coffee," Carol said. "I'll be right back."
She decided that she liked Carol and she was glad to have her for a friend. She tried to remember the horrid dream that she had had about Carol and the others and when she tried to remember what Carol had looked like in her dream and without her clothes, she was abruptly ashamed. She was becoming a really weird one. She was still blushing when Carol brought the tray with the coffee things into the library.
Carol didn't notice any change in Norma's complexion, apparently.
"They've gone," she said. "Now we have the house to ourselves. And I, for one, am glad. It gets so noisy with those twins around."
They took time out for some coffee and then they resumed work again.
There were hundreds of books and each one had to be examined and authenticated. Norma held a copy of a book in her hand that was devoted to witchcraft and Satanism and while it was a beautifully bound volume and in mint condition, Norma was not prepared to discover that that particular book was said to be worth twelve thousand dollars. She placed the book on the glass-topped desk and she gazed at Carol a bit uncertainly.
"What was the name of Lennie's uncle?" she asked.
"Lorimer Todd," Carol said. "Why?"
She was getting down some more books and dusting them off. She paused as she answered Norma's question, and lit a cigarette.
"It says in the catalogue that the only known copy of this book belongs to Lorimer Todd," Norma said. "That's why. This little beauty is worth twelve thousand dollars."
Carol nodded and her big, brown eyes were even larger than usual. "I know," she said. "This guy spent all kinds of money and time on the weirdest stuff. Set that aside so Lennie can peddle it right away."