Cara Preston started crying right on cue. "Grandma, just because my sister gave you a radio, you're defending her like this! She might be your biological granddaughter, but I've called you Grandma for eighteen years! Are all those years of family ties worth less than a radio?"
Grandma was stunned. She had been delighted when Vera Xavier gave her the radio, but Cara's words completely soured the moment. The onlooking villagers all turned to stare at her. Thanks to her high standing in the village, they didn't say anything nasty.
She said through gritted teeth, "Cara, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Sobbing, Cara Preston said, "You're so biased toward my sister, and you still say I'm talking nonsense! Fine, there's no place for me in this family anymore. I don't want to live!"
With that, she tried to jump into the pond again, but Rona Langdon grabbed her in a tight hug. "My poor Cara, if anything were to happen to you, how would your mother go on living!"
