It's Bill that's spent the money on his cussed booze and gambling. Way of the Lawless Max Brand The gambling houses can do it, and so keep on breaking the law.
When Winnie tries to drink, Jesse stops her. Then Mae and Miles appear. Alarmed at Winnie's discovery of the spring, they kidnap her. Winnie learns that the music she heard comes from Mae's music box. She also learns the Tucks' secret: the water in the spring is magic and has made them ageless.
Winnie learned that the Tucks drank from the spring 87 years ago and stayed the same ages ever since. She learned that they could never die. They kidnapped her so they could tell her the secret and explain why it was important that no one ever find out. Winnie thought the Tucks were gentle and they made her feel important. She felt they were her friends.