Part 20 (1/2)
CHAPTER XX
Constance B.'s Venture
Owing to the stirring events at home, Jean had not set forth that morning, but the first excitement, incident to the sale of their belongings over, she prepared to drive out to East Riveredge, with her box of candies. Mrs. Carruth entertained some misgivings regarding the wisdom of letting her again pa.s.s through McKim's Hollow, but a compromise was effected by Jean agreeing to take a different road. It made the trip a trifle longer, but was free from dangers, and Jean set forth in high feather and bursting with importance.
Having seen her off, Constance flew to her room, and within half an hour emerged therefrom dressed all in soft brown. Little brown toque, with a modest brown quill stuck through the folds of the cloth. Brown kilted skirt and box coat, brown furs and brown gloves. She looked almost as sedate as a little Quakeress, although her cheeks were rosy from excitement and her eyes shone.
”Mother, I have a little matter to attend to in South Riveredge. You won't feel anxious if I am not back before dark will you?” she asked as she paused at her mother's door, on her way down-stairs.
Mrs. Carruth looked at her a moment before replying and wondered if the girl had any idea how attractive she was. Then she asked:
”Am I to refrain from making inquiries?”
”Please don't ask a single question, for even if I wanted to answer them I couldn't,” said Constance, as she kissed her mother good-bye.
Half an hour later she was at the Arcade in South Riveredge, asking the elevator man to direct her to the office of the superintendent of the building.
”Room 16, fourth floor,” directed the man. So to the fourth floor went Constance. Opening the door of No. 16, she entered, but stood for a second upon the threshold rather at a loss how to proceed. Seated at a large rolltop desk was a man wearing a brisk, wide-awake air which instantly reminded her of her father. Gaining confidence from that fact, so often are we swayed by trifles, she advanced into the room, saying: ”Good afternoon. Are you the superintendent of the building?”
”I am,” answered the gentleman, smiling pleasantly, and rising from his chair. ”What can I do for you, young lady?”
Now that she had actually come to the point of stating her errand, Constance hardly knew where to begin. The superintendent noticing her hesitancy said kindly: ”Won't you be seated? It is always easier to talk business when seated, don't you think so?” and placing a chair near his desk, he motioned her toward it.
Mr. Porter did not often have calls from such youthful business women, and was somewhat at a loss to understand the meaning of this one.
Constance was not aware that in placing the chair for her he had put it where the light from the window just back of him would fall full upon _her_ face.
Taking the chair she looked at him smiling half-doubtfully, and half-confidently as she said:
”Maybe you will think I am very silly and inexperienced, and I know I _am_, but I'd like to know whether you have any offices to rent in this building, and how much you charge for them?”
The big eyes looked very childish as they were turned upon him, and Mr. Porter could not help showing some surprise at the question. He had a daughter about this girl's age, and wondered how he would feel if she were in her place.
”Yes, we have one unoccupied office on the eighth floor, in the rear of the building. It is divided into two fair-sized rooms and the rental is four hundred dollars a year.”
Constance jumped. ”Four hundred a year! Why that is almost as much as we pay for our _whole_ house! My goodness, isn't that a lot? I had no idea they cost so much. Dear me, I'm afraid I can never, never do it,”
and her words ended with a doubtful shake of her head.
”Do you object to telling me just what you wish to do and why you need an office?” asked Mr. Porter kindly. ”Perhaps I could offer some suggestions. Sometimes our tenants like to rent desk room, and if you needed no more than a desk----why----.”
”But I couldn't use a desk for a counter, could I?” hesitated Constance.
”That depends upon what the counter had to hold. Suppose you tell me.
Then we will see.” The deep blue eyes behind the gla.s.ses regarded her very encouragingly.
Constance's eyebrows were raised doubtfully as she replied:
”I'm afraid you will think me very foolish and unsophisticated, and of course I am, but I just _know_ I can succeed if I once get started right. Besides I _won't_ give up unless I _have_ to. Other girls do things and there is no reason _I_ shouldn't. I know my candy is good, 'cause if it wasn't Mammy could not sell it so easily, and--”
”Candy? Are you planning to sell candy? If it's half as good as the candy an old colored woman sells around here you'll sell all you can make. I buy some of her every time she comes here, and my girls ask every day if she has been around with it. It's great candy.”