Part 22 (2/2)
houses to do her coaching. That gives her a good bit of exercise three afternoons each week, and she has _all_ her Sat.u.r.days free. I shall give little more than two hours a day to my candy making, and I know you and Jean will gladly help me do the packing and tying up. Just how I shall send it over, I haven't decided yet; that can be settled later when I send a ton or so each day,” laughed Constance. ”Meanwhile Mammy will take it over, or _I_ can. Only _please_ don't dampen my enthusiasm or worry because I am undertaking this step. I am perfectly well and strong, and I'll promise not to do anything to endanger that health and strength. So smile upon my venture, Mumsey, dear, and make up your mind that it _is_ going to be a _great_ success,--because it _is_,” ended Constance, with a rapturous hug.
”You are my brave, sweet girl!” said Mrs. Carruth, very tenderly.
”Yes, I'll put my Blairsdale pride in my pocket--or rather my hand-bag, since pockets are no longer in fas.h.i.+on, and try to be a full-fledged, twentieth-century woman. Now what is the first step?”
”The first step is to make my candies before I try to sell 'em. No, the first is to order the stuff sent home to make them of. I'll 'phone right down to Van Dorn's this minute. I've plenty on hand for this afternoon's candy, but I'll lay in a big supply ahead.”
The 'phoning was soon done, and then Constance hurried to the kitchen where for the two ensuing hours she worked like a beaver. At the end of that time several pounds of tempting sweets were made and ready to be wrapped in paraffin paper. When this was done all was packed carefully into tin boxes to await the arrival of the paper ones.
Constance surveyed the candy with much satisfaction, as indeed she well might, for no daintier sweets could have been found. Turning to the others she cried:
”I feel as self-satisfied and self-righteous as though I'd just put a new skirt braid on my skirt, and I don't know of anything that makes one feel more so. If I can make five pounds a day for six days I'd have a pretty good supply on hand for Sat.u.r.day, my 'opening day.' My, doesn't that sound business-like? Nornie, don't you wish _you'd_ taken to a commercial rather than a professional life? Come on Jean, the others will die of envy when they see our candy booth spread and spread until it swallows up all the office s.p.a.ce in the Arcade,” and catching up the saucepan in which she had made her candy, Constance began to beat a lively tattoo upon the bottom of it, as an accompaniment to her whistling, as, still enveloped in her big ap.r.o.n, she pranced about the kitchen. Jean, also in gingham array, promptly joining in, for Jean's resentment had vanished since she had been taken into the girls' confidence and ”entered the partners.h.i.+p” as she called it.
In a day or two another message came over the 'phone to Constance, asking her to call at the Arcade, the following afternoon.
Upon reaching there at three o'clock, she was met by Mr. Porter, who had been on the lookout for her.
”Glad you've come, little girl! Glad to see you,” he said heartily.
”Come and look at your cubby and tell me what you think of it. _I_ think it great.” While he talked Mr. Porter led the way to the rear of the Arcade. As they drew near the stairway, Miss Willing glanced up, gave an indifferent nod in answer to Constance's ”How do you do, Miss Willing?” and turned to her 'phone. Miss Willing much preferred being the center of attraction beneath the stairs, and was not enthusiastic over the thought of sharing her corner with ”one of them big-bugs, as they think themselves.” Could she have known it, this girl, whom she was so stigmatizing, felt herself a very tiny bug indeed in the world in which Miss Willing dwelt, and secretly stood in considerable awe of the young lady who could look with so much self-a.s.surance into the eyes of the patrons of her 'phone booth, and smile and joke with old and young men alike. There were always several around the booth.
Constance wondered why they seemed to have to wait so long to have their calls answered. Her own 'phone calls at home were answered so promptly. However, while these sub-conscious thoughts pa.s.sed through her brain, the more wide-awake portion of it was taking in the changed appearance of her cubby's corner.
Mr. Porter had lost no time and spared no trouble, and the Arcade's carpenter to whom he had given instructions to ”do that job in shape and mighty quick,” had followed those instructions to a dot. There was the cubby, the wood all carefully painted in white enamel, the portable shelves made of sheets of heavy gla.s.s. A high railing and gate shut off one end, giving ingress to the proprietor, and privacy if she wished at any time to stay at her counter for awhile. On the lower shelf of the counter stood a little cash box divided into two sections: One for bills the other for silver. Just above it was a small white sign upon which was plainly painted in dark blue letters:
”Constance B.'s Candies.”
Take what you wish.
Leave cost of goods taken.
Make your change from my cash box.
Respecting my patrons' integrity, Constance B. C.
Kindly close the door.
Constance clasped her hands and gave a little cry of delight. All her ideas were so perfectly carried out.
”Oh, Mr. Porter, it is perfectly fascinating! How good you are! How am I ever going to pay for it though? I had no idea you were going to so much trouble and expense.”
”But you don't _have_ to pay for it. Every office has to be fitted up for its tenant's needs you know, or he wouldn't rent it. So I had to have your cubby fitted up for yours. Now you can stock up as soon as you're a mind to. And, by-the-way, those boxes will be along to-morrow morning. I told them they must hustle, and they have. Are your photos ready to paste on 'em?”
”Yes, they came home last evening; at least six dozen of them did, and the rest will come next week. I'll send them to the box manufacturers for the next lot and they can be put right on there. It will save our time.”
”Good! Twelve dozen boxes will be delivered this time, and the rest will be along pretty soon. Send your photos to them as quickly as you can. I'm glad you like your cubby.”
”Like it! Why I'd be the most ungrateful girl that ever lived if I didn't like it. It's just simply _splendid_! But a whole year's rent won't pay you back I'm afraid.”
”Don't care whether it does or not. Mean to make you sign a _five_ years' lease next time. When will you stock up?”
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