Volume IX Part 6 (1/2)
”So that we must try to do exactly what we think he would have liked us to do,” said George.
”Nothing else, dear?”
”Why, of course we are to have some discretion, some margin; and besides, n.o.body possibly could guess precisely what he would have us do.”
”But now, at any rate, George, we can realize fully one of our longing desires and give to the people the lovely park and library?”
George seemed thoughtful. ”I think, Mary Jane,” he said, ”I would not act precipitately about that. Let us reflect upon the matter. It might seem unkind to the memory of the General just to give away his gift almost before we get it.”
They looked at each other, and Mrs. Grimes said:
”Of course there is no hurry. And we are really a little cramped in this house. The nursery is much too small for the children and there is not a decent fruit tree in our garden.”
”The thing can just stay open until we have time to consider.”
”But I am so glad for dear old Isaac. We can take care of him, anyhow, and of Mrs. Clausen, too.”
”To be sure,” said George. ”The obligation is sacred. Let me see, how much was it we thought Isaac ought to have?”
”Twelve hundred a year.”
”H-m-m,” murmured George, ”and he has two hundred now; an increase of five hundred per cent. I'm afraid it will turn the old man's head.
However, I wouldn't exactly promise anything for a few days yet.”
”Many a man in his station in life is happy upon a thousand.”
”A thousand! Why, my dear, there is not a man of his cla.s.s in town that makes six hundred.”
”George?”
”Well?”
”We must keep horses, and there is no room to build a stable on this place.”
”No.”
”Could we live here and keep the horses in the General's stables across the way, even if the place were turned into a park?”
”That is worth thinking of.”
”And George?”
”Well, dear?”
”It's a horrid thing to confess, but do you know, George, I've felt myself getting meaner and meaner, and stingier and stingier ever since you brought the good news.”
George tried to smile, but the effort was unsuccessful; he looked half-vexed and half-ashamed.
”Oh, I wouldn't put it just that way,” he said. ”The news is so exciting that we hardly know at once how to adjust ourselves to it. We are simply prudent. It would be folly to plunge ahead without any caution at all.