Part 7 (1/2)
”I'm sure I can't tell, dear.”
”I'm going to make some bread!”
”Oh, that's it, is it?” asked Jem; ”if I didn't guess as much when I saw you carryin' home that little red pan.”
”But if it's heavy,” said Meg dubiously, not referring to the pan, but to the bread, ”shall you ever trust me with your flour again?”
He only smiled at that, and said,
”But you used to make it at home, for I'm sure as you told me so once.”
”So I used, but not for a long time now; and you know there are a great many things that have to be right, or your bread won't be right.”
”Well,” said Jem, ”let's get 'em all right, and then we shan't have no mishaps.”
Meg laughed merrily.
”Jem, I must have some German yeast, and some nice good flour.”
”I'll buy those for you as I pa.s.s along to my work, and tell them to send 'em in.”
”But they'll have to come early,” said Meg, ”or it will not be a bit of use.”
Jem promised to see to that; and then Meg propounded the question which had been burning on her lips all yesterday, only she could not get courage to bring it out.
”Jem,” she began.
”Well, little woman?”
”Jem--should you very much mind if I were to earn something?”
Jem looked astonished, and then a cloud came over the brightness of his face. Did his little woman already begin to miss some of the things she had been accustomed to at the Hall?
”Why, dear?” he asked soberly.
”Because--at least--Jem--your mother said--if I helped her she should pay me!”
”And you did not like that?” asked Jem, looking relieved, but puzzled.
”I suppose I did not. I think I should like to help her for nothing--out of love to you, Jem, and by-and-by out of love to her.”
”Yes, dear, so should I; but I see what mother feels. If she has more work than she can do alone, she would have to pay some one else, and would a deal rather the money went into your pocket. She would not be right to earn money at your expense.”
”Not if we gave my time willingly?”
”No; but, Meg, you needn't do it unless you like it, my dear.”
”I thought you would be sure to tell me to help your mother all I can,”
said Meg, almost ready to cry.