Part 19 (1/2)

Before Mrs. Berry could answer--her embarra.s.sment and distress seemed to be bringing her again to the verge of tears--her daughter went on.

”It doesn't make a bit of difference what mother and I think about their--beauty--and all that,” she said. ”The whole thing comes down to the matter of whether or not we can afford to buy them. And we simply cannot. We haven't the money to spare. Spending seventy-five dollars for anything except the running expenses of the Harbor is now absolutely impossible. I told you that, Elvira, when you first suggested it.”

Miss Snowden, still trembling, regarded her resentfully. ”Yes, _you_ told me,” she retorted. ”I know you did. You are always telling us we can't do this or that. But why should _you_ tell us? That is what we can't understand. _You_ ain't--aren't--manager here, so far as we know.

We never heard of your appointment. _We_ always understood your mother was the manager, duly appointed. Isn't she?”

”Of course she is, but----”

”Yes, and when we have spoken to _her_--two or three of us at different times--she has said she thought buying these things was a lovely idea. I shouldn't be surprised if she thought so now.... Cordelia, don't you think the Fair Harbor ought to buy those statues and that fountain?”

This pointed appeal, of course, placed Mrs. Berry directly in the limelight and she wilted beneath its glare. She reddened and then paled.

Her fingers fidgetted with the pin at her throat. She picked up her handkerchief and dropped it. She looked at Elvira and the committee and then at her daughter.

”Why--why, I don't know,” she faltered. ”I think--of course I think the--the statuary is very beautiful. I--I said so. I--I am always fond of pretty things. You know I am, Elizabeth, you----”

”Wait a minute, Cordelia. Didn't you tell me you thought the Fair Harbor ought to buy them? Didn't you tell Suzanna and me just that?”

Mrs. Berry squirmed. She did not answer but, so far as Sears Kendrick was concerned, no answer was necessary. He was as certain as if she had sworn it that she had told them just that thing. And, looking at Elizabeth's face, he could see that she, too, was certain of it.

”Didn't you, Cordelia?” persisted Miss Snowden.

”Why--why, I don't know. Perhaps I did, but--but what difference does it make? You heard what Elizabeth said. She says we can't afford it. She always attends to such matters, you know she does.”

”Yes,” with sarcastic emphasis, ”we do, but we don't know _why_ she should. And in this case we aren't going to stand it. You are supposed to be managing this place, Cordelia Berry, and if you are willing to turn your duties over to a--a mere child we aren't willing to let you.

Once more I ask you----”

Elizabeth interrupted. ”There, there, Elvira,” she said, ”what _is_ the use? It isn't a question of mother's opinion or what she has said before. It is just a matter of money. We can't afford it.”

Miss Snowden ignored her. ”We shall not,” she repeated, ”permit our future and--and all like that to be ruined by the whims of a mere child.

_That_ is final.”

She p.r.o.nounced the last sentence with solemn emphasis. The pause which followed should have been impressive but Mrs. Tidditt spoiled the effect.

”Mere child!” she repeated, significantly. ”Well, I presume likely she _is_ a mere child compared to some folks. Only she just looks childish and they act that way.”

There was another outburst of indignant exclamations from the committee.

The head of that body turned to her followers.

”It is quite evident,” she declared, furiously, ”that this conference is going to end just as the others have. But this time we are not going to sit back and be trampled on. There are those higher up to be appealed to and we shall appeal to them. Come!”

She stalked majestically to the door and marched out and down the hall, the committee following her. Only Mrs. Tidditt remained, and she but for a moment.

”They're goin' to the back room to have another meetin',” she whispered.

”If there's anything up that amounts to anything, 'Lizabeth, I'll come back and let you know.”

Elizabeth did not answer, but Kendrick offered a suggestion. ”You don't belong to this committee,” he observed. ”Perhaps they won't let you into the meetin'.”

The eyes behind the steel spectacles snapped sparks. ”I'd like to see 'em try to keep me out,” declared Mrs. Esther, and hurried after the others. Elizabeth turned to her mother.