Part 26 (1/2)
”Of course Gresham's burning down was most inopportune, as they would have been safely placed for another year there, but now that it is burned and not rebuilt yet----”
”We wouldn't go back there, anyhow, with that old Miss Plympton bossing things,” a.s.serted Dum.
”Now what I want to find is some way to have them go on studying and learning and still not be bored to death,” and Zebedee sat down.
”A Daniel come to judgment!” I whispered.
”Are you addressing the chair?” asked Father.
”No, I was just talking to myself.”
”Of course, I want to study art more than anything in the world!”
exclaimed Dum, bouncing on her feet and forcing an acknowledgment from the chair before Dee had time to get it. ”I can't see the use in burdening myself with Latin and math when I am nearly dead to model things.”
”Well, you haven't overburdened yourself with knowledge yet, I am glad to say,” teased her father.
”Are you addressing the chair?” asked our president sternly. ”If not, pray do so.”
”Well, Mr. President, I want to study physiology and anatomy,” said Dee.
”And for the life of me I can't see what good ancient history and French would do me.”
”And I want to be a writer, and it seems to me the best way to be one is--just to be one,” I remarked.
”Exactly!” smiled Father.
”And now we want to talk over what is the best way for these girls to get what they want and still not be idle,” said Mr. Tucker. ”I should like to hear what our honored president has to say.”
”Well, friends, this has kind of been sprung on me. I have been living in a kind of fool's paradise, thinking that maybe our girls knew enough to stop; but I see that I was wrong. Girls never know enough to stop.
I'll let my third do whatever you let your two-thirds do, if it isn't too wild.”
”But, Father, I am going to stay right here at Bracken with you! You know you need me.”
”Of course I need you, but you don't think I need you any more than Tucker needs his daughters. You will settle down soon enough and now is the time to gather material for writing. Things make an impression on you now that wouldn't when you are older. One can put off writing longer than getting experience,” and Father drew me down on the arm of his chair.
”Where do you think these monkeys should go to get these varied industries they are longing for, Tucker?”
”New York, I should say.”
CHAPTER XIX
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
NEW YORK! The very sound of the name thrilled me. It was all I could do to keep from following the twins in their demonstration of joy and grat.i.tude lavished on their father. I contented myself, however, by rumpling up my father's hair.
”When?” gasped Father, when I had finished with him.
”Immediately if not sooner!” said Zebedee, coming out unscathed from the embraces of his girls. ”I have been thinking a lot about it and I really believe it would be the best thing for them. They can in a way find themselves, and they don't get in any more sc.r.a.pes without us than they do with us.”