Part 5 (1/2)
”No, father. And then there was another time--and oh, yes, many other times. But I did not know mother was just trying to teach me, when she seemed so kind and sympathizing, and used to say in that voice of hers--you remember mother's cheerful voice, father?--'Well, Polly, it is a difficult thing, but do your best.'”
”All right, child,” said the Doctor, ”I perceive that your mother's plan was a wise one. Tell me quickly what ideas you have with regard to keeping this establishment together, for it is almost time for me to run away to Mrs. Judson. I allow eight pounds a week for all household expenses, servants' wages, coal, light, food, medicine. I shall not allow you to begin with so much responsibility, but for a week you may provide our table.”
”And see after the servants, please, father?” interrupted Polly, in an eager voice.
”Well, I suppose so, just for one week, that is, after Helen has had her turn. Your mother always managed, with the help of the vegetables and fruit from the garden, to bring the mere table expenses into four pounds a week; but _she_ was a most excellent manager.”
”Oh, father, I can easily do it too. Why it's a lot of money! four pounds--eighty s.h.i.+llings! I shouldn't be a bit surprised if I did it for less.”
”Remember, Polly, I allow no stinting; we must have a plentiful table.
No stinting, and no running in debt. Those are the absolute conditions, otherwise I do not trust you with a penny.”
”I'll keep them, father--never fear! Oh, how delighted I am! I know you'll be pleased; I know what you'll say by-and-by. I'm certain I won't fail, certain. I always loved cooking and housekeeping. Fancy making pie-crust myself, and cakes, and custards! Mrs. Power is rather cross, but she'll have to let me make what things I choose when I'm housekeeper, won't she, father?”
”Manage it your own way, dear, I neither interfere nor wish to interfere. Oh, what a mess we shall be in! But thank heaven it is only for a week. My dear child, I allow you to have your way, but I own it is with trepidation. Now I must really go to Mrs. Judson.”
”But one moment, please, father. I have not shown you my plan. You think badly of me now, but you won't, indeed you won't presently. I am all system, I a.s.sure you. I see my way so clearly. I'll retrench without being mean, and I'll economize without being stingy. Don't I use fine words, father? That's because I understand the subject so thoroughly.”
”Quite so, Polly. Now I must be going. Good-night, my dear.”
”But my plan--you must stay to hear it. Do you see this box? It has little divisions. I popped them all in before dinner to-day. There is a lock and key to the box, and the lock is a strong one.”
”Well, Polly?”
The Doctor began to get into his overcoat.
”Look, father, dear, please look. Each little division is marked with a name. This one is Groceries, this one is Butcher, this is Milk, b.u.t.ter, and eggs, this is Baker, this is Cheesemonger, and this is Sundries--oh yes, and laundress, I must screw in a division for laundress somehow.
Now, father, this is my delightful plan. When you give me my four pounds--my eighty s.h.i.+llings--I'll get it all changed into silver, and I'll divide it into equal portions, and drop so much into the grocery department, so much into the butcher's, so much into the baker's. Don't you see how simple it will be?”
”Very, my dear--the game of chess is nothing to it. Good-night, Polly. I sincerely hope no serious results will accrue from these efforts on my part to teach you experience.”
The Doctor walked quickly down the avenue.
”I'm quite resolved,” he said to himself, ”to bring them all up as much as possible on their mother's plan, but if Polly requires many such lessons as I am forced to give her to-night, there is nothing for it but to send her to school. For really such an experience as we are about to go through at her hands is enough to endanger health, to say nothing of peace and domestic quiet. The fact is, I really am a much worried man.
It's no joke bringing up seven motherless girls, each of them with characters; the boys are a simple matter--they have school before them, and a career of some sort, but the girls--it really is an awful responsibility. Even the baby has a strong individuality of her own--I see it already in her brown eyes--bless her, she has got her mother's eyes. But my queer, wild, clever Polly--what a week we shall have with you presently! Now, who is that crying and sobbing in the dark?”
The Doctor swooped suddenly down on a shadowy object, which lay p.r.o.ne under an arbutus shrub. ”My dear little Firefly, what _is_ the matter?
You ought to be in bed ages ago--out here in the damp and cold, and such deep-drawn sobs! What has nurse been about? This is really extremely careless.”
”It wasn't nurse's fault,” sobbed Firefly, nestling her head into her father's cheek. ”I ran away from her. I hided from her on purpose.”
”Then you were the naughty one. What is the matter, dear? Why do you make things worse for me and for us all just now?”
Firefly's head sank still lower. Her hot little cheek pressed her father's with an acute longing for sympathy. Instinct told him of the child's need. He walked down the avenue, holding her closely.
”Wasn't you going the other way, father?” asked Firefly, squeezing her arms tight around his neck.
”No matter, I must see you home first. Now what were those sobs about?