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Page 69
The girls were glad to accept this invitation, for they had walked
nearly three miles in all, with their heavy baskets; and much of
the time with heavy hearts, which are a great hindrance to
pedestrians.
So old Uncle Bill, as he instructed the children to call him,
harnessed a pair of horses and drove the three young business
women back to their respective homes.
"Well, Marjorie Maynard, where HAVE you been?" exclaimed Grandma,
as Midge made her appearance.
And, then, without further delay, Marjorie told the whole story.
Uncle Steve lay back in his chair and roared with laughter, but
Grandma Sherwood was not entirely amused.
"What WILL you do next, Marjorie?" she cried. "Didn't you know,
child, that it is not becoming for a Maynard to go around the
streets peddling things?"
"Why not, Grandma?" asked Marjorie, to whom it had never occurred
there could be any objection to the occupation. Her only doubt had
been as to the price they ought to ask for their goods.
"I'm not sure that I can make you understand," said Grandma, "and
it isn't really necessary that you should, at present. But never
again must you go out selling things to strangers."
"But we sold things for the Dunns at the bazaar," argued Marjorie.
"You can't understand the difference, my dear, so don't try. Just
obey Grandma and don't ever undertake such a big enterprise as
that without asking me beforehand. Why, I'm ASHAMED that you
should have gone to the Clarkes' and the Fosters' and the Eliots'
on such an errand! Really, Marjorie, you ought to have known
better."
"But, Grandma, I thought you would be pleased, and it would make
you a happy surprise."
"I am surprised, but not at all pleased. However, Mopsy, it wasn't
wilful wrong on your part; it was only one of those absurd
mistakes that you seem to be continually making."
"You showed a pretty good business instinct, Midget," said her
uncle; "if you were a boy I'd expect you to grow up to be one of
the Kings of Finance. But, after this, when you're inclined to
start a large business enterprise, invite me to go in with you as
partner."
"I will, Uncle Steve; but, anyway, we have ten dollars and
seventy-five cents from our extract, and I don't think that's so
bad."
"Indeed, it isn't," said Uncle Steve, his eyes twinkling; "whoever
can get money for charity out of old Bill Wallingford is, indeed,
pretty clever! I think, Grandma, that since Midge has earned this
herself, she and the other girls ought to have the pleasure of
spending it for the Dunns, in any way they choose."
Grandma agreed with Uncle Steve in this matter, and the result was
that the next day he took the three girls to town to spend their
hard-earned money.
It was always fun to go anywhere with Uncle Steve, and this
occasion was a particularly joyful one, for it combined the
elements of a charitable excursion and a holiday beside.
They drove first to a large shop, where they bought some clothes
for the Dunns.
The girls thought that a few pretty garments, as well as useful
ones, would be the nicest way to use their money. So they bought
pretty straw hats and cambric dresses for the children, and a blue
worsted shawl for Mrs. Dunn, and a little white cap for the baby.
"I don't suppose these things are so awful necessary," Midget
confided to Uncle Steve, "but it will be such fun to see how glad
they'll be to get them." Molly, who was more practical, advised
some aprons and shoes and stockings, while Stella's preference was
for toys.
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