II
Grace’s announcement at home that she was to leave Shipley’s to become Miss Reynolds’s secretary greatly pleased her mother, who saw in the change a social advancement. It was much more in keeping with her idea of the Durland dignity for a daughter of the house to serve a lady of wealth as secretary than to be selling ready-made-clothing. And Mrs. Durland hoped Grace would appreciate the privilege of becoming identified with so praiseworthy a philanthropy.
Ethel, possibly jealous of Miss Reynolds’s growing interest in Grace, expressed at once her concern as to proper religious influences in the proposed club. She confessed to disappointment that Miss Reynolds had not manifested more interest in the girls’ club in Dr. Ridgely’s church. Miss Reynolds might very easily have given the church the benefit of the money she would spend on an independent work. It was not quite loyal, she thought, to the church and all it stood for; but she hoped the souls of the young women who lived in the club would be properly cared for and that Dr. Ridgely would be on the board; she favored strong boards to administer such institutions.
“There ain’t goin’ to be no board,” Grace answered cheerily, “of the kind you mean. The girls are going to run the place themselves.”
“Then it won’t last long. I have no faith in such things.”
“Better get some, Sis. Miss Reynolds knows what she’s about. She’s hoping others will follow her example and make a chain of such clubs.”
Grace learned from her father that there had been no developments in the motor since Kemp’s death; he didn’t know where he stood, but Trenton had been encouraging as to the outcome. The reorganization made necessary by the absorption of the Cummings concern was causing the delay, Durland thought.
“Trenton’s a busy man these days, but he’s spent several evenings with me at the shop. He’s a big man; he knows what he’s about and he’s been mighty fine to me.”
“I’m glad of that, daddy. I’m sure Mr. Trenton would tell you if he didn’t mean to go through with it.”
“I think you’re right, Grace. It’s a little hard waiting—and I’ve done a lot of waiting in my time.”
“You dear! We’ve got to believe the patient waiter gets the biggest tips—that’s our slogan!”
She tapped him lightly on the shoulder as she spoke, keeping time to her words. He didn’t know how his praise of Trenton had warmed her heart. The fact that he saw Trenton and no doubt would continue to meet him frequently gave her father a new interest in her eyes.
Grace saw Miss Reynolds every few days, and was finding relief and happiness in the prospect of her new work. Irene expressed the greatest satisfaction when Grace told her that she was leaving Shipley’s.
“It’s more in your line, Grace. And I certainly hand it to Little Old Ready-Money for having the sense to appreciate you. If she hadn’t been the real goods she’d have backed away when you told her about Ward. Some woman, I say! It does sort of cheer things up to know there are people like that in the world. By the way, have you seen John lately?”
“Not since Tommy died.”
“Well, there’s another of the saints!” said Irene. “He’s pretending now he doesn’t know we were on a wild party and that he saved our reputations. He won’t talk about it; not at all! So don’t try to thank him. Tommy’s estate is going through Sanders’s office and John’s no end busy. He’s getting acquainted with Ward—funny how things work out! But if John has any idea about you and Ward he never lets on. I thought you might like to know that.”
“Well, he’s probably done some thinking,” Grace replied soberly; “John isn’t stupid.”
“He’s my idea of a prince, if you ask me! He’s making a big hit with my family; mother thinks he’s the grandest young man who ever came up the pike. She’s got him carrying all his mending and darning out to her to do and he’s so nice to her I’m getting jealous!”