"Why, when he came into the office ready to escort Mrs. Tellingham to the ball, Mrs. T. criticised his tie. 'Do go back, Doctor, and put on a black tie,' she said. You know, he's the best natured old dear in the world," Jennie pursued, "and he went right back into his bedroom to make the change. They waited, and they waited, and then they waited some more," chuckled Jennie. "The doctor did not reappear. So Mrs. Tellingham finally went to his bedroom and opened the door. She saw that the old doctor, having removed the tie she didn't like, had continued the process of undressing, and just as Mrs. Tellingham looked in, he climbed placidly into bed."
"I can believe that," said Ann Hicks, when the laughter had subsided.
"And I can believe that both he and Mrs. Tellingham are just as worried about the destruction of the dormitory as they can be," Nettie added. "All their money is invested in the school, is it not?"
"Except that invested in the doctor's useless histories," said Mercy, who was inclined to be most unmerciful of speech on occasion.
"Is there nobody to help them rebuild?" asked Ann, tentatively.
"Not a soul," declared Ruth.
"I believe I'll write to Uncle Bill Hicks. He'll help, I know," said Ann. "Next to Heavy's Aunt Kate, Uncle Bill thinks that the finest woman on this footstool is Mrs. Tellingham."
"And I'll ask papa for some money," Nettie said quickly. "I had that in mind from the first."
"My father will give some," Helen said.
"We'll write to Madge Steele," said Belle. "Her father might help, too."