Dr. Selden picked up his paper again, but laid it down to say: “What do you think Joanne proposes to do?”
“I’m sure I don’t know; something absurd, I suppose.”
“First she proposed to make me a garment. I suggested a coat, but it came down at last to a sweater, and I firmly believe she will make it. Then she has a suddenly acquired passion for learning to spell and write well, and has been practising on a copy I set her. Where is it?” He picked up the paper Joanne had left on the table. “There, shows improvement already. Get that child headed the right way and there’s no telling where she will bring up. We are mighty fortunate in having sent her to the right school.”
“I hope it may prove so in the end,” said Mrs. Selden. “I have not been altogether pleased with some things Joanne has reported.”
“What, for example?”
“Oh, this laundry work idea and the cooking, for one thing.”
“Don’t you worry over that. The day may come when you will be thankful she has those accomplishments.”
“Oh, Gregory, how you talk. Those are not accomplishments.”
“No, not in the same category as painting on satin and playing the Maiden’s Prayer, I admit,” then feeling that he had made himself disagreeable he changed the subject.
The quest for eggs was made speedily and successfully. There was but one halt on the way and that was when Joanne suddenly said: “Oh, Cousin Ned, do you mind stopping at that candy store we’re coming to? I want to get an egg.”