The house at Camp’s Gulch was to be taken in Nell’s name, as her two hundred dollars was their sole available capital. The live stock and farming implements, with all the crops at Lorimer’s Clearing, were taken at a valuation by the tenant; but that money was safely lodged in the bank until Mrs. Lorimer should be well enough to decide how she would like to have it used.
Then the household furniture was packed; and, leaving Mrs. Lorimer, the two little boys, and Flossie at the house of a neighbour, Nell, Gertrude, and Patsey went off to Camp’s Gulch to get the new home ready.
It was the parting from their old associations which brought such gloom to the faces of Gertrude and Patsey on the morning when they turned their backs on Lorimer’s Clearing. But Nell was blithe-hearted as a bird, because at last she had attained to a family and a home of her own, only for the sake of the others her aspect was sedate, giving no hint of the gladness within.
CHAPTER XXV
The Humours of Trading
NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame. In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch. They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
“The next two hours are the busy time; I’ve been nearly run off my feet every evening. Sam comes along to help when the last cars are gone; but by that time the rush is nearly over,” Mrs. Peters said, as she stirred the great dish of stew that was being kept hot on a kerosene heater in the window.
“But what made you begin it?” asked Nell, slipping off her hat and coat and appearing quite at home already, even though “home” as yet had not a stick of furniture in it, saving a rough table with a few borrowed cooking utensils in the kitchen, which was also shop during the hours of buying and selling.