Marjorie was first to understand and respond.
“Of course we can,” she cried, “can’t we, girls? It would be the jolliest sort of a lark, and a ‘helping hand’ besides.”
“We could,” said Betty, “but—”
“But me no buts,” cried Hester. “We can and we will!”
“Vote!” exclaimed Marjorie. “Shall we or sha’n’t we? All in favor, aye!”
“Aye!” yelled the eight; and so quickly was it all done that Mrs. Lennox still wore a look of frightened bewilderment when Marjorie began:
“My dear Mrs. Lennox, you want accomplished and experienced servants to permit you to entertain your friends properly. We claim to be such, and we offer you our services with the greatest pleasure, the only condition being that you take the whole eight.”
CHAPTER XIV
WILLING SERVICE
AT this unexpected solution of her great problem Mrs. Lennox recovered herself quickly, and exclaimed: