“Not so terrible in our case, because I’m sure of a steadily increasing salary; and I propose we do not increase our expenses for some years to come.”
“Oh, no indeed! Whatever the increase, it must be saved so long as we have health.”
“Well, I find by living in the country that drain of small expenses is avoided; and I actually have $12 in hand.”
“Oh, I am so thankful, but”—anxiously—“you have not been going without lunch?”
“By no means; but I find fruit or a sandwich and glass of milk makes me as good a lunch as I want, and averages ten cents a day.”
Harry’s commutation ticket was $6 a month, $3 only of which had to come from the margin of $20. (It will be remembered that the amount they allowed for their rent, servants, and table was $77. The $3 saved from their old boarding-house expense of $80 partly paid the commutation ticket.) Harry had therefore limited his personal expenses to $5 for lunch and newspapers, tobacco, etc. Molly was very proud each time she remembered how freely he had spent money before their marriage, and how cheerfully he had resigned the cigars and expensive luxuries that were almost second nature, for her sake. How could she grudge any pains that should make his house a little like the one he had been accustomed to? They had both decided to be very economical in dress; and it is astonishing how very little will keep up a wardrobe once well supplied, provided one does not easily tire of the same garments. Altogether Molly thought the outlook was bright enough; and, after thus summing up, they spent a long, happy evening laying plans.
“Oh, what is your conclusion about our light-handed Phyllis; will you keep her?”
“Oh yes; she certainly is rather exasperating sometimes, and I have thought it over seriously whether I should take the trouble to go on with her or change; but she has some very good qualities; she is very clean, and very saving, and really about cooking very intelligent. Outside of the kitchen I can’t say much for her; but another might be stupid there, too, so I think I’ll bear the ills I know.”
Marta’s wages were but $10; but Molly had found it absolutely necessary to hire a woman for two days, that Marta might see how washing and ironing was to be accomplished in this country, which Molly herself knew little about. She knew what the result should be, but how to attain it she did not know. When the woman came, she was careful to profit, herself. She watched the process, and asked the woman a dozen questions.
“It seems to me that Marta rubs enough and works hard enough, but nothing looks just right,” she had said, as she watched the apparently easy movements of Mrs. Hall, who was considered an excellent laundress.