“Then that’s settled,” said the older woman. “I do hope you dispose of everything as quickly.”
“We will!” returned Alice. “Just watch us!”
“Well, I have jotted down the things to be considered, and I thought we might give one responsibility to each girl—and vote her so much money. The biggest job of course is furnishing—and dishes; then there is decoration—menus, and sign, and so forth; then hiring a cook and getting the gas and electricity turned on; then advertising; and finally, buying the food and supplies. Can anybody think of anything else?”
“I certainly think you have covered everything,” said Marjorie, admiringly. “Now—do you think five hundred dollars will be enough?”
Mrs. Hadley did not answer immediately, and the girls waited nervously for her opinion.
“It will have to be,” she said. “In fact, four hundred will have to be enough, because you ought to keep a hundred in bank, to run on.”
“But everything is so dreadfully expensive!” Florence reminded them again.
“How many rooms do you plan to furnish?” asked Mrs. Hadley.
“The porch and dining-room with tables and chairs, and the rest-room with wicker furniture and grass rugs,” said Marjorie.
“And that,” observed Ethel, “could use up the four hundred alone!”