“Oh, no!” objected Marjorie. “Surely not! We’ll shop around.”
“A good shingle is expensive, too,” observed Mrs. Hadley. “At least, if it is painted to order.”
“I think I could do that!” offered Marie Louise, shyly. “Provided one of the boys would cut out the wood for me.”
“John will,” said Marjorie. “He loves to do work like that.”
“And you could paint the menu cards, too, couldn’t you?” asked Ethel. “It’s wonderful to have an artist in the crowd, isn’t it?”
They talked for awhile longer, apportioning the duties and the money, but deciding to do nothing about making purchases until Monday morning; for, as Mrs. Hadley reminded them, Saturday was an unsatisfactory day to shop. She herself promised to interview a cook—a girl named Anna Benton—that afternoon; for she wanted to secure her immediately before someone else captured her. And, as she assured them, this girl was just the person they wanted.
They found plenty to do over the week-end, and enjoyed some delightful rides in both Lily’s and John’s machines, but Marjorie was glad when Monday morning came, that she might go into her work in earnest. She and Ethel had been delegated to purchase the furniture, and for this purpose had been assigned the sum of two hundred dollars. It seemed like a fortune to Marjorie.
“It would be nice if we didn’t have to use it all,” remarked Marjorie, as they entered one of the large department stores; “so that we could save some for flowers. I love to see them in a tea-room.”
“Yes, so do I,” agreed Ethel. “And the boys promised to take care of the garden if we get it started.”
“What’s the idea for the tea-room furniture?” asked Marjorie.