"Then I started to run, and nearly knocked somebody down, who turned out to be Papa's man of business, Mr. Andrews. I spoke to him about Brading's offer, and he thought I could not do better than take such a chance."
Molly repeated Arthur's story as nearly as she could, word for word. "Annie," she added, "I am telling you just what Arthur said, and of course he will take the advice of a man like Andrews; but still, I know he would be glad if you said to him, 'I am willing that you should try what you can do for us'."
"It is Mamma who should say this," said Annie with a groan.
"But she won't, you know she won't. She will fret herself ill, and tell us it is our duty to maintain the family honour, regardless of what our likes and dislikes may be. The cats come first, I do believe now, and then the family honour. Arthur says he doesn't think there is much of it left to take care of."
"Oh, Molly, why do you let him talk to you like that?" said Annie reproachfully. "He is only an ignorant boy, and quite ready to do or say anything that is mischievous. You ought not to encourage him to talk in that fashion, but tell him to remember that he is a Murray, and therefore bound to take care of the family honour at all costs."
Molly did not answer, for her sister spoke very severely; but she was glad to see Arthur seated at the breakfast-table when she went downstairs, for she always waited upon her mother before she went to her own breakfast. She was relieved to find that Annie was not looking quite so stern as when she first got up.
Arthur nodded and winked as Molly drew up her chair to the table, and Annie, as she handed her a cup of coffee, said in a quiet tone: "Arthur is not going to school this morning, he is going to see Mr. Brading at ten o'clock."
It was Annie's way of doing most things, and the others knew it. It was not a very gracious way, perhaps, but Arthur was glad even of this grudging consent, for Mr. Brading had insisted that he should consult his friends before giving an answer about the proffered situation.
Arthur went off in good spirits, and Molly began to wonder what she could do to make a little festival when he came home. At last she thought she would ask Hannah to make an apple-pudding for dinner, for Arthur was very fond of apple-pudding, and would be sure to appreciate this little attention to his taste.
But when she went to the kitchen to prefer her request, she was told that it was quite impossible for her to have what she wanted.