She began by taking off her hat and jacket and tying around her ample waist an old curtain that had been used in packing some of Josie’s treasures.
Elizabeth was aghast for a moment. It looked as though her mother could not even let her run the little shop without her assistance. Where would be her highly prized independence if Mrs. Wright was to superintend everything and even do the cleaning? Why couldn’t she let her alone? She looked appealingly at her sisters, who were reluctantly taking their departure. She caught Margaret’s eye. Margaret was the sister who was a little like Elizabeth in that she occasionally rebelled, at least in spirit, against the state of inertia in which the very managing mother held her entire family. Margaret was quick of tongue too and not in the least in awe of her efficient parent.
“Now, Mother!” she cried, coming to Elizabeth’s assistance. “I should think you could see with half an eye that you are not in the least needed here. For pity’s sake, let Elizabeth have half a chance and stop butting in.”
“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Wright severely.
“I mean the girls were getting on perfectly well here without your assistance and you have a sempstress at home and the library was in a sad state when we left and company is coming to supper—and—-”
“Heavens! I forgot all about that! But this seems more important. I—”
“Oh, come along, Mother!” insisted Margaret.
Mary Louise and Josie had retired to the back of the long room. They were intensely sorry for Elizabeth, but felt that it was something they could not very well interfere with. If her mother chose to come down to the shop to make a nuisance of herself, it could not be helped. After all she was Elizabeth’s mother and must be treated with respect. It was with a feeling of intense relief that they saw her untie the old curtain and don her hat and coat.
“I cannot stay to-day,” she said as the two girls came towards her. “I am extremely sorry, as I am sure I could have straightened you out in short order. You will never manage to get all of this trash cleared away, I am sure, unless you, Miss O’Gorman, are much more capable than Elizabeth.”
“I am not a bit more, but I am sure we can do it,” declared Josie with a twinkle in her eye.