“Don’t you fear. I am quite as independent as you, by nature. But I’ve found out something, Mother. There is as much kindness in accepting favors, sometimes, as in conferring them. Mr. Brook feels that he is responsible for our being here. He wishes to help us get started and everything running smoothly, and then I think he means to leave us to stand on our own feet. He has sent his man over every day to help me about the grounds, and Mr. Dolloway—oh! Mr. Dolloway!”
Bonny echoed her brother’s groan in so comical a manner that Robert demanded instantly: “What’s he done, Bon? Has he been a lickin’ you? ’Cause—”
“’Cause why, my lad?”
“’Cause he’d better not! I’ll lick him back if he ’tempts it! I studied that out coming along.”
“No; he doesn’t ‘lick’ me. It would be a relief if he did. He simply stands and prophesies evil till I am about distracted. Then I get mad and long to ‘sass’ him—but don’t. For a man who has lived with such a master as long as he has he is the grumpiest old chap you can imagine. He seems to be glad to have us here, thinks ‘it’s a fine thing to have the prop’ty let, after lyin’ idle so long, yet is sure it will go to wrack and ruin bein’ took care of by a passel o’ young ones an’ one lorn female.’ My goodness! Here he comes now. Speaking o’ angels, you know. And what has he brought this time—but—a cat!”
“Yes, I always feel a place never can look homelike without a cat around,” explained the visitor, when questioned by Beatrice, “so I fetched this one over. She’s a good mouser, an’ if you don’t feed her too much’ll do well. H’m-m. Hope you like the looks o’ things, ma’am,” said Mr. Dolloway, after he had been brought in and duly presented to Mrs. Beckwith and Belle. As for Robert, the child’s presence was utterly ignored; and finding this the case, he sauntered out of the room on a tour of private inspection, or for some reason of his own which he did not care to mention.
“I do like the looks of things very, very much. I am sure we shall be very happy here if only our plans for earning our livelihood do not miscarry. To-night I feel as rich as a queen in a new palace.”
“H’m-m. Just keep a feelin’ so, ma’am. Our folks are powerful glad you’ve come, an’ things’ll go. But I dunno how they would ’a’ gone if it hadn’t been for me looking after these childern you sent up here. They mean well, but— My soul! What in the world!”
The horrible sounds which had interrupted Mr. Dolloway’s discourse appeared to come from the rear of the house, and thither everybody rushed to learn their cause.
“Burglars!” thought Mrs. Beckwith, trembling.