“Do a little shopping, eh? That’s what most young ladies delay for, I believe.”
“But I’m neither a young lady nor have I any shopping to do. I couldn’t have because I haven’t any money, you see, even if I knew how to shop.”
“Why?” demanded “Forty-niner,” impatiently. “No money? I don’t believe all ours is gone yet.”
“Why, I forgot that. I really did. And I would love, if Mr. Sharp thinks it would be all right to use it when there is all this hospital board for both of us to pay, to take a tiny bit of a present to–to––”
“Everybody you ever knew, I’ll be bound!” cried Ninian.
“I–believe I would. But of course I can’t. So I’d best treat all alike and take nothing but our glorious goods news.”
“I’m going to take that myself, part of the way. At the finish I’ll let you carry the heavy burden and deliver it yourself into your mother’s hands. Now, come sit down a minute. Ephraim, put on your own thinking cap, and if she forgets anybody you let me know. We are going to take something to everybody, just as you’d like. Now, begin. The mother–but she’s settled, already. For her I’ve made a finished picture from a sketch I have, of a little yellow-haired girl asleep upon a piebald burro’s shoulder. Ned? A train of cars. Luis, ditto. Samson–what for Samson?”
“Would it cost too much to take them each, all the ‘boys’ the same thing, and that would be a bright red necktie?”
“Cost not a bit too much and be a deal easier than thinking of separate things for so many. Next? Aunt Sally?”
“Oh! she’s no trouble. A few bits of new calico ‘print’ for her patchwork would make her very happy.”