“Yes,” acquiesced Hester, “and if we do succeed it means working together, Julie dear, in a place of our own, and being with Dad. Just think what that would mean!”
“Everything!” assented her sister. “I believe you’ve hit upon a way—there always is a way, if one keeps looking!”
“One of the first things to ascertain,” said Dr. Ware, “is the cost of materials and the market price of such things as you suggest making.”
“Yes,” confessed Hester. It had never occurred to her in the whole course of her young life to consider the cost of anything.
From this the talk went on to other things relative to the change about to take place, and Dr. Ware remained several hours in earnest conversation with them. At the end of that time, when he rose to take his departure, there was, added to the affection already in his heart, a tremendous feeling of admiration and respect for these girls, whose spirits flashed undaunted; while they, on their part, were experiencing through him the depths of human kindness.
“We mean to be worthy of all you are doing for us,” said Julie, stopping a moment to steady her voice, “and we mean to make our fight as bravely as you and Daddy did years ago, when you tramped through the Wilderness together.”
The Doctor straightened his shoulders and made a military salute. “On to victory!” was all he said.
CHAPTER IV
“George Washington! G-e-o-r-g-e W-a-s-h-i-n-g-t-o-n!”
“Ma’am?”