"But how are you going to pay, Mickey? Most people only take children for a week——?"
"Yes I know," said Mickey. "But these folks haven't ever tried it before, and they don't know the ropes, so we're doing it our own way, and it works something grand."
"If they are suited——" said Douglas. "That place is far better than where we feel so comfortable."
"We started this morning," said Mickey. "The lady and I traded jobs; she sat on a hill under an apple tree and watched sunrise. I washed the dishes, sep'rated the cream, and scrubbed the porch for her. When Lily wakes up, the lady is going to bathe, rub, feed her, and see to her like she owned her, to pay me back. It's a bargain! You couldn't beat it, could you?"
"Of course if you want to turn yourself into a housemaid!" said Douglas irritably.
Mickey laughed, and Leslie sent a slightly frowning glance toward
Douglas.
"You can search me!" cried the boy, throwing out his hands in his familiar gesture. "Why I just love to! I always helped mother! Pay? I'll pay all right; the nice lady will say I do, and so will Peter. It's my most important job to make her glad of me as I am of her. And if you put it up to me, I'd a lot rather have my job than yours; and I bet I get more joy from it for my family!"
"Croaker!" laughed Bruce.
"'Tain't going to be a scream for the fellow who comes short," warned
Mickey.
"So you're planning not to allow me to do anything for Lily?" inquired
Miss Winton.