“That’s the talk!” said Carey joyfully. “Now you’re shouting! You put some heart in a fella. Gee, I’m glad you’re home. It’s been awful without mother. It was bad enough the last few months when she was sick, but it was some dump when she went away entirely.”
“Yes, I know,” said the sister sympathetically, reflecting that it would be wiser not to suggest that he might have helped to make the mother sick by his careless life. “Well, we must get things fixed up nice and pleasant for her when she gets back, and try to keep her well and happy the rest of her life.”
“That’s right!” said Carey with a sudden deep note in his voice that came from the heart, and gave Cornelia a bit of encouragement.
“I think I could clean that suit up a little for you, and make it look better——”
Carey looked down at himself doubtfully.
“It’s pretty bad,” he said; “and it costs a lot to have it cleaned and pressed. I tried last week to do something, but we couldn’t find the irons.”
“I found them yesterday,” said Cornelia brightly. “We’ll see what we can do this evening if you can be at home.”
“Oh, this evening!” said Carey doubtfully.
“Yes, we can’t spare the time till then, because this house has got to be put in order.” She gave him a swift, anxious glance and a winning smile. “If you have another engagement, break it for once. There’s so much to be done, dear, and we do need you terribly. Tell that Brand friend of yours that you’re busy for a few days, and you’ll make it up by inviting him to a fudge party when we get settled.”
“Oh! Gee! Could we?” said Carey half doubtful, half pleased. “Well, all right! I’ll do my best. Now, what do you want done with this old junk?”