Philip, it was decided, was to be the official treasurer. He would keep the books and have full charge of all receipts and disbursements.
“That,” Jimmy loftily explained to Marjorie, “means money coming in and money going out.” Marjorie sniffed. “Keep your definitions of such simple words to yourself.”
“Let’s be serious,” Phil said. “All hotels and inns have a rule that unless their guests deposit their valuables with them for safekeeping, the management is not responsible. Isn’t that right, Mr. Donahue?”
Mal nodded.
“Well then,” Phil went on, “I think we ought to keep our guests’ money and jewelry in the safe in the secret room. And in order to safeguard the secret, we ought to make it a rule that none of the guests is allowed in the secret room.”
“Right,” Jimmy agreed heartily. “If we let everyone run in and out of there it won’t be a secret very long. I vote that for the rest of the summer, only Pat is allowed to—”
“Phil and Pat,” Penny interrupted. “Phil has to go in and out to the safe because he’s the treasurer.”
“That’s right,” Pat agreed. “I’ll act as his substitute. Phil may not be available at times when we receive money which should be put right in the safe or when we need to take some out to pay bills. I’ll only go into the secret room during such emergencies.”
“Okay, thanks, Pat,” said Phil. “Then, as of now, it’s a rule that only you and I press the button that opens the secret door. Said rule to remain in effect until the end of the season.”
Everyone agreed, and then it was decided that Penny was to be the hostess and the housekeeper. Ann Mary was going to help make out the shopping lists, while Penny did the actual shopping. Marjorie was to be the assistant hostess as well as the secretary. Luckily she had learned how to use a typewriter and would really be a big help when it came to writing letters. Jimmy was the director of all sports, and even though that sounded like an easy job, Penny assured him it would be more than a full-time one.