"Very well, and I will go home and pack a few things for you. I think I would just take a hand-bag now, and later you will know exactly what you will need. There is not much closet space in the apartment. And of course Frank and I will hope to see you occasionally. But we will understand if you don't come home often, because you will be working pretty hard to earn your living, even with such a good start. It is lucky that you can get this lovely place to live in rent free. Later I suppose you will not care what you have to pay, but now it will be a help. And you will find that groceries are pretty high."
Mrs. Brewster nodded a gay good-bye as the car approached, and left Mabel walking down Third Street on her way to the Times-Leader. A few blocks on her way she overtook Jane and Estella arm in arm as usual. Mabel gave her braid a flirt and unconsciously puffed out her chest.
"Where away, Mabel?" chirruped little Estella, twinkling. In a rush of words Mabel told her tale while the girls listened in speechless amazement.
"You don't mean to say that you have really left home?" demanded Estella. There was no chirp in her voice now, no twinkle in her face. She looked absolutely shocked.
"I leave tonight," said Mabel, "soon as I settle my salary with Miss Gere. I am wild to be free! It is going to be wonderful, perfectly wonderful! I expect to write something grand. Just think, no one to disturb me; no housework, no practicing! Oh, how my mind will soar!"
"Are you going to keep a maid?" asked Jane feebly. "You said no housework."
"Well, it won't be like the housework at home," declared Mabel. "That is the dustiest old place! It won't take me a minute to put everything in order at my apartment."
"But your mother!" almost wailed Estella. "How can you leave your mother? I can't bear to leave mine for all day even."
"Mothers are different," said Mabel sadly. "Mamma is sweet, of course, but she does not understand me. We are better apart; I feel it."
"Well, of all things!" said Jane slowly. "I am glad my soul doesn't have to have things done for it. I don't remember much of the time that I have one, and you couldn't hire me to leave home."