"Miranda Pratt told me yesterday that she would go, but I don't suppose they can very well afford even to keep her," she added, looking at her husband.
"I'll see to that," said Mr. Van Alstine. "Clarke is one of the best hands we have."
"Well, really, father, I should think that was going a good way," said Gerty. "Do you pay nurses for all your hands?"
"When all my hands need nurses, it will be time to settle that question," replied Mr. Van Alstine, coolly. "Harry, I think James had better put Old Gray in the little wagon and take Miranda right over. Mother, can't you and Amity cook up something to send them?"
"I'm glad you feel so rich, I'm sure," remarked Gerty. "I thought the tannery was hardly paying expenses, from all I was told."
"The tannery will pay some expenses better than others, my girl," said Mr. Van Alstine, in the deep voice which always showed that his patience was waxing threadbare.
"Which means that it will pay any expenses better than mine," returned Gerty. "Oh, I am not going to say anything, Asahel. I hope I have learned to know my place by this time. I'm sure I am sorry, father, if I have said anything wrong."
"Fiddle-de-dee!" said Mr. Van Alstine. "Boys, don't you think you had better pick up some of your scientific trash and get it out of your mother's way?"
"And get washed and dressed in time for supper?" added their mother. "You all look a little too much like wild men of the woods, to sit down to a civilized table."
"What do you think of this plan of Marion's going to stay with Gerty?" asked Mrs. Van Alstine of her husband that night when they were alone.