CHAPTER 23. — AUSTIN AND AMY
“How would my birds like to find a new nest?” asked Austin one morning not long after he had received his first month’s pay. “We shall be only too glad to get out of this little place into a whole house,” answered both the girls at once. “May we hunt one to suit ourselves?”
“You may, only remembering that we dare not go very high in rent, for the house has to be furnished also, and we have our winter clothes to buy,” cautioned Austin. A house was found on a shady street, and was engaged at once. Before the week was out they were safely settled in their new quarters, and with a few more articles of furniture than had been possible at first. Mrs. Bailey had given them a few things to add to the homelikeness of their living-rooms, and they were quite comfortably settled, and getting along as happily as could be asked for. “I am going to quit school and get me a job,” announced Amy with decision one morning before cold weather had set in. “Winter is coming and I have nothing decent to wear. I am ashamed to go out, and I am tired of the sneers of the girls at school.”
“No, Amy, do not do that. I will give you money for clothes just as soon as I can. You need the schooling more than you can need clothes. Be brave and do not give up,” urged Austin.
“I have made up my mind, so you need not try to turn me. I shall not go another day,” she said. “Amy, it was my motive in getting our home started again, to get all of you children into school. Your clothes are as good as many of your schoolmates’, and I can not give my consent to your leaving school now. So put it out of your mind.” Austin said this in a paternal way particularly provoking to the spirit of the girl.
“Who was asking your consent? I am sure I had no intention of doing so. I simply announced that I was going to work, and that is what I intend to do,” she answered hotly.
“Amy, you heard what I said! You can not quit school. I forbid it.”
Amy’s eyes blazed fire, and her slender shoulders shook with rage. “Austin Hill, you are not my father that you may order me about! Two years do not give you such authority over me. I am not going to school, and you might as well understand it!”