“I’ve thought of it considerable. Serepta Stone has concluded to go away to a water-cure place in the States. If Debby should conclude to go to another place, I shouldn’t care about staying in that big house alone. I can let it next fall, I expect. But this summer, Mrs Inglis, if you say so, you can have the house as well as not. It won’t cost you a cent, and it won’t be a cent’s loss to me. And I don’t see why that won’t suit pretty well all round.”
A chorus of “ohs,” and “ahs,” and “dear mammas,” went round the table.
“It wouldn’t cost more than living here,” said David.
“Not so much,” said Miss Bethia.
“And I am sure Mr Oswald would be delighted to have Charlotte and Sarah go, mamma,” said Violet.
“He would pay you the same as he’d pay to them at the other place, and he might be sure he would get the worth of his money,” said Miss Bethia.
“And I would keep house, and save you the trouble, mamma,” said Violet.
“You and Debby Stone,” said Miss Bethia, who seemed to consider that it was as much her affair as theirs, and so put in her word between the others.
“Davie, you’ll have to lend me your fishing rod, to take to Gourlay with me,” said Ned.
“Bless the child! there’s fishing rods enough,” said Miss Bethia.