“Jess and Amy should know all about such things,” he said to his wife when she expressed some faint objection. “Girls should be independent in everything. If they are going to work to earn their own support—as most of them do—why shouldn’t they be perfectly able to manage their other affairs?”
“I hope Jessie will not have to go to work.”
“I don’t know about that. I have some young women in my offices that I respect because of their ability to buff for themselves. I guess they are domestic enough for all purposes; but they will never be helpless, no matter what situation they may be placed in. I want our Jessie to grow up like that.”
In any event Mr. Norwood would not stand in the way of his daughter and her chum having a good time. He observed Amy handling the mechanism of the Water Thrush, and so consented to the two going out alone in the launch.
Monday evening, however, the girls were not on the lake. They would not have missed the broadcasting from Stratfordtown for anything! At eight o’clock, or a few moments before, they were up in Jessie’s room with the phones to their ears.
With the receiving switch open the girls soon heard the tones of Mr. Blair’s voice as he opened the hour’s entertainment.
“Stratfordtown Station to announce: On Thursday at two and again at eight p. m. our radio audience will be afforded a special entertainment of two hours’ duration arranged by the foundation fund committee of the New Melford Women’s and Children’s Hospital. This entertainment will engage both professional and amateur talent of a high standard, and will likewise include a brief talk by the Reverend Doctor Stanley of New Melford on the needs and hopes of the new hospital. I thank you.”
“He has a soothing voice,” said Amy thoughtfully. “Don’t you think so, Jess?”
“Did you ever notice that it sounds like Bertha’s?” her chum returned.
“Hen’s cousin?” gasped Amy. “Well, now! Aren’t you the greatest girl? Because Bertha’s name is the same as the superintendent’s! Well, what do we know about him? It would be romantic if Bertha found rich relatives, wouldn’t it? Then she could have little Henrietta with her all the time.”