"There is no chair high enough for Gardiner," Bella said, "but we can build him one up out of books."
"I'd wather sit on Cousin Antony's lap," said the little boy; "built-up books shake me off so, Bella."
Both children wore blue gingham play aprons. Fairfax told them they looked like real workmen in a real studio, with which idea they were much delighted.
"Gardiner looks like a charity child," said his sister, "in that apron, and his hair's too long. It ought to be cut, but I gave my solemn word of honour that I wouldn't cut it again."
"Why don't you go to your famous Buckingham barber?" asked the cousin.
"It's too far for Gardiner to walk," she returned, "and we have lost our last ten cents. Besides, it's thirty-five cents to get a hair-cut."
Fairfax had placed the boy before his drawing board, and confiscated a long piece of kitchen bread, telling Bella that less than a whole loaf was enough for an eraser, extracted the rubber from Gardiner's mouth, and sat down by the little boy's side.
"There's not much money in this house, Cousin Antony," Bella informed him when the séance opened. "Please let me use the soft pencils, will you? They slide like delicious velvet."
Fairfax made an equal division of the implements, avoiding a scene, and made Bella a straight line across the page.
"Draw a line under it."