“It is not settled yet that Maddy comes,” the doctor replied; adding, as an answer to Guy’s question: “If Agnes were willing, I do not think you could do better than secure Miss Clyde’s services. Two children will thus be happy, for Maddy, as I have told you, thinks Aikenside must be a little lower than Paradise. I shall be happy to open negotiations, if you say so.”
“I’ll ride down and let you know to-morrow,” Guy said. “These domestic matters, where there is a difference of opinion, are better discussed alone,” and he turned good-humoredly toward Agnes, who knew it was useless to oppose him then.
But she did oppose him that night, after the doctor had gone, taking at first the high stand that sooner than have a country girl like Maddy Clyde associated daily with her daughter, whether as teacher or companion, she would give up Saratoga and stay at home. Guy could not explain why it was that opposition from Agnes always aroused all his powers of antagonism. Yet so it was, and now he was as fully determined that Maddy Clyde should come to Aikenside as Agnes was that she should not. He knew, too, how to attain his end without further altercation.
“Very well,” was his quiet reply, “you can remain at home if you choose, of course. I had intended taking you myself, wherever you wished to go; and not only that, but I was about to ask how much was needed for the necessary additions to your wardrobe, but if you prefer remaining here to giving up a most unfounded prejudice against a girl who never harmed you, and whom Jessie already loves, you can do so;” and Guy walked from the room, leaving Agnes first to cry, then to pout, then to think it all over, and finally to decide that going to Saratoga and Newport under the protection of Guy was better than carrying out a whim, which, after all, was nothing but a whim.
Accordingly, next morning, as Guy was in his library reading his papers, she went to him, and folding her white hands upon his shoulder, said very prettily:
“I was real cross last night, and let my foolish pride get the ascendency. But I have reconsidered the matter, and am willing for this Miss Clyde to come, provided you still think it best.”
Guy’s mustache hid the mischievous smile lurking about his mouth, and he received the concession as graciously as if he did not know perfectly the motive which impelled it. As she had commenced being amiable, she seemed determined to continue it, and offered herself to write a note soliciting Maddy’s services.
“As I am Jessie’s mother, it will be perfectly proper for me to hire and manage her,” she said, and as Guy acquiesced in this suggestion, she sat down at the writing-desk, and commenced a very pleasantly-worded note, in which Miss Clyde was informed that she had been recommended as a suitable person with whom to leave Jessie during the summer and part of the autumn, and that she, Jessie’s mother, wrote to ask if for the sum of one dollar per week she was willing to come to Aikenside as governess, or waiting-maid.
“Or what?” Guy asked, as she read to him what she had written. “Maddy Clyde will not be waiting-maid in this house, neither will she come for one dollar per week, as you propose. I hire her myself. I have taken a fancy to the girl. Write another note; substitute companion for waiting-maid, and offer her three dollars per week, instead of one.”
As long as Guy paid the bill, Agnes could not demur to the price, although, remembering a time when she had taught a district school for one dollar per week and boarded ‘round besides, she thought three dollars far too much. But Guy had commanded, and she generally obeyed him, so she wrote another note, which he approved, and, sealing it up, sent it by a servant to Madeline.