“He is going to say we are a set of fools and lunatics and refuse to let us have any money to start the camp. Since we have been so extravagant and selfish for all these years, he’ll think we ought to go to the poor house, where we belong,” said Helen, frowning. “I can see him now looking through his eyebrows at me with the expression of a hairy wildman in a show.”
Dr. Wright came with good news of the travelers. He had not only seen them safely on board but had sailed with them, coming back with the pilot. He reported Mr. Carter as singularly calm and rested already and Mrs. Carter as making an excellent nurse. Evidently he was rather astonished that that poor lady could make herself useful, and Helen, detecting his astonishment, was immediately on the defensive; but as Dr. Wright was addressing his remarks principally to Douglas, almost ignoring her, she had no chance to let him know what she thought of his daring even to think slightingly of poor little Mumsy.
“I have a scheme for you girls, too, if you won’t think I am presumptuous to be making suggestions,” he said, now including all four of the sisters.
Of course, Douglas and Nan assured him that they considered it very kind of him to think of them at all, but Helen tossed her head and said nothing. Lucy waited to see what Helen would do and did the same thing, but she could not help smiling at the young doctor when he laughed out-right at her ridiculous mimicry of Helen. He flushed, however, showing he was not quite so callous to Helen’s scorn and distrust as he would have liked to appear.
“I think the wisest thing for you to do would be to rent this house, furnished, if you can find a tenant——”
“We’ve done it!” exclaimed Helen triumphantly.
“That is, we have got a tenant if you think it is best,” explained Douglas. “We were going to do nothing without your approval.”
“Oh, come now! I have no jurisdiction over you,” laughed the young man.
“Isn’t power of attorney jurisdiction?” asked Lucy. “Nan says I can’t have any more stockings until you permit me.”
“Well, well! I must be a terrible bugaboo to you! I don’t feel at all qualified to judge of your stockings, little girl, or anything else pertaining to the female attire. It was the merest accident that I was given power of attorney. I am not in the least an appropriate person to be having it. I only consented to have it wished on me when I saw your father was becoming excited and tired over the unexpected hitch when the notary spoke of Miss Douglas’s not being of age. I have transferred what cash your father has to your sister’s account. I must find out from you whom you want to look after your affairs and consult that person——”