“But there are ever so many things that a girl can do to help us,” said Jack, “so we must take her into partnership.”
“O Jack! how very fine and exquisite,” cried Rosalie, grasping his arm with excited little fingers. “I’ll wait on customers, and make change all alone, and help you fix up things and look nice.”
“She uses such terribly big words,” said Cornelius, in disfavor at the scheme, “and puts on airs, just like all the other girls. Jack, we can’t let her in; it’s no use to try.”
“Now, Corny,” cried Rosalie, slipping from her bench and standing quite tall. “I’m very big—nearly ten; and I know a great many things, and Jack says I may—so there.”
“Yes, she really ought,” said Jack, with a nod over at the smaller boy, “because you see it’s a family concern. We must make it Brimmer Brothers and Company.”
“Am I Company?” asked Rosalie, in subdued excitement.
“Yes,” said Jack. “Well, now I’ll tell you how we can make the money to buy the things that we are to sell. To begin with, Rosalie?”
“I?” cried the Company, with widened eyes.
“Yes,” Jack nodded at her very decidedly. “You can take care of Mrs. Prouty’s baby.”
“O Jack!” It was a tone of horror that came from the girl of the family, “you don’t ever mean that?”