“There’d be talk if you raised her prices,” said Mrs. Kronborg dubiously.
“At first there would. But Thea is so much the best musician in town that they’d all come into line after a while. A good many people in Moonstone have been making money lately, and have bought new pianos. There were ten new pianos shipped in here from Denver in the last year. People ain’t going to let them stand idle; too much money invested. I believe Thea can have as many scholars as she can handle, if we set her up a little.”
“How set her up, do you mean?” Mrs. Kronborg felt a certain reluctance about accepting this plan, though she had not yet had time to think out her reasons.
“Well, I’ve been thinking for some time we could make good use of another room. We couldn’t give up the parlor to her all the time. If we built another room on the ell and put the piano in there, she could give lessons all day long and it wouldn’t bother us. We could build a clothes-press in it, and put in a bed-lounge and a dresser and let Anna have it for her sleeping-room. She needs a place of her own, now that she’s beginning to be dressy.”
“Seems like Thea ought to have the choice of the room, herself,” said Mrs. Kronborg.
“But, my dear, she don’t want it. Won’t have it. I sounded her coming home from church on Sunday; asked her if she would like to sleep in a new room, if we built on. She fired up like a little wild-cat and said she’d made her own room all herself, and she didn’t think anybody ought to take it away from her.”
“She don’t mean to be impertinent, father. She’s made decided that way, like my father.” Mrs. Kronborg spoke warmly. “I never have any trouble with the child. I remember my father’s ways and go at her carefully. Thea’s all right.”
Mr. Kronborg laughed indulgently and pinched Thor’s full cheek. “Oh, I didn’t mean anything against your girl, mother! She’s all right, but she’s a little wild-cat, just the same. I think Ray Kennedy’s planning to spoil a born old maid.”
“Huh! She’ll get something a good sight better than Ray Kennedy, you see! Thea’s an awful smart girl. I’ve seen a good many girls take music lessons in my time, but I ain’t seen one that took to it so. Wunsch said so, too. She’s got the making of something in her.”
“I don’t deny that, and the sooner she gets at it in a businesslike way, the better. She’s the kind that takes responsibility, and it’ll be good for her.”