But part of it was for Atherton, that cousin of
Collins, he asked me to sign for him because he had more than the
regulation number of guests!"
"But Bert, he'll surely pay you?"
"Maybe he will, maybe he won't; it's just one of those things you
can't mention."
"I could let Hannah go," mused Nancy, "but in the rush last summer
I let her help Pauline--waiting on table. Now Pauline won't set
her foot out of the kitchen for love or money."
"And Pauline is wished on us as long as we keep Pierre," Bert
said, "No, you'll need 'em all now, with the baby to run. But
we'll try to pull in a little where we can. My bills for the car
are pretty heavy, and we've got a Tiffany bill for the Fielding
kid's present, and the prizes for the card party. That school of
the boys--it's worth all this, is it?"
Nancy did not answer; her brow was clouded with thought. Doctor,
school, maids, car, table--it was all legitimate expense. Where
might it be cut? For a few minutes they sat in silence, thinking.
Then Bert sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and walked over to look
down at Priscilla.
"Hello, Goo-goo!" said he: "You're having a grand little time with
your blanket, aren't you?"
"I'll truly take the whole thing in hand," Nancy said, noticing
with a little pang that dear old Bert was looking older, and
grayer, than he had a few years ago.
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