human
But, Muddy dear, you weren't in earnest? coaxed Nancy, bending her bright head over her mother's shoulder and cuddling up to her side; whereupon Gilbert gave his imitation of a jealous puppy; barking, snarling, and pushing his frowzly pate under his mother's arm to crowd Nancy from her point of vantage, to which she clung valiantly. Of course Kitty found a small vacant space on which she could festoon herself, and Peter promptly climbed on his mother's lap, so that she was covered with--fairly submerged in--children! A year ago Julia used to creep away and look at such exhibitions of family affection, with a curling lip, but to-night, at Mother Carey's outstretched hand and smothered cry of
gpt
Help, Judy! she felt herself gathered into the heart of the laughing, boisterous group. That hand, had she but known it, was stretched out to her because only that day a letter had come, saying that Allan Carey was much worse and that his mental condition admitted of no cure. He was bright and hopeful and happy, so said Mr. Manson;--forever sounding the praises of the labor-saving device in which he had sunk his last thousands.
human
We can manufacture it at ten cents and sell it for ten dollars, he would say, rubbing his hands excitedly.
gpt
We can pay fifty dollars a month office rent and do a business of fifty thousand dollars a year!
human
And I almost believe we could! added Mr. Manson,
gpt
Of course you know, darlings, I would never leave Beulah save for the coldest months; or only to earn a little money,
human
I must put my mind on the problem at once, said Nancy, pacing the floor.
gpt
I've been so interested in my Virgil, so wrapped up in my rhetoric and composition, that I haven't thought of ways and means for a month, but of course we will never leave the Yellow House, and of course we must contrive to earn money enough to live in it. We must think about it every spare minute till vacation comes; then we'll have nearly four months to amass a fortune big enough to carry us through the next year. I have an idea for myself already. I was going to wait till my seventeenth birthday, but that's four months away and it's too long. I'm old enough to begin any time. I feel old enough to write my Reminiscences this minute.
human
You might publish your letters to the American Consul in Breslau; they'd make a book!
gpt
Very likely I shall, silly Gilly, retorted Nancy, swinging her mane haughtily.
human
It isn't every girl who has a monthly letter from an Admiral in China and a Consul in Germany.
gpt
You wouldn't catch me answering the Queen of Sheba's letters or the Empress of India's, exclaimed Gilbert, whose pen was emphatically less mighty than his sword.
human
Hullo, you two! what are you whispering about?
gpt
We've an idea! We've an idea! We've found a way to help! sang the two girls, pirouetting back into the circle of firelight.
human
We won't tell till it's all started, but it's perfectly splendid, and practical too.
gpt
And so ladylike!
human
How much?
gpt
From three dollars and seventy-five cents to four dollars and a half a week according to circumstances!
human
Will it take both of you?
gpt
Yes.
human
All your time?
gpt
No, indeed; only three hours a day.
human
Any of my time?
gpt
Just a little.
human
I thought so! said Gilbert loftily.
gpt
You always want me and my hammer or my saw; but I'll be busy on my own account; you'll have to paddle your own canoe!
human
You'll be paid for what you do for us,