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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/39081-8.txt b/39081-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8dd0767 --- /dev/null +++ b/39081-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7027 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dorrance Domain, by Carolyn Wells + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: The Dorrance Domain + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Illustrator: Pelagie Doane + +Release Date: March 8, 2012 [EBook #39081] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE DORRANCE DOMAIN + + _By_ CAROLYN WELLS + + + _Illustrated by_ + PELAGIE DOANE + + GROSSET & DUNLAP + _Publishers_ NEW YORK + + _Copyright, 1905_, + BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY, + _All rights reserved_. + + The Dorrance Domain. + + Made in the United States of America + + +[Illustration: "IF THAT'S THE DORRANCE DOMAIN, IT'S ALL RIGHT. WHAT DO +YOU THINK, FAIRY?"] + + + + +Contents + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. COOPED UP 9 + + II. REBELLIOUS HEARTS 22 + + III. DOROTHY'S PLAN 35 + + IV. THE DEPARTURE 48 + + V. THE MAMIE MEAD 60 + + VI. THE DORRANCE DOMAIN 73 + + VII. MR. HICKOX 86 + + VIII. MRS. HICKOX 99 + + IX. THE FLOATING BRIDGE 112 + + X. THE HICKOXES AT HOME 124 + + XI. SIX INVITATIONS 137 + + XII. GUESTS FOR ALL 149 + + XIII. AN UNWELCOME LETTER 161 + + XIV. FINANCIAL PLANS 174 + + XV. A SUDDEN DETERMINATION 188 + + XVI. A DARING SCHEME 201 + + XVII. REGISTERED GUESTS 214 + + XVIII. AMBITIONS 226 + + XIX. THE VAN ARSDALE LADIES 239 + + XX. A REAL HOTEL 252 + + XXI. UPS AND DOWNS 265 + + XXII. TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 278 + + XXIII. AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION 290 + + XXIV. DOROTHY'S REWARD 307 + + + + +The Dorrance Domain + + + + +CHAPTER I + +COOPED UP + + +"I _wish_ we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!" said Dorothy +Dorrance, flinging herself into an armchair, in her grandmother's room, +one May afternoon, about six o'clock. + +She made this remark almost every afternoon, about six o'clock, whatever +the month or the season, and as a rule, little attention was paid to it. +But to-day her sister Lilian responded, in a sympathetic voice, + +"_I_ wish we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!" + +Whereupon Leicester, Lilian's twin brother, mimicking his sister's +tones, dolefully repeated, "I wish _we_ didn't have to live in a +boarding-house!" + +And then Fairy, the youngest Dorrance, and the last of the quartet, +sighed forlornly, "I wish we didn't have to live in a _boarding-house_!" + +There was another occupant of the room. A gentle white-haired old lady, +whose sweet face and dainty fragile figure had all the effects of an +ivory miniature, or a painting on porcelain. + +"My dears," she said, "I'm sure I wish you didn't." + +"Don't look like that, grannymother," cried Dorothy, springing to kiss +the troubled face of the dear old lady. "I'd live here a million years, +rather than have you look so worried about it. And anyway, it wouldn't +be so bad, if it weren't for the dinners." + +"I don't mind the dinners," said Leicester, "in fact I would be rather +sorry not to have them. What I mind is the cramped space, and the +shut-up-in-your-own-room feeling. I spoke a piece in school last week, +and I spoke it awful well, too, because I just meant it. It began, 'I +want free life, and I want fresh air,' and that's exactly what I do +want. I wish we lived in Texas, instead of on Manhattan Island. Texas +has a great deal more room to the square yard, and I don't believe +people are crowded down there." + +"There can't be more room to a square yard in one place than another," +said Lilian, who was practical. + +"I mean back yards and front yards and side yards,--and I don't care +whether they're square or not," went on Leicester, warming to his +subject. "My air-castle is situated right in the middle of the state of +Texas, and it's the only house in the state." + +"Mine is in the middle of a desert island," said Lilian; "it's so much +nicer to feel sure that you can get to the water, no matter in what +direction you walk away from your house." + +"A desert island would be nice," said Leicester; "it would be more +exciting than Texas, I suppose, on account of the wild animals. But then +in Texas, there are wild men and wild animals both." + +"I like plenty of room, too," said Dorothy, "but I want it inside my +house as well as out. Since we are choosing, I think I'll choose to +live in the Madison Square Garden, and I'll have it moved to the middle +of a western prairie." + +"Well, children," said Mrs. Dorrance, "your ideas are certainly big +enough, but you must leave the discussion of them now, and go to your +small cramped boarding-house bedrooms, and make yourselves presentable +to go down to your dinner in a boarding-house dining-room." + +This suggestion was carried out in the various ways that were +characteristic of the Dorrance children. + +Dorothy, who was sixteen, rose from her chair and humming a waltz tune, +danced slowly and gracefully across the room. The twins, Lilian and +Leicester, fell off of the arms of the sofa, where they had been +perched, scrambled up again, executed a sort of war-dance and then +dashed madly out of the door and down the hall. + +Fairy, the twelve year old, who lived up to her name in all respects, +flew around the room, waving her arms, and singing in a high soprano, +"Can I wear my pink sash? Can I wear my pink sash?" + +"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "you may wear anything you like, if +you'll only keep still a minute. You children are too boisterous for a +boarding-house. You _ought_ to be in the middle of a desert or +somewhere. You bewilder me!" + +But about fifteen minutes later it was four decorous young Dorrances who +accompanied their grandmother to the dining-room. Not that they wanted +to be sedate, or enjoyed being quiet, but they were well-bred children +in spite of their rollicking temperaments. They knew perfectly well how +to behave properly, and always did it when the occasion demanded. + +And, too, the atmosphere of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room was an assistance +rather than a bar to the repression of hilarity. + +The Dorrances sat at a long table, two of the children on either side of +their grandmother, and this arrangement was one of their chief +grievances. + +"If we could only have a table to ourselves," Leicester often said, "it +wouldn't be so bad. But set up side by side, like the teeth in a comb, +cheerful conversation is impossible." + +"But, my boy," his grandmother would remonstrate, "you must learn to +converse pleasantly with those who sit opposite you. You can talk with +your sisters at other times." + +So Leicester tried, but it is exceedingly difficult for a fourteen year +old boy to adapt himself to the requirements of polite conversation. + +On the evening of which we are speaking, his efforts, though well meant, +were unusually unsuccessful. + +Exactly opposite Leicester sat Mr. Bannister, a ponderous gentleman, +both physically and mentally. He was a bachelor, and his only idea +regarding children was that they should be treated jocosely. He also had +his own ideas of jocose treatment. + +"Well, my little man," he said, smiling broadly at Leicester, "did you +go to school to-day?" + +As he asked this question every night at dinner, not even excepting +Saturdays and Sundays, Leicester felt justified in answering only, "Yes, +sir." + +"That's nice; and what did you learn?" + +As this question invariably followed the other, Leicester was not wholly +unprepared for it. But the discussion of air-castles in Texas, or on a +prairie, had made the boy a little impatient of the narrow dining-room, +and the narrow table, and even of Mr. Bannister, though he was by no +means of narrow build. + +"I learned my lessons," he replied shortly, though there was no rudeness +in his tone. + +"Tut, tut, my little man," said Mr. Bannister, playfully shaking a fat +finger at him, "don't be rude." + +"No, sir, I won't," said Leicester, with such an innocent air of +accepting a general bit of good advice, that Mr. Bannister was quite +discomfited. + +Grandma Dorrance looked at Leicester reproachfully, and Mrs. Hill, who +was a sharp-featured, sharp-spoken old lady, and who also sat on the +other side of the table, said severely, to nobody in particular, +"Children are not brought up now as they were in my day." + +This had the effect of silencing Leicester, for the three older +Dorrances had long ago decided that it was useless to try to talk to +Mrs. Hill. Even if you tried your best to be nice and pleasant, she was +sure to say something so irritating, that you just _had_ to lose your +temper. + +But Fairy did not subscribe to this general decision. Indeed, Fairy's +chief characteristic was her irrepressible loquacity. So much trouble +had this made, that she had several times been forbidden to talk at the +dinner-table at all. Then Grandma Dorrance would feel sorry for the +dolefully mute little girl, and would lift the ban, restricting her, +however, to not more than six speeches during any one meal. + +Fairy kept strict account, and never exceeded the allotted number, but +she made each speech as long as she possibly could, and rarely stopped +until positively interrupted. + +So she took it upon herself to respond to Mrs. Hill's remark, and at +the same time demonstrate her loyalty to her grandmother. + +"I'm sure, Mrs. Hill," Fairy began, "that nobody could bring up children +better than my grannymother. She is the best children bring-upper in the +whole world. I don't know how your grandmother brought you up,--or +perhaps you had a mother,--some people think they're better than +grandmothers. I don't know; I never had a mother, only a grandmother, +but she's just the best ever, and if us children aren't good, it's our +fault and not hers. She says we're boist'rous, and I 'spect we are. Mr. +Bannister says we're rude, and I 'spect we are; but none of these +objectionaries is grandma's fault!" Fairy had a way of using long words +when she became excited, and as she knew very few real ones she often +made them up to suit herself. And all her words, long or short came out +in such a torrent of enthusiasm and emphasis, and with such a degree of +rapidity that it was a difficult matter to stop her. So on she went. "So +it's all right, Mrs. Hill, but when we don't behave just first-rate, or +just as children did in your day, please keep a-remembering to blame us +and not grandma. You see," and here Fairy's speech assumed a +confidential tone, "we don't have room enough. We want free life and we +want fresh air, and then I 'spect we'd be more decorious." + +"That will do, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance, looking at her gravely. + +"Yes'm," said Fairy, smiling pleasantly, "that'll do for one." + +"And that makes two! now you've had two speeches, Fairy," said her +brother, teasingly. + +"I have not," said Fairy, "and an explanationary speech doesn't count!" + +"Yes, it does," cried Lilian, "and that makes three!" + +"It doesn't, does it, grandma?" pleaded Fairy, lifting her big blue eyes +to her grandmother's face. + +Mrs. Dorrance looked helpless and a little bewildered, but she only +said, "Please be quiet, Fairy; I might like to talk a little, myself." + +"Oh, that's all right, grandma dear," said Fairy, placidly; "I know how +it is to feel conversationary myself." + +The children's mother had died when Fairy was born, and her father had +given her the name of Fairfax because there had always been a Fairfax +Dorrance in his family for many generations. To be sure it had always +before been a boy baby who was christened Fairfax, but the only boy in +this family had been named Leicester; and so, one Fairfax Dorrance was a +girl. From the time she was old enough to show any characteristics at +all, she had been fairy-like in every possible way. Golden hair, big +blue eyes and a cherub face made her a perfect picture of child beauty. +Then she was so light and airy, so quick of motion and speech, and so +immaculately dainty in her dress and person, that Fairy seemed to be the +only fitting name for her. No matter how much she played rollicking +games, her frock never became rumpled or soiled; and the big white bow +which crowned her mass of golden curls always kept its shape and +position even though its wearer turned somersaults. For Fairy was by no +means a quiet or sedate child. None of the Dorrances were that. And the +youngest was perhaps the most headstrong and difficult to control. But +though impetuous in her deeds and mis-deeds, her good impulses were +equally sudden, and she was always ready to apologize or make amends for +her frequent naughtiness. + +And so after dinner, she went to Mrs. Hill, and said with a most +engaging smile, "I'm sorry if I 'fended you, and I hope I didn't. You +see I didn't mean to speak so much, and right at the dinner table, too, +but I just _have_ to stand up for my grannymother. She's so old, and so +ladylike that she can't stand up for herself. And I was 'fraid you +mightn't understand, so I thought I'd 'pologize. Is it all right?" + +Fairy looked up into Mrs. Hill's face with such angelic eyes and +pleading smile, that even that dignified lady unbent a little. + +"Yes, my dear," she said; "it's all right for you to stand up for your +grandmother, as you express it. But you certainly do talk too much for +such a little girl." + +"Yes'm," said Fairy, contritely, "I know I do. It's my upsetting sin; +but somehow I can't help it. My head seems to be full of words, and they +just keep spilling out. Don't you ever talk too much, ma'am?" + +"No; I don't think I do." + +"You ought to be very thankful," said Fairy, with a sigh; "it is an +awful affliction. Why once upon a time----" + +"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "say good-night to Mrs. Hill, and +come up-stairs with me." + +"Yes, grandma, I'm coming. Good-night, Mrs. Hill; I'm sorry I have to go +just now 'cause I was just going to tell you an awful exciting story. +But perhaps to-morrow----" + +"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "come at once!" And at last the +gentle old lady succeeded in capturing her refractory granddaughter, and +led the dancing sprite away to her own room. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +REBELLIOUS HEARTS + + +Although Mrs. Cooper's boarders were privileged to sit in the parlor in +the evening, the Dorrances rarely availed themselves of this permission. +For the atmosphere of the formal and over-punctilious drawing-room was +even more depressing than that of the dining-room. And even had the +children wanted to stay there, which they didn't, Mrs. Dorrance would +have been afraid that their irrepressible gayety would have been too +freely exhibited. And another thing, they had to study their next day's +lessons, for their hours between school and dinner-time were always +spent out of doors. + +And so every evening they congregated in their grandmother's room, and +were studious or frivolous as their mood dictated. + +To-night they were especially fractious. + +"Grannymother," exclaimed Lilian, "it just seems as if I _couldn't_ +live in this house another minute! there is nobody here I like, except +our own selves, and I just hate it all!" + +"Did _you_ go to school to-day, my little man?" said Leicester, shaking +his finger in such funny imitation of Mr. Bannister, that Lilian had to +laugh, in spite of her discontentment. + +"I'm so tired of him, too," went on Lilian, still scowling. "Can't we go +and live somewhere else, grandmother?" + +Mrs. Dorrance sighed. She knew only too well the difficulty of securing +desirable rooms in a desirable locality with her four lively young +charges; and especially at the modest price she was able to pay. Already +they had moved six times in their two years of boarding-house life, and +Mrs. Dorrance dreaded the thought of a seventh similar experience. + +"Lilian, dear," she said, gently, "you know how hard it is to find any +nice boarding-house where they will take four noisy children. And I'm +sure, in many respects, this is the best one we've ever found." + +"I suppose it is," said Dorothy, looking up from the French lesson she +was studying, "but I know one thing! as soon as I get through school, +and I don't mean to go many years more, we're going to get away from +boarding-houses entirely, and we're going to have a home of our own. I +don't suppose it can be in Texas, or the Desert of Sahara, but we'll +have a house or an apartment or something, and live by ourselves." + +"I wish you might do so," said her grandmother, "but I fear we cannot +afford it. And, too, I think I would not be able to attend to the +housekeeping. When we used to have plenty of servants, it was quite a +different matter." + +"But granny, dear," cried Dorothy, "I don't mean for you to housekeep. I +mean to do that myself. After I get through school, you know, I'll have +nothing to do, and I can just as well keep house as not." + +"Do you know how?" asked Fairy, staring at her oldest sister with +wide-open blue eyes. + +"Can you make a cherry pie?" sang Leicester. "I don't believe you can, +Dot; and I'll tell you a better plan than yours. You wait until _I_ get +out of school, and then I'll go into some business, and earn enough +money to buy a big house for all of us." + +"Like the one in Fifty-eighth Street?" said Dorothy, softly. + +The children always lowered their voices when they spoke of the house on +Fifty-eighth Street. Two years ago, when their grandfather died, they +had to move out of that beautiful home, and none of them, not even +little Fairy, could yet speak of it in a casual way. + +The children's father had died only a few years after their mother, and +the four had been left without any provision other than that offered by +their Grandfather Dorrance. He took them into his home on Fifty-eighth +Street, and being a man of ample means, he brought them up in a +generous, lavish way. The little Dorrances led a happy life, free from +care or bothers of any sort, until when Dorothy was fourteen, +Grandfather Dorrance died. + +His wife knew nothing of his business affairs, and placidly supposed +there was no reason why she should not continue to live with the +children, in the ways to which they had so long been accustomed. + +But all too soon she learned that years of expensive living had made +decided inroads upon Mr. Dorrance's fortune, and that for the future her +means would be sadly limited. + +Mrs. Dorrance was a frail old lady, entirely unused to responsibilities +of any kind; her husband had always carefully shielded her from all +troubles or annoyances, and now, aside from her deep grief at his death, +she was forced suddenly to face her changed circumstances and the +responsibility of her four grandchildren. + +She was crushed and bewildered by the situation, and had it not been for +the advice and kind assistance of her lawyer, Mr. Lloyd, she would not +have known which way to turn. + +Dorothy, too, though only fourteen years old, proved to be a staunch +little helper. She was brave and plucky, and showed a courage and +capability that astonished all who knew her. + +After Mr. Dorrance's affairs were settled up, it was discovered that the +family could not remain in the home. Although the house was free of +incumbrance, yet there was no money with which to pay taxes, or to pay +the household expenses, even if they lived on a more moderate scale. +Only a few years before his death, Mr. Dorrance had invested a large sum +of money in a summer hotel property. This had not turned out +advantageously, and though Mrs. Dorrance could not understand all of the +business details, she finally became aware that she had but a net income +of two thousand dollars to support herself and her grandchildren. + +Helpless and heart-broken as she was, she yet had a certain amount of +indomitable pride, which though it might break, would never bend. + +In her quiet, gentle way she accepted the situation, and endeavored to +find a suitable boarding-place that would come within her means. The big +house had been rented to strangers, as Mr. Lloyd considered that a +better investment than selling it. The furniture had been sold, except +a few choice personal belongings which had been stored away against +better days. + +With a cheerful placidity, which was but the reaction of her utter +helplessness, Mrs. Dorrance began her new life. + +The children took the change more easily. Although they fretted and +stormed more, yet that very fact gave a sort of outlet to their +disappointment, and, too, their youth allowed them to adapt themselves +more easily to the changed conditions. + +And had it been possible for them to have a home of their own, they +would perhaps have been as happy as in their grandfather's mansion. + +But Mrs. Dorrance well knew her own limitations, and realized that at +her age she could not take up the unaccustomed cares of housekeeping. + +And so they boarded; and it was unsatisfactory to all concerned; +principally because children do not agree with boarding-houses and _vice +versa_. + + * * * * * + +"Well, there is one thing to look forward to," said Dorothy, in her +cheerful way; "it's the first of May now. In a month, school will be +over for this term, and then we can go to the seashore or the country, +and get away from Mrs. Cooper's for the summer, anyhow." + +"Yes," exclaimed Lilian, "won't it be fun! I vote for the country this +year. What do you say, Leicester?" + +The twins, though possessing strong individual opinions, usually +referred all questions to each other, though this by no means implied a +change of mind on the part of either. + +"Country's all right," said Leicester, "but I like mountains. +Mountainous country, you know; I don't mean Pike's Peak or Mount +Washington." + +"I like the seashore," said Fairy. "'Course you needn't go there just +'cause I like it,--but I do think it's awful nice. There's the water you +know, and the big waves come in all tumble-bumble,--oh, it's beautiful +to see them! And if I could have a new bathing-suit trimmed with red +braid like Gladys Miller's, I do think----" + +"Wait a minute, Fairy," said her grandmother; "you're doing your +thinking too soon. I'm sorry, children, more sorry than I can tell you, +but I don't see how we can go away this summer, to the mountains or +seashore or anywhere else." + +"Oh, grannymother!" cried Dorothy in dismay; "you don't mean we must +stay in the city all summer!" + +"I'm afraid so, my dear. I can't see any hope for anything else." + +"But grandma, we went last year, and we stayed all summer, and we had a +lovely time." This from Lilian, whose brown eyes were already filling +with tears. + +"In the city! all summer! well, I just guess _not_!" shouted Leicester. +"I'm going off of Manhattan Island, if I have to go as a tramp." + +"Tramping isn't so bad," said Lilian, brightening up; "we could carry +our things in handkerchiefs slung on sticks over our shoulders." + +"But grannymother couldn't tramp," said Fairy. + + "The streets will be broad and the lanes will be narrow, + So we'll have to take grannymother in a wheel-barrow," + +chanted Dorothy. "But tell us truly, granny, dear, why can't we go +away?" + +Grandmother Dorrance looked sad, but her face wore that air of placid +determination which the children had come to look upon as indicative of +final and unalterable decision. + +"This last winter," she said, "was much more expensive than the winter +before. There was the doctor and the nurse, when Fairy was ill; we are +paying a little more board here than we did at Mrs. Watson's; and then, +somehow, your clothes seem to cost more every year. I don't know how it +is, I'm sure," and the sweet old face assumed the worried look that +always pained Dorothy's heart, "but somehow there isn't any money left +for a summer trip." + +"But grandma," said Leicester, with a great desire to be businesslike, +"can't we find a place to board in the country, for just the same price +as we pay here?" + +"No, it always costs a little more per week at any summer place than in +the city. And that is not all; there are the traveling expenses, and +you'd all need new summer clothes, and there are many extra expenses, +such as laundry work, and things that you children know nothing about." + +Dorothy sat thinking. She had closed her French book and sat with her +elbows on the table in front of her, and her chin in her hands. Dorothy +Dorrance was a very pretty girl, although it had never occurred to her +to think so. She had dark eyes like her father's, but had inherited her +mother's blonde hair. Not golden, but a light golden-brown, which fell +into soft shining curls which tossed about her temples, and escaped from +the thick twist at the back of her head. She had a sunshiny smile, which +was almost always visible, for Dorothy was light-hearted and of a merry +nature. She was an all-round capable girl, and could turn her hand to +almost anything she undertook. She had a capable mind too, and often +astonished her grandmother by her intelligent grasp of business matters +or financial problems. Indeed, Dorothy at sixteen had a far more +practical knowledge of the ways and means of existence than Mrs. +Dorrance at seventy. + +"Grandmother," she said at last, after she had sat for some minutes +staring straight ahead of her, and looking, as Leicester said, "almost +as if she were really thinking." "Grandmother, I think we are old enough +now,--at any rate I am,--to know something about our income. How much +money do we have a year?" + +"That's easily told, my child; since your grandfather's death we have +very little. I own the house on Fifty-eighth Street, but from the rent +of that I have to pay taxes and repairs. Of course Mr. Lloyd attends to +all these matters, and his judgment is always right, but I can't help +thinking there is very little profit in that house." + +"Wouldn't it be better to sell that house, and invest the money in some +other way?" said Dorothy, straightforwardly. + +"Mr. Lloyd says not, dearie, and of course he knows. Then besides that, +I own the large hotel property which your grandfather bought a few +years before he died. But as I cannot rent it, and cannot sell it, it is +not only no source of income to me, but it is a great expense." + +"Oh, 'Our Domain' up in the mountains," said Dorothy. + +"Yes, 'Our Domain'; but I wish it were the Domain of somebody else," +said her grandmother. + +This hotel property had always been called "Our Domain," by the family +and when Mr. Dorrance was alive, had been looked upon as a sort of a +joke, but the present view of the situation did not seem at all +humorous. + +"Never mind," said Leicester, who was always hopeful, "I think it's very +nice to own a Domain. It makes us seem like landed proprietors, and some +day, who knows, it may prove valuable." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DOROTHY'S PLAN + + +One afternoon, about a week later, the children were again in their +grandmother's room waiting for dinner-time. + +To be exact, they weren't in the room, but were literally half in and +half out. For Mrs. Dorrance's room had two front windows, and two +children were hanging out of each, in a precarious and really dangerous +way. + +The twins, in one window, were vying with each other as to which could +lean out farthest, without falling out; and in the other window Dorothy +was leaning out as far as possible, and at the same time trying to keep +a very excited Fairy from pitching headlong to the street. + +The simple explanation of this acrobatic performance is, that they were +looking for the postman. Not that they really thought he would come any +sooner for their endangering their lives, but each young Dorrance +considered it of the highest importance to catch the first glimpse of +him. + +"Oh, dear, do you suppose the house is sold?" said Lilian, for the +dozenth time. + +"Hi!" screamed Dorothy; "there he is! we'll soon know now." + +Dorothy having won the game, they all tumbled into the room again, and +Leicester started down-stairs for the mail. + +"Gently, my boy, gently," warned his grandmother. "Don't go down +whooping like a wild Indian." + +Leicester assumed a sudden air of decorum, and disappeared; while the +girls clustered around their grandmother, all talking at once. + +"What do you think, grandmother?" cried Dorothy, "guess,--which way do +you guess?" + +"I guess, no," said Mrs. Dorrance, who was used to guessing games. + +"I guess, _yes_!" shouted Lilian; "of course it's sold! and we'll have +lots of money and we'll go to Europe, and Africa, and Chicago, and +everywhere!" + +"And over to Brooklyn," chimed in Fairy; "I do want to go to Brooklyn, +'cause I've never been there and Gladys Miller says it's awful funny, +and besides----" + +"A letter! here's a letter," cried Leicester, bouncing into the room; +"open it, open it quick, granny dear!" + +"I can't," said the old lady, helplessly; "you children make such a +noise, I'm all bewildered. Open it, Dorothy, and read it aloud; and the +rest of you, do try to keep still." + +Eagerly, Dorothy tore open the letter, and began to read it: + + MRS. ELIZABETH DORRANCE: + + _Dear Madam_:--I had a final interview to-day with Mr. Ware. As you + know, he had about concluded to buy your hotel, but he has been + making inquiries concerning it, and has learned that it has not + been occupied for several years. He fears that he cannot make it + pay as a business venture, and has therefore definitely decided not + to buy it. + + I do not wish to discourage you, my dear madam, but it looks to me + as if it would not be possible to sell the hotel this season, and + indeed, I doubt if you can ever dispose of it to your satisfaction. + The next best course, in my opinion, would be for you to allow it + to be sold at auction. This plan would enable you to pay the back + taxes now due, and relieve you of further obligations of the same + sort,--though I fear there would be little or no margin of profit + for you in this arrangement. + + However, should you think best to adopt this course, please advise + me promptly, and I will take the necessary steps in the matter. + + I am, my dear madam, + Respectfully yours, + LEWIS H. LLOYD. + +At the conclusion of this letter the four Dorrance children groaned in +concert. Their concerted groan was an old-established affair, and by +reason of much practice they had brought it to a high state of +perfection. It began with a low wail which deepened and strengthened +through several bass notes, and then slid up to high C with a wild, +final shriek. It was most effective as an expression of utter +exasperation, but Mrs. Dorrance, though accustomed to it, lived in a +state of fear lest it might cause the landlady to request them to give +up their rooms. + +"Oh, dear," said Lilian, after the groan had subsided, "I felt sure that +Ware man was going to take the old place. I think he's mean!" + +"I think Mr. Lloyd is mean," broke in Dorothy. "I don't like him!" + +"It isn't his fault, my dear," said her grandmother. "He has done all in +his power to sell the place, but it seems to be unsalable, except at +auction. And that would probably mean that our financial affairs would +be in no better state than they are now." + +"I'd like to see Our Domain," said Leicester, thoughtfully; "what's it +like, grandmother?" + +"I don't know, dear; I've never seen it. Your grandfather never saw it +either. He bought the property through an agent, merely as a +speculation." + +"Ho!" cried Leicester, "the idea of owning a Domain that nobody has ever +seen! why, perhaps there is nothing there at all, and so of course +nobody will buy it." + +"People!" exclaimed Dorothy, suddenly, her eyes shining, and her whole +air expressive of a wonderful discovery. And, too, when Dorothy said, +"People!" in that tone of voice, the others had learned that she meant +to announce one of her plans. As a rule, her plans were wild and +impracticable schemes, but they were always interesting to listen to. + +"People, I'll tell you exactly what we'll do. Grandma says we can't +afford any extra expense this summer. So,--we'll go and live in our +Domain!" + +"Well, of all crazy things," said Lilian, in a disappointed tone. "I +thought you were going to say something nice." + +"It _is_ nice," said Dorothy; "you think it isn't, because you don't +know anything about it. I know all about it. Now listen and I'll tell +you." + +"Know all about it!" said Leicester; "you don't even know where it is!" + +"Anybody can find that out," went on Dorothy; "and then when we find +out, all we have to do is to go there. And then we'll live in the house, +no matter what it is. It's ours, and so we won't have to pay any rent, +and we girls will do all the housework and cooking, and so it won't +cost near as much as boarding. And the difference will pay our traveling +expenses to the Domain, wherever it is. And we won't need any new +clothes to go to a place like that, and it will be perfectly lovely, as +good as a prairie or a Texas, or anything! Now then!" + +"Whew!" exclaimed Leicester; "I do believe you've struck it right this +time. It will be great! I'll do my share of the work,--it will be just +like camping out. What do you suppose the house is like?" + +"Isn't it lovely not to know!" cried Lilian; "everything about it will +be such a surprise. When can we go, grandmother?" + +"Oh, my dears, how you rattle on," said Mrs. Dorrance, half-laughing, +and yet beginning to take an interest in Dorothy's plan. + +Fairy was keeping up a running fire of conversation, but nobody paid any +attention to her. + +"Where is the place, grandmother?" asked Dorothy, who was taking it all +a little more seriously than the others; "you must know at least what +state it's in." + +"Oh, yes, I know that. It's on the shore of Lake Ponetcong,--in the +northern part of New Jersey." + +"What a fearful name!" cried Leicester; "but I don't care if it's called +Alibazan, so long as there's a lake there. You never told us about the +lake before." + +"A lake!" said Lilian, with an ecstatic air; "I shall just stay on that +all the time. I shall have a rowboat and a sailboat and a canoe----" + +"And a cataraman," supplemented her brother; "you can use the hotel for +a boathouse, Lilian, and we'll build a little cabin to live in." + +"Don't go so fast, children," said Mrs. Dorrance; "if you'll give me a +minute to think, I'm not sure but I could see some sense in this +arrangement." + +"Oh, granny, dear," cried Dorothy, clasping her hands beseechingly; "do +take a minute to think. Take several minutes, and think hard, and see if +you can't think some sense into it." + +"As you say," began Mrs. Dorrance, while the children were breathlessly +quiet in their anxiety, "the living expenses would be very much less +than in any boarding-house. And in a country-place like that, you would +not need elaborate clothes. But there are many things to be considered; +you see, I've no idea what the house is like, or in what condition we +would find it." + +"Oh, never mind that," pleaded Dorothy; "let's take our chances. That +will be the fun of it, to go there, not knowing what we're going to. And +anyway, we'll have room enough." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling; "in a hotel you will probably have +room enough. But what do you mean by saying you can do the housework? In +the first place you're not strong enough, and secondly, you don't know +how." + +"I'll do the work," said Fairy. "I don't care if I am only twelve, I can +cook; 'cause when I went to Gladys Miller's one day, she had a little +stove and she showed me how. I'll do all the cooking, and you other +girls can do the domesticker work. Leicester can do all the man's work, +and grannymother can be a Princess of high degree, and just sit and look +on. And then on some days----" + +"Oh, yes, we know how to work," interrupted Dorothy. It was always +necessary to interrupt Fairy if anybody wanted to say anything. + +"And I won't mind how much I have to do, if we have some outdoors around +us. Only think, it's May out of doors now, and here we have to stay shut +up in this old boarding-house, same as in December." + +"You may go out for a while if you care to, little girl," said +Leicester, assuming a grown-up air. + +"I don't want to go out on paved streets," said Dorothy; "I want green +fields and trees and cows." + +"I want free life and I want fresh air," sang Leicester, "and I do +believe we are going to get it. Come, granny, speak the word,--say we +may go." + +"I can't say, positively," said Mrs. Dorrance, "until I write to Mr. +Lloyd and see what he thinks of it. If he agrees to the plan, I suppose +we might try it. But it is all so uncertain." + +"Never mind the uncertainty," said Dorothy; "just leave it all to me. +Now see here, grandmother, for twelve years you've looked after us +children, and taken care of us, and now, I think we're getting old +enough to look after ourselves. Anyway, let us try it. Let us all go up +to the Domain, and spend the summer there. We'll do the best we can, and +if we fail it will be our own fault. You're not to have any +responsibility, you're just to be there as a kind of guardian angel and +general adviser. Nothing very dreadful can happen to us,--at least, +nothing half so dreadful as staying in the city all summer. Now just +write to Mr. Lloyd, and don't ask his opinion, but tell him you've +decided to do this, and just ask him how to get there." + +"We can tell how to get there, ourselves," said Leicester; "let's look +it up on the map. Fairy, get the big atlas, will you?" + +Though Fairy was always called upon to wait on the other children, it +was by no means an imposition, for the child was always dancing around +the room anyway, and dearly loved to do things for people. + +Soon three of the Dorrance children were gathered around the table +studying the map. Fairy, in order to see better, had climbed up on the +table, and was eagerly following with her tiny forefinger the track of +Leicester's pencil. + +"It isn't so very far, after all," he announced. "It's just across the +ferry, and then up on the railroad till you get to it. It looks awfully +near. Oh, I wish we were going to start to-morrow." + +"Why can't we?" said Lilian, who always favored quick action. + +"There's _no_ reason," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling at the impetuous +children; "of course we can _just_ as well take the seven o'clock train +to-morrow morning as not!" + +"Now you're teasing, grandma," said Lilian; "truly, when can we go?" + +"Just the minute school closes," answered Dorothy. "I suppose we must +stay for that,--I must, anyway; but we could get off the last week in +May." + +Here the announcement of dinner put an end to their planning for the +present, but so gay of heart were they over their happy anticipations, +that for once they didn't mind the gloomy dining-room and their +irritating fellow boarders. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE DEPARTURE + + +After several interviews with Mr. Lloyd, and after discussing the matter +with several other friends whose advice she valued, Mrs. Dorrance +concluded that it was best to try Dorothy's plan. It did seem hard to +keep the children in the city all summer, and however the experiment +might result it could do no great harm in any way. + +They were to start the last week in May, and though Mr. Lloyd had +offered to go up with them, Grandma Dorrance had concluded that would +not be necessary. + +For all Mrs. Dorrance's gentle, helpless manner, the fine old lady had a +certain reserve force, which often manifested itself in an unexpected +decision. + +Leicester, too, showed himself capable of rising to an emergency, and +now that there was occasion for him to be looked upon as the man of the +family, he determined to play well the part. He suddenly seemed to be as +old as Dorothy, and though he deferred to her judgment, he made many +good suggestions which she was glad to accept. + +Indeed, the thought more than once occurred to Grandma Dorrance that the +experiences of the coming summer would teach the children a great deal, +and strengthen their characters in many ways, whatever else its results +might be. + +Not that the Dorrance children became sedate and responsible all at +once. By no means. Their discussions were quite as animated as formerly, +if not more so; and as the time of departure drew nearer, they became so +excited and excitable that had they not been going away, there is a +possibility that Mrs. Cooper might have invited them to do so. + +Many of their friends came to see them during their last few days in the +city, and nearly all brought them gifts or remembrances of some sort. + +Grandma Dorrance viewed with dismay the collection of souvenirs that the +children planned to take with them. It was the live gifts that troubled +her most, and she was finally obliged to stipulate that they should be +allowed to carry only one pet each. So Dorothy took a dog, a large and +beautiful St. Bernard, which she had owned for some years. But as he was +even less desirable in a boarding-house than children, they had been +obliged to make his home with a friend who lived on Long Island. Dorothy +had been in the habit of visiting him frequently, and a great friendship +existed between them. + +The twins chose a pair of rabbits, because they had never had any +rabbits before, and as Leicester said, "What's a Domain without +rabbits?" + +Fairy hesitated long, between a kitten and a canary, but finally chose +the kitten, as being less trouble and more comfort; and the bird was +about to be returned to its donor. But Grandma Dorrance declared that +she too was entitled to a pet and would take the bird for hers, +whereupon Fairy was ecstatically happy. + + * * * * * + +It was a difficult caravan to plan and to move, but one Monday morning +the departure was successfully accomplished. + +Two carriages and a dray-load of trunks and boxes formed the procession. + +Mrs. Dorrance had concluded that much of the necessary work of the +house, especially at first, would be too hard for the girls; and had +therefore decided to take with them a strong young Irish girl to help. + +One of the waitresses, who was about to leave Mrs. Cooper's service +anyway, seemed just the right one. Her name was Tessie, and she was a +devoted friend of the young Dorrances. Her Irish sense of humor made her +delight in their pranks, and it was to the satisfaction of all that she +accompanied the party. + +They crossed the city without attracting attention, but the procession +that filed onto the ferry-boat could not long remain unnoticed. + +Fairy persisted in dancing ahead, and then dancing back to know which +way to go next. She carried her kitten in a basket, and talked to it +incessantly through the slats. Lilian carried the bird-cage, and +Leicester, a box containing the rabbits. Dorothy led her big dog by a +leash, and as she had assumed a sudden dignity, born of the occasion, +she made with the magnificent and stately animal beside her, an +impressive picture. Tessie was entrusted with the care of Grandma +Dorrance; and this was a wise arrangement, for though accustomed to +traveling, Mrs. Dorrance was also accustomed to lean on some one else +for the responsibilities of the trip. + +Dorothy saw this more plainly than ever during their journey, and +resolved more strongly than ever that she would relieve her grandmother +of all possible care, and be a real help and support to her. + +It was just as she reached this decision that Fairy lifted the lid of +her basket and peeped in to talk to the kitten. But she opened the lid a +trifle too wide and the frightened kitten jumped out and ran to the edge +of the deck, where the poor little thing sat quivering, and shivering, +and apparently just about to tumble into the water. + +Involuntarily the four Dorrances gave one of their best concerted +groans. The low moaning notes and the final shriek roused Dare, the +great dog, to a sudden wild excitement. Breaking away from Dorothy's +hold, he flew after the tiny Maltese kitten, and taking her head in his +mouth, rescued her from imminent peril. + +But Fairy, not appreciating that it was a rescue, looked upon it as a +massacre, and began to howl piteously. Whereupon Dare deposited the +squirming kitten at Fairy's feet, and added his bark, which was no faint +one, to the general pandemonium. + +All of which so disturbed poor Mrs. Dorrance, that she was glad to have +Tessie lead her into the cabin, and there make her as comfortable as +possible with a pillow and some smelling-salts. + +Meantime peace and quiet had been restored to the party on deck, and +they were waving joyful farewells to the tall buildings on Manhattan +Island. + +"There's the old Flatiron," cried Leicester; "good-bye, old Flatiron! +hope I won't see you again for a long while." + +"There's the new Flatiron too," cried Lilian. "I don't want to see that +again for ever so long, either." + +"You'll see flatirons enough, my lady," said Dorothy, "when you find +yourself doing the laundry work for a large and able-bodied family." + +"I won't have to do that, will I?" cried Lilian, aghast; "nobody told me +that!" + +"Well, we needn't wash the clothes," said Dorothy; "but likely we'll +have to help iron; that is, if we wear any white dresses." + +"I'll promise not to wear any white dresses," said Leicester. + +"I don't care what I wear, if we just once get into the country," said +Lilian. "Oh Dorothy, what _do_ you suppose it will be like?" + +"Just like Mrs. Cooper's," said Dorothy, smiling. + +"Well it can't be like that," said Lilian; "and so I don't care what it +is." + +Another excitement came when they were all getting packed into the +train. Dare had to travel in the baggage-car, of which he expressed his +disapproval by long and continuous growlings. The rabbits were put +there, too, but they made less fuss about it. + +The bird and the kitten were allowed in the car with the children, and +this arrangement added to the general gayety. + +Although Mrs. Dorrance naturally considered herself in charge of the +expedition, and though Dorothy felt sure she was, and though Leicester +hoped he might be, yet it was really quick-witted Tessie who looked +after things and kept matters straight. + +The ride through northern New Jersey was not picturesque, and as there +was very little to look at from the windows, the four soon returned to +their favorite game of guessing what the new home would be like. + +"What shall we call it?" asked Leicester; "it ought to have a name." + +"And a nice one, too," said Dorothy; "for, do you know, I think we shall +live there always." + +"Wait 'til you see it," said Lilian; "we may not even want to stay over +night." + +"We couldn't stay always," said Fairy; "how would we go to school?" + +"I suppose we couldn't," said Dorothy; "but after we all get through +school, then we can; and it will be lovely to have a home of our own, +so let's get a good name for it." + +"Why not the Domain?" said Leicester. "That's what we've always called +it, and so it sounds natural." + +"That isn't enough by itself," said Dorothy. "How do you like the +Dorrance Domain?" + +They all liked this, and so The Dorrance Domain was decided upon, and +they all rushed to tell grandma the name of her new home. + +It was noon when the train reached the Ponetcong Station. Here they all +bundled out, bag and baggage, children and animals. But as the boat, in +which they were to continue their journey did not leave until one +o'clock, there was ample time to get some luncheon,--which more than +pleased the four hungry Dorrances. Upon inquiry, they were directed to a +small country hotel and soon found themselves confronted with many small +portions of not over-attractive looking viands. + +But for once, the children cared little about what they ate or how it +was served, so eager were they at the prospect of soon reaching their +new home. + +"What do you suppose it will be like?" said Lilian, quite as if she were +propounding a brand-new conundrum. + +"I've s'posed everything I can possibly think of," said Leicester; "but +I'm willing to guess again if you want me to." + +"It isn't worth while guessing much more," said Dorothy; "for very soon +we will _know_. Now, Lilian, you and Fairy stay here with grandma, and +Leicester and I will go over to that little store across the street and +buy some things to take with us for supper to-night. Tessie may go too, +to help us carry them." + +But this plan was far from acceptable. + +"That isn't fair!" cried Lilian; "buying things for our own home is the +most fun yet, and I think we all ought to go together." + +"So do I," said Fairy. "Let Tessie stay with grandma, and us four will +go to purchase the eatabubbles." + +Fairy did not stutter, but, when excited, she was apt to put extra +syllables in her words. + +"Come on, then," said Dorothy, and with Dare bounding beside them, the +four ran across the road to the little grocery shop. + +"Let's be very sensible," said Dorothy, "and get just the right things. +You know young housekeepers always do ridiculous things when they go to +buy provisions. Now what do we need most?" + +"Bread," said the twins together, and surely nobody could have +criticised their suggestion as ridiculous. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, and then turning to the grocer, she said politely, +"Have you any bread?" + +"Yes, miss," replied the grocer, staring in amazement at the four +excited children; "what kind?" + +"Why, just bread," said Dorothy; "fresh bread, you know. Is there more +than one kind?" + +"Yes, miss. Square loaf, long loaf, twist loaf and raisin bread." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, appalled by this superabundant variety. + +But Leicester came to the rescue. "Raisin bread," said he; "that's the +kind. And then we want some butter, if you please." + +"Print, pat or tub?" + +"Oh, not a whole tub full," said Dorothy, diligently trying to be +sensible; "we couldn't carry a tub. I think we'll take a--a print." + +"Yes, miss; anything else?" + +The weight of responsibility was so great, that no one spoke for a +moment, and then Fairy, in a burst of confidence began: + +"You see, mister, we've never bought anything before; we've just eaten +other people's things; but now we've got a home of our own, a really +truly home, and these things are to eat in it. So of course you see we +have to be very careful what we buy. We're trying very hard to be +sensible housekeepers, 'cause my sister says we must, and she knows +everything in the world. And so if you could 'vise us a little, we'd +know better 'bout selectioning." + +After this speech, a few questions from the grocer resulted in a frank +and straightforward statement of the case by Dorothy, and then a +judicious selection was made of immediate necessities for the commissary +department of The Dorrance Domain. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MAMIE MEAD + + +As the man of the family and courier of the expedition, Leicester had +assumed an air of importance, and looked after the baggage checks, +tickets and time-tables with an effect of official guardianship. + +"Why, it's a steamboat!" exclaimed Fairy, as a diminutive steamer came +puffing up to the dock. "I thought it would be a canal-boat." + +"People don't travel to a Domain in a canal-boat, my child," said +Leicester, instructively. + +"But you said we'd go on the canal," insisted Fairy; "and I want to see +what a canal is like. There is one in my geography----" + +"Skip aboard, kidlums, and you'll soon see what a canal is like," said +Leicester, who was marshaling his party over the gangplank. + +The _Mamie Mead_ was the very smallest steamboat the children had ever +seen, and it seemed like playing house to establish themselves on its +tiny deck. Dare seemed to find it inadequate to his ideas of proportion, +and he stalked around, knocking over chairs and camp-stools with a fine +air of indifference. + +Grandma Dorrance, who by this time was rather tired by the journey, was +made as comfortable as possible, and then the children prepared to enjoy +the excitements of their first trip on a canal. + +The smoothness of the water amazed them all, and they wondered why it +wasn't more like a river. + +The locks, especially, aroused awe and admiration. + +By the time they went through the first gate they had made the +acquaintance of the captain, and could watch the performance more +intelligently. It seemed nothing short of magic to watch the great gates +slowly close, and then to feel their own boat rising slowly but +steadily, as the water rushed in from the upper sluice. + +"It's just like Noah and the Ark," exclaimed Fairy, "when the floods +made them go up and up." + +"It's exactly like that," agreed Dorothy, as the waters kept rising; +"and we've nearly as many animals on board as he had." + +All too soon they had risen to the level of the lake, and another pair +of great gates swung open to let them through. + +"Are we going to stay on top?" asked Fairy; "or must we go down again?" + +"You'll stay on top this time, little missie," said good-natured old +Captain Kane, smiling at Fairy. "This boat ain't no submarine to dive +down into the lake." + +"But you dived up into the lake," insisted Fairy. + +"That was the only way to get here, miss. But any day you would like to +go back and dive down, here's the man that will take you. The _Mamie +Mead_ is always glad of passengers. She don't get none too many +nowadays." + +"Why doesn't she?" asked Leicester, with interest. + +"Well, you see, sir, since the hotel's been empty, they ain't no call +for _Mamie_ much. So whenever you kids wants a free ride, just come +down to the dock and wave something. If so be's I'm goin' by, I'll stop +and take you on. Is the place you're goin' near the hotel?" + +"Near the hotel!" cried Dorothy; "why we're going _to_ the hotel." + +"You can't. 'Tain't open." + +"I know it," said Dorothy; "but it will be when we get there. We have +all the keys." + +"For the land's sake! And what are you goin' to do there?" + +"We're going to live there," exclaimed Leicester; "we own the +place,--that is, my grandmother does." + +"Own it? Own the Dorrance place?" + +"Yes; we're all Dorrances." + +"For the land's sake! Well, when you want to go down to the station for +anything, this here boat's at your service,--that is, if I'm up this +way." + +"Do you come up this way often?" asked Dorothy, who appreciated the +possible value of this offer. + +"I allus comes once a week, miss. I goes over to Dolan's Point every +Saturday. Will you be here till Saturday?" + +"Saturday! Why we're going to stay all summer." + +"Beggin' your pardon, miss, but I don't think as how you will. Just the +few of you shakin' around in that big hotel! It's ridikilus!" + +"Ridiculous or not, we're going to do it," said Leicester, stoutly; "but +we thank you for your offer, Captain Kane, and very likely we'll be glad +to accept it." + +"Well, there's your home," said Captain Kane, as a large white building +began to be visible through the trees. + +Without a word, the Dorrance children looked in the direction the +captain indicated. + +High up on the sloping shore of the lake, they saw a great house which +seemed to be an interminable length of tall, white columns supporting +tiers of verandas. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that can't be it! that great, big place!" + +"It looks like the Pantheon," said Lilian. + +"You mean the Parthenon," said Leicester; "but I never can tell them +apart, myself. Anyway, if that's the Dorrance Domain, it's all right! +What do you think, Fairy?" + +Fairy looked at the big hotel, and then said thoughtfully, "I guess +we'll have room enough." + +"I guess we will," cried Dorothy, laughing; and then they all ran to +Grandma Dorrance, to show her the wonderful sight. + +The good lady was also astounded at the enormous size of the hotel, and +greatly impressed with the beauty of the scene. It was about three +o'clock, on a lovely May afternoon, and the hotel, which faced the west, +gleamed among trees which shaded from the palest spring tints to the +dark evergreens. It was at the top of a high slope, but behind it was a +background of other hills, and in the distance, mountains. + +"_Aren't_ you glad we came? Oh, grannymother, _aren't_ you glad we +came?" cried Dorothy, clasping her hands in ecstasy. + +"Indeed I am, dear; but I had no idea it was such an immense house. How +can we take care of it?" + +"That question will come later," said Leicester; "the thing is now, how +shall we get to it. How _do_ people get to it, Captain Kane?" + +"Steps," answered the captain, laconically. + +"Up from the dock?" + +"Yep; a hundred and forty of 'em." + +"Oh, how can grandmother climb all those?" + +"Settin'-places all the way along," suggested the captain, cheerfully. + +"Oh, you mean landing-places on the stair-way?" + +"Yep; so folks can rest. I guess your grandma'll get up all right; but +what about all your trunks and things?" + +"Why I don't know," said Leicester, suddenly losing his air of capable +importance. + +"Well, there's old Hickox; you might get him." + +"Where can we find Mr. Hickox?" + +"He's most generally settin' around the dock. Favorite restin'-place of +his. Think I can see him there now." + +After a few moments more the _Mamie Mead_ bumped against the dock. + +"Our own dock!" cried Dorothy; "oh, isn't it gorgeous!" + +Probably such an excited crowd had never before landed from the _Mamie +Mead_. The children all talked at once; Grandma Dorrance seemed +rejuvenated by the happy occasion; Tessie was speechless with delight; +Dare gave short, sharp barks expressive of deep satisfaction and the +canary bird burst into his most jubilant song. Doubtless the kitten was +purring contentedly, if not audibly. + +The trunks and other luggage were put out on the dock, and Mr. Hickox +sauntered up and viewed them with an air of great interest. + +"I guess this is where I come in handy," he said, with a broad smile and +a deferential bob of his head that somehow seemed to serve as a general +introduction all around. + +Mr. Hickox was a strange looking man. He was very tall, indeed, by far +the tallest man the children had ever seen; and he was also very thin. +Or perhaps _lean_ is a more expressive word to describe Mr. Hickox, for +he gave no impression of ill-health, or emaciation, but rather the +leanness of muscular strength. His brown hair and side-whiskers were +touched with gray, and his tanned face was wrinkled, but he did not seem +like an old man. His blue eyes twinkled with good-humor, and his voice +was delightfully kind. + +Instinctively the Dorrance children felt that they had found a friend in +this strange man, and they were grateful. + +"Could you tell us, sir," said Leicester, "how we are going to get these +trunks and things up to the hotel?" + +"Well, yes, I can tell you that. I'm going to lug them up myself." + +"What, carry them?" said Leicester, in surprise. + +"Well, no; not carry them,--not exactly carry them. You see I've got a +little contraption of my own; a sort of cart or dray, and I'll just put +all that duffle of yours into it, and it'll be up to the top before +you're there yourselves." + +"You don't drag it up the stairs!" + +"No, I go up the back way,--a roundabout, winding path of my own. But +don't you worry,--don't worry,--Hickox'll look after things. It'll be +all right." + +Although Mr. Hickox spoke in short staccato jerks, his remarks seemed to +carry authority; and nodding his head in a manner peculiar to himself, +he went off after his cart. + +"He's all right, he is," declared Captain Kane; "but his old woman, she +isn't so right. But never mind 'bout that. You'll see old Mrs. Hickox +sooner or later and then you can size her up for yourself. Well, me and +_Mamie_ must be gettin' along. You all jest stay here till Hickox comes +back, and he'll get you up the hill all right." + +As Captain Kane went away the children could hear him chuckling to +himself, and murmuring, "Goin' to live in the hotel! well, well!" + +As Grandma Dorrance would want frequent rests by the way, Dorothy +proposed that she should start on up the steps with Tessie, while the +rest waited for Mr. Hickox. + +That long specimen of humanity soon came briskly along, trundling a +queer sort of push-cart, which it was quite evident was of home +manufacture. + +"I made it myself," he declared, pointing with pride to the ungainly +vehicle. "I was surprised that I could do it," he added modestly; "Mrs. +Hickox, she was surprised, too. But she generally is surprised. You +don't know my wife, do you?" + +"No," said Dorothy, politely; "we haven't that pleasure." + +"H'm," said Mr. Hickox, rubbing down his side-whiskers; "she's a nice +woman,--a very nice woman, but you must take her easy. Yes, when you +meet her, you must certainly take her easy. She doesn't like to be +surprised." + +"Do you think she will be surprised at us?" asked Lilian, who was well +aware that many people thought the Dorrances surprising. + +"Yes; I think she will. I certainly think she will. Why, to tell the +truth, I'm some surprised at you myself,--and I ain't half so easy +surprised as Mrs. Hickox." + +As he talked, Mr. Hickox was bundling the luggage into his cart. He +picked up trunks and boxes as if they weighed next to nothing, and +deposited them neatly and compactly in his queer vehicle. + +"Any of the live stock to go?" he inquired. + +"No," said Dorothy, "we'll take the animals; unless,--yes, you might +take the rabbits; their cage is so heavy." + +"Yes, do," said Leicester; "then I'll carry the bird-cage, and you girls +can manage the dog and the kitten." + +So everything else was put into the dray, even the provisions they had +bought at the grocery shop, and the children watched with astonishment, +as Mr. Hickox started off, easily pushing the load along a winding path. + +"He's the strongest man I ever saw," exclaimed Leicester; "and I'd like +to go along with him to see how he does it." + +"No, you come with us," said Fairy, dancing around, and clasping her +brother's hand; "come on; now we're going up a million steps and then we +will come to our own Domain." + +Climbing the steps was anything but a work of toil, for continually new +delights met their eyes, and they paused often to exclaim and comment. + +About half-way up they found grandma and Tessie sitting on one of the +small landings, waiting for them. + +"Now we'll go the rest of the way together," said Dorothy, "for we must +all see our Domain at the same time. Go as slowly as you like, +grandmother, we're in no hurry." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DORRANCE DOMAIN + + +Alternately resting and climbing, at last they reached the top, and for +the first time had a full view of the Dorrance Domain. + +"Oh," said Dorothy in an awe-struck whisper, "that's our home! All of +it!" + +Leicester, from sheer lack of words to express his feelings, turned +double somersaults on the grass, while Fairy danced around in her usual +flutterbudget way, singing at the top of her voice. + +Lilian, the practical, after one look at the great building, said +excitedly, "Grandmother, where are the keys, quick?" + +The hotel itself was a white frame building, about two hundred feet long +and three stories high. Huge pillars supported verandas that ran all +around the house on each story. Broad steps led up to the main +entrance, and at one corner was a large tower which rose for several +stories above the main part of the house. + +Although the whole place had a deserted aspect,--the shutters were all +closed, and the lawns uncared for,--yet it did not seem out of repair, +or uninhabitable. Indeed, the apparent care with which it had been +closed up and made secure was reassuring in itself, and the children +eagerly followed Lilian who had gained possession of the front door key. + +With little difficulty they succeeded in unfastening the great front +doors and threw them wide open to admit the May sunshine. + +They found themselves at first in a large hall which ran straight +through the house. It was furnished in red, with a velvet carpet and +satin brocade sofas, which seemed to the Dorrances quite the most +beautiful furnishings they had ever looked upon. + +Arched off from this hall was a good-sized room, which Leicester +declared to be the office, and as soon as the windows of that could be +thrown open, the desks and safe and other office furniture proved he was +right. Opening a wicket door, he flew in behind the great desk, and +throwing open a large book which was there, he turned it around towards +Dorothy with a flourish, and asked her to register. + +"Oh," she cried, wild with excitement, "it's just like the Sleeping +Beauty's palace. Everything is just as they went off and left it. Who +registered last, Leicester?" + +"The last is Mr. Henry Sinclair, who arrived here in July, summer before +last." + +"And nobody's been here since!" exclaimed Lilian; "just think of it! It +seems as if we ought to register." + +"You may if you like," said Leicester; "it's our register, you know." + +But the ink was all dried up, and the pens all rusty, so they left the +office and went to make further explorations. + +Across the hall from the office was the great parlor. Many hands make +light work at opening windows, and in a jiffy the parlor was flooded +with sunshine. + +Then there were more exclamations of delight, for the parlor +appointments were truly palatial. Gorgeous frescoes and wall +decorations, mirrors in heavily gilded frames, brocaded hangings, ornate +furniture, and a wonderful crystal chandelier made a general effect that +contrasted most pleasurably with Mrs. Cooper's unpretentious +drawing-room. + +Even a piano was there, and flinging it open, Dorothy struck up a brisk +two-step, and in a moment the twins were dancing up and down the long +room, while Fairy, who had been dancing all the time, simply kept on. + +Grandma Dorrance sank onto a sofa and watched her happy grandchildren, +no less happy herself. + +It was a daring experiment, and she did not know how it would turn out, +but she was glad that at last she was able to give the children, for a +time at least, that desire of their heart,--a home in the country. + +After the grand parlor, and several smaller reception rooms, all equally +attractive, they went back across the hall, and through the office to +investigate the other side of the house. Here they found the +dining-rooms. One immense one, containing a perfect forest of tables +and chairs, and two smaller ones. + +One of the smaller ones which overlooked the lake, Dorothy declared +should be their family dining-room. + +"There's more room in the big dining-room," said Lilian, slyly. + +"Yes, there is," said Dorothy; "and I _do_ hate to be cramped. Perhaps +we had better use the big one, and each one have a whole table all to +ourselves." + +"No," said Grandma Dorrance, "we'll use the small one every day, and +then some time when we invite all Mrs. Cooper's family to visit us, we +can use the large one." + +"Oh," groaned Lilian, "don't mention Mrs. Cooper's dining-room while +we're in this one." + +After the dining-rooms came the kitchens, supplied with everything the +most exacting housekeeper could desire; but all on the large scale +requisite for a summer hotel. + +"I should think _anybody_ could cook here," said Dorothy; "and as I +propose to do the cooking for the family, I'm glad everything is so +complete and convenient." + +"You never can cook up all these things," said Fairy, looking with awe +at the rows of utensils; "not even if we have seventeen meals a day." + +"_Will_ you look at the dish towels!" exclaimed Lilian, throwing open +the door of a cupboard, where hundreds of folded dish towels were +arranged in neat piles. + +At this climax, Mrs. Dorrance sank down on a wooden settle that stood in +the kitchen, and clasping her hands, exclaimed, "It's too much, girls, +it's too big; we never can do anything with it." + +"Now you mustn't look at it that way, granny, dear," said Dorothy, +brightly; "this is our home; and you know, be it ever so humble, there's +no place like home. And if a home and all its fixings are too big, +instead of too little, why, you'll have to manage it somehow just the +same. Of course, I'm overpowered too, at this enormous place, but I +won't own up to it! I will _never_ admit to _anybody_ that I think the +rooms or the house unusually large. I _like_ a big house, and I like +spacious rooms! I _hate_ to be cramped,--as possibly you may have heard +me remark before." + +"Good for you, Dot!" cried Leicester. "I won't be phased either. We're +here, and we're here to stay. We're not going to be scared off by a few +square miles of red velvet carpet, and some sixty-foot mirrors!" + +"I think the place rather small, myself," said Lilian, who rarely +allowed herself to be outdone in jesting; "I confess _I_ have a little +of that cramped feeling yet." + +At this they all laughed, and went on with their tour of the house. +Merely taking a peep into the numerous pantries, laundries, storerooms +and servants' quarters, they concluded to go at once to inspect the +bedrooms. + +"Don't go up these stairs," said Leicester turning away from the side +staircase. "Let's go back to the main hall, and go up the grand +staircase, as if we had just arrived, and were being shown to our +rooms." + +"Oh, _isn't_ it fun!" cried Fairy, as she hopped along by her brother's +side. "I never had such a fun in my whole life! Wouldn't it be awful if +we were really guests instead of purporietors?" + +"_You_ wouldn't be a guest," said Leicester, teasingly; "no +well-conducted summer hotel would take a flibbertigibbet like you to +board!" + +"Nobody would take us Dorrances to board anyway, if they could help it," +said Fairy, complacently; "we all know how obnoxiorous we are." + +"I know," said Grandma Dorrance, sighing; "and if we can only make a +little corner of this big place habitable, I shall certainly feel a +great relief in not being responsible for you children to any landlady." + +"Oh, come now, granny, we're not so bad, are we?" said Leicester, +patting the old lady's cheek. + +"You're not bad at all. You're the best children in the world. But just +so sure as you get shut up in a boarding-house you get possessed of a +spirit of mischief, and I never know what you are going to do next. But +up here I don't _care_ what you do next." + +By this time they had reached the entrance hall, and assuming the air +of a proprietor, Leicester, with an elaborate flourish and a profound +bow, said suavely: + +"Ah, Mrs. Dorrance, I believe. Would you like to look at our rooms, +madam? We have some very fine suites on the second floor that I feel +sure will please you. Are these your children, madam?" + +"We're her grandchildren," volunteered Fairy, anxious to be in the game. + +"Incredible! Such a young and charming lady with grandchildren! Now I +should have said _you_ were the grandmother," with another elaborate bow +to Fairy. + +Laughing at Leicester's nonsense, they all went up-stairs together, and +discovered a perfect maze of bedrooms. + +Scattering in different directions, the children opened door after door, +pulled up blinds, and flung open windows, and screamed to each other to +come and see their discoveries. Tessie followed the tribe around, +wondering if she were really in fairyland. The unsophisticated Irish +girl had never seen a house like this before, and to think it belonged +to the people with whom she was to live, suddenly filled her with a +great awe of the Dorrance family. + +"Do you like it, Tessie?" asked Mrs. Dorrance, seeing the girl's amazed +expression. + +"Oh, yis, mum! Shure, I niver saw anything so grand, mum. It's a castle, +it is." + +"That's right, Tessie," said Leicester; "a castle is the same as a +domain. And all these millions of bedrooms are part of our Domain. Our +very own! Hooray for the Dorrance Domain!" + +The wild cheer that accompanied and followed Leicester's hurrah must +have been audible on the other side of Lake Ponetcong. At any rate it +served as a sort of escape-valve for their overflowing enthusiasm, which +otherwise must soon have gotten beyond their control. + +"I think," said Mrs. Dorrance, "that it would be wise for you each to +select the bedroom you prefer,--for to-night at least. If you choose to +change your minds to-morrow, I don't know of any one who will object." + +"Oh!" said Lilian, "to think of changing your room in a hotel just as +often as you like, and nobody caring a bit! I shall have a different one +every night." + +"That won't be my plan," said her grandmother, laughing; "I think I +shall keep the one I'm in, for mine, and make no change." + +As it was a large, pleasant, southwest room, with a delightful view of +the lake, it was thought to be just the one for grandma, and they all +willingly agreed. + +"Do you suppose there are sheets and pillow-slips and things?" asked +Dorothy, and a pell-mell rush of four explorers soon brought about the +discovery of a wonderful linen room. + +Grandma and Tessie were called to look, and all exclaimed at the sight. +It was a large room with shelves on all four sides and the shelves were +piled with neatly-folded clean linen,--sheets, counterpanes, +towels,--everything that was necessary. + +"Whoever left this house last," said grandma, "was a wonderful +housekeeper. I should like to see her and compliment her personally." + +"Shure, it's wonderful, mum!" said Tessie, still a little dazed by the +succession of wonders. + +"Well then, children," went on grandma, "pick out your rooms, and Tessie +can make up your beds for you, and when Mr. Hickox brings the trunks, +they can be brought right up here." + +"How clever you are, grannymother," cried Dorothy, kissing her. "I said +I'd direct the arrangements,--and yet I never once thought of all that." + +"Never mind, dearie, we don't expect an old head to grow on young +shoulders all at once. And besides, you'll have enough to do +down-stairs. Did I hear you say you're going to get supper? And is +anybody going to build a fire in the kitchen?" + +"I'll build the fire," cried Leicester, "just as soon as I select my +room from the hotel clerk." + +The boy ran down the hall and in a few moments returned, saying that he +had made a selection, and would take the tower-room. + +Of course they all flew to see it, and found a large octagon-shaped +room with windows on five sides, leaving only enough wall space for the +necessary furniture. But it was a beautiful room, "just like being +outdoors," Leicester said, and they all applauded his choice. + +Just then the door-bell was heard to ring, and this gave the children a +new sensation. + +"Our own door-bell!" cried Dorothy; "only to think of that! Tessie, +please go down to the door!" and Tessie went, with the four Dorrances +following close behind her. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MR. HICKOX + + +It was Mr. Hickox who was at the door. By a winding path he had pushed +his cart full of luggage up the hill, and now expressed his willingness +to deposit the goods where they belonged. + +The big man seemed to think nothing of carrying the trunks, one after +another, up to the bedrooms; and meantime the children carried the +provisions to the kitchen. + +Although Dorothy was nominally housekeeper, and wanted to assume entire +charge of all household arrangements, Grandma Dorrance had a long and +serious talk with Mr. Hickox regarding ways and means. + +It was most satisfactory; for whenever any apparent difficulty arose, +the kind-hearted man summarily disposed of it by waving his hand and +remarking: "Don't worry. Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all +right!" + +So convincing was his attitude that Mrs. Dorrance at last felt satisfied +that there were no serious obstacles in their path; and like the +sensible lady she was, she determined to let Dorothy have full power and +manage her new home in any way she saw fit. + +Dorothy's nature was, perhaps, a little over-confident. She was not +inclined to hesitate at anything; indeed, the more difficult the +undertaking, the greater her determination to succeed. + +And so, when Mrs. Dorrance informed Mr. Hickox that Miss Dorothy was the +housekeeper, and was in authority, Dorothy rose to the occasion and +assumed at once a certain little air of dignity and responsibility that +sat well upon her. + +She, too, was encouraged by Mr. Hickox's continued assertions that it +would be all right. + +She learned from him that the nearest place where they might buy +provisions was Woodville, where a certain Mr. Bill Hodges kept a store. +His wares included everything that a country store usually deals in, +"and Bill himself," said Mr. Hickox, "is just the cleverest man in these +parts." + +"How do we get there?" asked Leicester, who had declared his willingness +to consider going to market as part of his share of the work. + +"Well, there're several ways. Haven't got a horse, have you?" Mr. Hickox +said this casually, as if he thought Leicester might have one in his +pocket. + +"No," said Leicester; "we don't own a horse. Is it too far to walk?" + +"No; 'tain't any too much of a sprint for young legs like yours. It's +two miles around by the road and over the bridge. But it's only a mile +across by the boat." + +"But we haven't any boat." + +"Haven't any boat! well I should say you had. Why there is half-a-dozen +rowboats belongs to this hotel; and a catboat too, and a sneak-box,--my +land! you've got everything but a steamboat." + +"And Captain Kane said we could use his steamboat," cried Dorothy, +gleefully; "so we've really got a whole navy at our disposal!" + +"So you have, so you have," agreed Mr. Hickox, rubbing his long hands +together, in a curious way he had; "and don't you worry. Whenever you +want anything that you can't get with your navy, Hickox'll look after +it. It'll be all right!" + +"Do you live near here, Mr. Hickox?" asked Lilian. + +"Well, yes, miss. Just a piece up the road. And if you want some nice +fresh garden truck, now and then,--just now and then;--we haven't got +enough to supply you regular." + +"We'll be very glad to have it, whenever you can spare it," said +Dorothy; "I'll send for it." + +"Well, no, Miss Dorothy. I'd some rather you wouldn't send for it. You +see Mrs. Hickox she's apt to--to be surprised at anything like that." + +"Oh, very well," said Dorothy; "bring it whenever it's convenient. We're +always glad of fresh vegetables. And eggs,--do you have eggs?" + +"Now and again,--just now and again. But when we have them to spare I'll +bring 'em. It'll be all right. Now I must jog along; Mrs. Hickox will be +surprised if I don't get home pretty soon." + +"One thing more, Mr. Hickox," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Are there ever any +burglars or marauders around this neighborhood?" + +"Land, no, ma'm! Bless your heart, don't you worry a mite! Such a thing +was never heard of in these parts. Burglars! ho, ho, well I guess not! +Why I've never locked my front door in my life, and I never knew anybody +around here that did." + +After Mr. Hickox's departure, Leicester observed thoughtfully, "What a +very surprisable woman Mrs. Hickox seems to be." + +"Yes," agreed Dorothy; "I'm anxious to see her. I think I'd like to +surprise her a few times." + +"Well, he's a nice man," said Lilian; "I like him." + +"Yes, he is nice," said Leicester; "and isn't that jolly about the +boats? I'm going right out to hunt them up." + +"Hold on, my First Gold-Stick-In-Waiting," said Dorothy; "I think you +promised to make a kitchen fire." + +"Sure enough, Major-domo," returned Leicester, gaily; "I'll do that in a +jiffy. Where's the kindling-wood?" + +"Where's the kindling-wood, indeed," returned Dorothy; "_you_'re to make +the fire, and you're also to make the kindling-wood, and the paper and +the matches! I'm not employing assistants who don't assist." + +"All right, my lady. I'll make your fire, even if I have to split up +that big settle for fire-wood." + +With a wild whoop, Leicester disappeared in the direction of the +kitchen. + +"Oh, grannymother," cried Dorothy, "isn't it splendid that we can make +just as much noise as we want to! Now you sit right here on the veranda, +and enjoy the view; and don't you budge until you're called to supper." +And with another war-whoop scarcely less noisy than her brother's, +Dorothy went dancing through the big rooms, followed by her two +sisters. + +When she reached the kitchen, she found a fine fire blazing in the +range. + +Leicester sat on the settle, with his hands in his pockets, and wearing +a complacent air of achievement. + +"Anything the matter with that fire?" he inquired. + +"How did you ever do it in such a minute?" cried his twin, gazing +admiringly at her brother. + +"Magic," said Leicester. + +"Magic in the shape of Tessie," said Dorothy, laughing, as the +good-natured Irish girl appeared from the pantry. + +"Right you are," said Leicester; "that's Tessie's own fire. And she +didn't have to split up the furniture, for she says there's lots of wood +and coal in the cellar." + +"Well, did you ever!" cried Dorothy; "I wouldn't be a bit surprised to +learn that there was a gold mine in the parlor, or a pearl fishery up in +the tower." + +"I'd rather learn that there is something to eat somewhere," said +Leicester; "I'm simply starving. What's the use of three sisters if +they can't get a fellow some supper?" + +"That's so," agreed Dorothy; "and we all must go right to work. You +can't help with this part, Leicester. You skip away now, your turn will +come later. Now girls," she went on, as Leicester vanished, not without +the usual accompaniment of an ear-splitting yell, "we're going to have +an awful lot of fun; and we can make just as much noise and racket as we +please; but all the same there's a lot of work to be done, and we're +going to do it, and do it properly. It's a great deal easier if we have +system and method, and so we'll divide up the work and each of us must +do our own part, and do it thoroughly and promptly." + +"Hear, hear!" cried Lilian, who adored her older sister, and was more +than willing to obey her commands. + +"What can I do?" screamed Fairy, who was dancing round and round the +kitchen, perching now on the window-seat, now on the table, and now on +the back or arm of the old settle. + +"We must each have our definite work," went on Dorothy, who was herself +sitting on the back of a chair with her feet on the wooden seat. "Tessie +will have her share, but she can't do everything. So there's plenty for +us to do. Grandma is not to do a thing, that's settled. If four women +and a man can't take care of one dear old lady, it's high time they +learned how." + +As the youngest of the four "women" was just then clambering up the +cupboard shelves, and singing lustily at the top of her voice, some +people might have thought that the dear old lady in question had an +uncertain outlook. But Dorothy was entirely undisturbed by the attitudes +of her audience, and continued her discourse. + +"I shall do the cooking,--that is, most of it. I'm a born cook, and I +love it; besides I want to learn, and so I'm going to try all sorts of +dishes, and you children will have to eat them,--good or bad." + +"I like to make cake and fancy desserts," said Lilian. + +"All right, you can make them. And I'll make croquettes and omelets, and +all sorts of lovely things, and Tessie can look after the boiling of +the potatoes and vegetables, and plain things like that. You haven't had +much experience in cooking, have you, Tessie?" + +"No, Miss Dorothy; but I'm glad to learn, and I'll do just whatever you +tell me." + +"Fairy can set the table, and help with the dusting. We girls will each +take care of our own rooms, and Tessie can take care of Leicester's. +I'll attend to grandma's room myself." + +"Let me help with that," said Lilian. + +"Yes, we'll all help; and we'll keep the parlors tidy, and Tessie can +wash the dishes and look after the dining-room and kitchen. Leicester +can help with the out-of-door work; the grass ought to be mowed and the +paths kept in order. But good gracious! none of this work is going to +amount to much. If we're spry, we can do it all up in less than no time, +and have hours and hours left every day to play, and read, and go out on +the lake, and tramp in the woods, and just enjoy ourselves. Oh, isn't it +great!" and jumping to the floor with a bang, Dorothy seized the hands +of the others, and in a moment all four were dancing around in a ring, +while the three Dorrance voices loudly proclaimed that there was no +place like home. + +Tessie had begun to grow accustomed to the boisterous young people, and +as she thought everything they did was nothing short of perfection, she +readily adapted herself to her own part. + +"What about the laundry-work, Miss Dorothy?" she asked. + +"Why, I don't know," said Dorothy. "I hadn't really thought of that. I +wonder if we can find a laundress anywhere around. We must ask Mr. +Hickox." + +"Now, Miss Dorothy, if you'll let me, I'm just sure I can do the washing +and ironing. With all these beautiful tubs and things, it'll be no +trouble at all, at all." + +"Why if you could, Tessie, that would be fine. Let me see, we won't have +many white dresses or fancy things, but there'll be lots of sheets and +table linen. You know we're a pretty big family." + +"Yes, miss; but I'm sure I can do it all. I'm strong, and I'm a good +washer." + +"Well, we'll try it, anyway," said Dorothy, "and see how you get along. +We girls will help a little more with your work on Mondays and Tuesdays, +and then I think it will all come out right." + +Dorothy was a singular mixture of capability and inconsequence. + +Her power of quick decision, and her confidence in her own ability, made +her words a little dictatorial; but the gentleness of her nature, and +the winning smile which accompanied her orders took from them any touch +of unpleasant authority. Dorothy's whole attitude was one of good +comradeship, and though much given to turbulent demonstration of her joy +of living, she was innately of an equable temperament and had never been +known to lose her temper. + +Lilian, on the other hand, was more excitable, and more prone to hasty +decisions which were afterwards rejected or revised. Lilian could get +very angry upon occasion, but she had a fine sense of justice; and if +she found herself in the wrong, she was more than ready to confess it +and to make amends. The two girls really exercised a good influence over +one another, and the bonds of affection between them were very strong. +Indeed the four Dorrances were a most loyal quartet; and though they +teased each other, and made fun of each other, it was always in an +honest good-humored spirit that was quite willing to take as much as it +gave. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +MRS. HICKOX + + +At six o'clock the family sat down to supper. + +Dorothy had a lingering desire to use the great dining-room, but Mrs. +Dorrance had persuaded her that it was far more sensible to use the +smaller one, and she had pleasantly acquiesced. + +Indeed the smaller one was a large apartment, about four times the size +of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room. The outlook across the lake was charming, +and the room itself prettily decorated and furnished. + +Fairy had wanted to use small tables, letting two sit at each table, but +again Grandma Dorrance had gently insisted on a family table. + +So the small tables had been taken from the room, and a good-sized round +dining-table substituted, at which Mrs. Dorrance presided. Leicester +sat opposite her, Dorothy on one side, and the two younger girls on the +other. + +Very attractive the table looked, for the china, glass and plated +silverware were all practically new, and of pretty design. Tessie was an +experienced and willing waitress; and it is safe to say that the +Dorrance family had never before so enjoyed a meal. + +Many hands had made light work, and Dorothy's had made light biscuits, +and also a delicious omelet. They had strawberry jam and potted cheese, +and some sliced boiled ham, all of which they had bought at the grocery +shop on the way up. + +"It's a sort of pick-up supper," said Dorothy; "but I'm not saying this +by way of apology. You will very often have a pick-up supper. Indeed, I +think almost always. We're going to have dinner in the middle of the +day, because that's the better arrangement in the country." + +Just at that moment, nobody seemed to care what the dinner hour might +be, so interested were they in the supper under consideration. + +"I think pick-ups are lovely," said Fairy, taking a fourth biscuit; "I +never tasted anything so good as these biscuits, and I do hope +Dorothy'll make them three times a day. They are perfectly deliciorous!" + +"You're very flattering," said Dorothy. "But I won't promise to make +them three times a day." + +"I could eat them six times a day," declared Leicester; "but I don't +want Dot to be cooking all the time. What do you think, girls, there are +lots of boats of every sort and kind. Shall we go out rowing this +evening, or wait till to-morrow?" + +"You'll wait till to-morrow," said grandma, quietly. + +"All right, grandma," said Leicester; "we'll start to-morrow morning +right after breakfast; will you go, too?" + +"No, not on your first trip. I may go with you some time later in the +season. And I'll tell you now, children, once for all, that I'm going to +trust you to go on the lake whenever you choose; with the understanding +that you're to be sensible and honorable about it. The lake is very +treacherous; and if there is the least doubt about its being safe to +venture out, you must ask Mr. Hickox about it, and if he advises you +against it, you must not go. Also I trust you to act like reasonable +human beings when you are in a boat, and not do foolish or rash things. +In a word, I trust you not to get drowned, and somehow I feel sure you +won't." + +"Good for you, grannymother!" cried Leicester; "you're of the right +sort. Why I've known grandmothers who would walk up and down the dock +wringing their hands, for fear their geese weren't swans,--no, I guess I +mean for fear their chickens weren't ducks. Well, anyhow, it doesn't +make any difference; you're the best grandmother in the world, and +always will be." + +After supper the Dorrances strolled through the hotel, and finally +seated themselves in the great parlor. + +Fairy plumped herself down in the middle of the floor, and sat +cross-legged, with her chin in her hands. + +"What's the matter, baby?" asked Leicester; "aren't these satin sofas +good enough for you?" + +"Yes, but I like to sit in the middle, and then I can look all around. I +am just goating over it." + +"Goat away; we're all doing the same thing," said Dorothy; "now +grandmother, you sit on this sofa; and I'll go 'way down to the other +end of the room, and sit on that one, and then we'll holler at each +other. It's _such_ a relief not to be cooped up in a little bunch." + +The twins seated themselves on opposite sides of the room, and then the +conversation was carried on in loud tones, that delighted the hearts of +these noise-loving young people. + +So merry were they that their laughter quite drowned the sound of the +door-bell when it rang, and before they knew it, Tessie was ushering a +visitor into the parlor. + +The great chandeliers had not been lighted, but the thoughtful Tessie +had filled and lighted several side lamps, so they were quite able to +see their somewhat eccentric-looking guest. She wore a black silk +mantilla of an old-fashioned style; and her bonnet which was loaded +with dangling black bugles, was not much more modern. She was a small, +thin little woman, with bright, snapping black eyes, and a sharp nose +and chin. + +"I'm Mrs. Hickox," she said, "and I'm surprised that you people should +come to live in this great big hotel." + +As Leicester said afterwards, if there had been any doubt as to the +lady's identity, they would have felt sure, as soon as she declared her +surprise. + +"We are glad to see you, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, rising +with her gentle grace, and extending her hand in cordial greeting to her +visitor. "Won't you be seated?" + +Mrs. Hickox sat down carefully on the edge of one of the chairs. + +"I'm surprised," she said, "that you should use this best room so +common. Why don't you sit in some of the smaller rooms?" + +"We like this," said Grandma Dorrance, quietly. "May I present my +grandchildren,--this is Dorothy." + +The four were duly introduced, and really behaved remarkably well +considering they were choking with laughter at Mrs. Hickox's continual +surprises. + +"Do you propose to live in the whole house?" asked Mrs. Hickox, after +the children had seated themselves a little more decorously than usual. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "my grandchildren have been cooped up in +small city rooms for so long, that they are glad to have plenty of space +to roam around in." + +"'Tisn't good for children to be left so free. It makes 'em regular +hobbledehoys. Children need lots of training. Now that Dorothy,--my +husband tells me she's head of the house. How ridiculous!" + +"Perhaps it _is_ ridiculous, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, dimpling and +smiling; "but I'm over sixteen, and that's quite a big girl, you know." + +"Oh, you're big enough for your age, but there's no sense of your +keeping house in a great big hotel like this." + +"There's no sense in our doing anything else, Mrs. Hickox," said +Leicester, coming to his sister's rescue. "We own this place, and we +can't sell it or rent it, so the only thing to do is to live in it." + +Mrs. Hickox shook her head until the jets on her bonnet rattled, and the +children wondered if she wouldn't shake some of them off. + +"No good will come of it," she said. "This hotel has had six proprietors +since it was built, and none of them could make it pay." + +"But we're not keeping a hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, +smiling; "we're just living here in a modest, unpretentious way, and I +think my grandchildren are going to be happy here." + +"Well, that's what Mr. Hickox said; but I wouldn't believe him, and I +said I'd just come over to see for myself. It seems he was right, and I +must say I am surprised." + +Mrs. Hickox was a nervous, fidgety woman, and waved her hands about in a +continuous flutter. She was all the time picking at her bonnet-strings, +or her dress-trimmings, or the fringe of her mantilla. Indeed once she +pulled the feather of her bonnet over in front of her eyes and then +tossed it back with a satisfied smile. "I often do that," she said, "to +make sure it's there. It blew out one night, and I lost it. I found it +again and sewed it in tight, but I get worried about it every once in a +while. I'm awful fond of dress, and I hope you brought a lot of new +patterns up from the city. I've got a new-fangled skirt pattern, but I +don't like it because it has the pocket in the back. The idea! I was +surprised at that. I like a pocket right at my finger-ends all the +time." + +As Mrs. Hickox spoke she thrust her five finger-ends in and out of her +pocket so rapidly and so many times, that Dorothy felt quite sure she +would wear her precious pocket to rags. + +"What do you carry in your pocket?" asked Fairy, fascinated by the +performance. + +"Many things," said Mrs. Hickox, mysteriously; "but mostly newspaper +clippings. I tell you there's lots of good things in newspapers; and we +have a paper 'most every week, so of course I can cut out a good many. +The only trouble, cutting clippings out of a paper does spoil the paper +for covering shelves. The papers on my pantry shelves now have had some +clippings cut out of them, but I just set piles of plates over the +holes. Well, I must be going. I just came over to be sociable. I'm your +nearest neighbor, and of course up here in the country neighbors have to +be neighborly, but I'm free to confess I don't favor borrowing nor +lending. Woodville is nearer you than it is me, and I expect you'll do +your trading there." + +"Of course we shall, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, flushing a little; "we +are not the sort of people who borrow from our neighbors. But Mr. Hickox +told us that you sometimes had vegetables and eggs to sell; if that is +so, we'd be glad to buy them." + +"When I have them, miss, I'll let you know," said Mrs. Hickox, shaking +her bugles more violently than ever. "But you needn't come 'round +inquiring for them; when I have them I'll let you know." + +"Thank you," said Dorothy, who was only amused, and not at all angry at +her visitor's hostile attitude. + +But Lilian could not so easily control her indignation. "We can get +vegetables and eggs at Woodville," she said. "We don't really need any +of yours." + +"Oh, well, I guess that'll be the least of your troubles," said Mrs. +Hickox, edging towards the door, with a restless, jerky gait. "You're +lucky if the tank don't burst, or the windmill get out of order, or +anything happen that will be really worth worrying over." + +By this time Mrs. Hickox had backed out and edged along until she was on +the veranda. "Good-bye," she said, awkwardly; "come to see me, when you +feel to do so; but I ain't noways set on having company. I like the +little one best, though." + +This sudden avowal so startled Fairy, that she fell off the newel-post +where she had been daintily balancing herself on one foot. As Leicester +caught her in his arms, no harm was done, but Mrs. Hickox ejaculated, +with a little more force than usual, "Well, I _am_ surprised!" + +"That's why I tumbled over," said Fairy, looking intently at Mrs. +Hickox, "'cause _I_ was so s'prised that you said you liked me best. If +you want me to, I'll come to see you with great pleasure and delight." + +"Come once in a while," said Mrs. Hickox, cautiously; "but I don't want +you racing there all the time." + +"No, I won't race there all the time," said Fairy, seriously. "I'll just +race down about once a day. Where do you live?" + +"I live in the yellow house,--the first one down the road. But you +needn't come more than once a week." + +"All right," said Fairy, cheerfully; "we'll make it Wednesdays then. I +love to have things to do on Wednesday, 'cause I used to take my music +lesson on that day, and it's so lonesome not to have anything special to +do." + +While Fairy was talking, Mrs. Hickox had shaken hands all around, and +had backed down the steps. + +"Good-bye," she said, vigorously waving both hands as she went away. + +"Well, of all queer people!" exclaimed Dorothy, as they went back to the +parlor. "I'm glad we haven't many neighbors, if they're all like that. +Mr. Hickox is funny enough, but she's funnier yet." + +"We don't care whether we have neighbors or not, we've got the Dorrance +Domain," said Leicester; "and that's enough to make us happy, and keep +us so." + +"So say we all of us," cried Lilian; "the Dorrance Domain forever!" + +As usual, this was merely a signal for a series of jubilant hurrahs, and +quiet Grandma Dorrance sat on her sofa, and listened contentedly to her +happy, if noisy brood. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE FLOATING BRIDGE + + +Next morning the young Dorrances experienced for the first time the joy +of going to market. + +Their appointed household tasks were all done first, for Dorothy had +insisted on that. Then she and Tessie had conferred as to what was +needed, and she had made out a list. + +Grandma Dorrance had decreed against a sailboat for the children alone; +but they were at liberty to go in a rowboat. + +So down the steps the four ran, and found Mr. Hickox waiting for them at +the dock. + +He had put a boat in the water for them. It was a round-bottomed boat, +but wide and roomy; easy to row and provided with two pairs of shining +oars. + +"Can any of you row?" inquired Mr. Hickox, looking uncertainly at the +children; "for I can't go along with you this morning. Mrs. Hickox, she +wants me to work in the garden,--she says the weeds are higher 'n a +kite." + +"We can row," said Leicester; "but not so very well. We haven't had much +experience, you know. But we're going to learn." + +"I thought we'd each have a boat," said Fairy; "I want to learn to row. +I want to be a 'sperinshed boat-lady." + +"You can learn to row, baby, but you can't go in a boat all by yourself +until you _have_ learned." + +"But I 'most know how now." + +"Well I'll tell you how we'll fix it; two of us will row going over, and +the other two can row coming back. To divide up evenly, suppose Dorothy +and Lilian row over, and Fairy and I will row home." This was a bit of +self-sacrifice on Leicester's part, for he was most eager to handle the +oars himself. + +Mr. Hickox quite appreciated the boy's attitude, and nodded approvingly +at him but he only said: "All right, sonny, you sit in the stern and +steer, and I make no doubt these young ladies'll row you over in fine +shape." + +Fairy was safely settled in the bow, with an admonition to sit still for +once in her life; and then Dorothy and Lilian excitedly grasped the oars +and splashed away. + +It was not very skilful rowing, but it propelled the boat, and by the +aid of Leicester's steering, they made a progressive, if somewhat zigzag +course. + +The morning was perfect. The lake calm and placid, with tiny soft +ripples all over it. The green hills sloped down to its shore on all +sides; while here and there, at long intervals, a house or a building +gleamed white among the trees. The exhilarating air, and the excitement +of the occasion roused the Dorrances' spirits far above normal,--which +is saying a great deal. + +The arms of the rowers grew very tired; partly because they were so +unused to vigorous exercise, and partly because the rowing was far more +energetic than scientific. + +But the girls didn't mind being tired, and pulled away gleefully to an +accompaniment of laughter and song. + +Leicester would have relieved them, but they had promised grandma they +would not move around or change places in the boat until they had become +more accustomed to nautical ways. + +But it was only a mile, after all, and they finally landed at Dolan's +Point, and guided the bow of their boat up on to the beach in a truly +shipshape manner. Fairy sprang out with a bound that landed her on the +dry sand; Leicester followed, and then helped the exhausted but +victorious galley-slaves to alight. + +"Isn't it glorious!" cried Dorothy, panting for breath, but aglow with +happiness. + +"Fine!" agreed Lilian, but she looked a little ruefully at eight +blisters on her pink palms. + +"That's all right," said Leicester, cheerfully; "you'll get calloused +after a while; blisters always have to come first." + +"Oh, pooh, I don't mind them a bit," protested Lilian; for the Dorrances +were all of a plucky disposition. + +On they went, following the directions given them by Mr. Hickox, and +making wonderful explorations at every turn. + +Dolan's Point seemed to be occupied principally by a large boathouse. +This belonged to a club-house, which was farther up the hill, and whose +turrets and gables shining in the morning sunlight, looked like those of +an old castle. + +Their way lay across the point, and then they were to cross a small arm +of the lake by means of a bridge. + +Dorothy had hoped for a rustic bridge, and Leicester had told her that +it would probably be two foot-planks and a hand-rail. + +But when they saw the bridge itself, they were really struck speechless +with wonder and delight. It was a floating bridge, built of logs. It was +perhaps eight feet wide, and was made by logs laid transversely and +close together. They were held in place by immense iron chains which +went alternately over and under the logs at their ends. Except at the +sides of the bridge, the logs were not visible for they were covered +with a deep layer of soil on which grew luxuriant green grass. The thick +grass had been mowed and cared for until it resembled a soft velvet +carpet. + +On either side of the bridge was a hand-rail of rope, supported at +intervals by wooden uprights. The rope rails and the uprights were both +covered with carefully trained vines. Among these were morning-glory +vines, and their pink and purple blossoms made an exquisite floral +decoration. + +Evidently the bridge was in charge of somebody who loved to care for it, +and who enjoyed keeping it in order. + +"Do you suppose we walk on it?" asked Fairy, with a sort of awe in her +voice. + +"Yes," said Leicester. "It must be meant for that; but isn't it the most +beautiful thing you ever saw!" + +It certainly was, and the children stepped on to it gently, and walked +slowly as one would walk in a church aisle. + +Although suspended at both ends, almost the whole length of the bridge +rested on the water, and swayed gently with the rippling of the lake. It +was a delicious sensation to walk on the unstable turf, and feel it move +slightly under foot. + +As they advanced further, it seemed as if they were floating steadily +along, and Fairy grasped Leicester's hand with a little tremor. When +they reached the middle of the bridge they all sat down on the grass, +and discussed the wonderful affair. + +"I shall spend most of my time here," said Dorothy; "it seems to be +public property, and I like it better than any park I have ever seen." + +"It's lovely," agreed Lilian; "I'd like to bring a book and sit here all +day and read." + +"But it's so funny," said Fairy; "it's a bridge, and it's a park, and +it's a garden, and it's a front yard,--and yet all the time it's a +bridge." + +"Well, let's go on," said Leicester. "I suppose it will keep, and we can +walk back over it. And if we don't get our marketing done, we'll be like +the old woman who didn't get home in time to make her apple-dumplings." + +"If she had found this bridge," declared Dorothy, "she never would have +gone home at all, and her story would never have been told." + +But they all scrambled up and went on merrily towards the grocery store. + +The store itself was a delight, as real country stores always are. Mr. +Bill Hodges was a storekeeper of the affable type, and expressed great +interest in his new customers. + +He regaled them with ginger-snaps and thin slivers of cheese, which he +cut off and proffered on the point of a huge shiny-bladed knife. This +refreshment was very acceptable, and when he supplemented it with a +glass of milk all around, Dorothy was so grateful that she felt as if +she ought to buy out his whole stock. + +But putting on a most housewifely air, she showed Mr. Hodges her list of +needs, and inquired if he could supply them. + +"Bless your heart, yes," he replied. "Bill Hodges is the man to purvide +you with them things. Shall I send 'em to you?" + +"Oh, can you?" said Dorothy. "I didn't know you delivered goods. I'd be +glad if you would send the bag of flour and the potatoes, but most of +the smaller things we can carry ourselves." + +"Well I swan!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges; "you're real bright, you air. +How did ye come over? Walk?" + +"No, sir," said Leicester. "We came in a rowboat; and then walked across +the Point and over the bridge. We think that bridge very wonderful." + +"And very beautiful," added Lilian. "Who keeps it so nice?" + +"And doesn't it ever fall down in the water?" asked Fairy; "or doesn't +the mud wash off, or don't people fall off of it and get drownded? and +how do you cut the grass, and how do you water the flowers? It's just +like a conservatorory!" + +As Mr. Bill Hodges was something of a talker himself, he was surprised +to be outdone in his own line by the golden-haired stranger-child, who, +apparently without effort, reeled off such a string of questions. But as +they referred to a subject dear to his heart he was delighted to answer +them. + +"That bridge, my young friends, is my joy and delight. Nobody touches +that bridge, to take care of it, but Bill Hodges,--that's me. I'm proud +of that bridge, I am, and I don't know what I'd do, if I didn't have it +to care for. I'm glad you like it; I ain't got nary chick nor child to +run across it. So whenever you young folks feel like coming over to look +at it, I'll be pleased and proud to have ye; pleased and proud, that's +what I'll be; so come early and come often, come one and come all." + +"We'll bring our grandmother over to see it," said Dorothy, "just as +soon as we can manage to do so." + +"Do," said Mr. Hodges, heartily. "Bring her along, bring her along. Glad +to welcome her, I'm sure. Now I'll go 'long and help you tote your +bundles to your boat. I don't have crowds of customers this time of day, +and I can just as well go as not." + +The kind-hearted old man filled a basket with their purchases, and +trudged along beside the children. + +"Ain't it purty!" he exclaimed as they crossed the bridge. "Oh, _ain't_ +it purty?" + +"It is," said Dorothy. "I don't wonder you love it." + +"And there ain't another like it in the whole world," went on the +prideful Hodges. "Of course there are floating bridges, but no-wheres is +there one as purty as this." + +The children willingly agreed to this statement, and praised the bridge +quite to the content of its owner. + +"Fish much?" Mr. Hodges inquired casually of Leicester. + +"Well, we haven't yet. You see we only arrived yesterday, and we're not +fairly settled yet." + +"Find plenty of fishin' tackle over to my place. Come along when you're +ready, and Bill Hodges'll fit ye out. Pretty big proposition,--you kids +shakin' around in that great empty hotel." + +"Yes, but we like it," said Leicester; "it just suits us, and we're +going to have a fine time all summer." + +"Hope ye will, hope ye will. There ain't been nobody livin' there now +for two summers and I'm right down glad to have somebody into it." + +"Why do you suppose they couldn't make it pay as a hotel?" asked +Dorothy. + +"Well, it was most always the proprietor's fault. Yes, it was the +proprietor's fault. Nice people would come up there to board, and then +Harding,--he was the last fellow that tried to run it,--he wouldn't +treat 'em nice. He'd scrimp 'em, and purty nigh starve 'em. Ye can't +keep boarders that way. And so of course the boarders kept leavin', and +so the hotel got a bad name, and so nobody wants to try a hand at it +again." + +When they reached the boat, Mr. Hodges stowed their basket away for +them, helped the children in and pushed the boat off. + +With gay good-byes and promises to come soon again, the children rowed +away. + +Leicester and Fairy took the oars this time, and Fairy's comical +splashing about made fun for them all. She soon declared she had rowed +enough for one day, but Leicester proved himself well able to get the +boat across the lake without assistance. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE HICKOXES AT HOME + + +On Wednesday morning Fairy declared her intention of visiting Mrs. +Hickox. She carried her kitten with her, and danced gaily along the +road, singing as she went. + +She found the house without any trouble, as it was the only one in +sight; and opening the front gate, she walked up the flower-bordered +path to the house, still singing loudly. She wore the kitten around her +neck as a sort of boa, and this seemed to be a satisfactory arrangement +to all concerned, for the kitten purred contentedly. + +Fairy rapped several times at the front door, but there was no answer; +so she walked leisurely around to the side of the house. There she saw +another outside door, which seemed to open into a small room or ell +attached to the house. She knocked at this door, and it was opened by +Mrs. Hickox herself, but such a different looking Mrs. Hickox from the +one who had called on them, that Fairy scarcely recognized her. Her hair +was done up in crimping pins, and she wore a short black skirt and a +loose white sacque. + +"Goodness me!" she exclaimed, "have you come traipsing over here +a'ready? What's the matter with your hotel, that you can't stay in it?" + +"There's nothing a matter with the hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, +amiably; "but I said I'd come to see you on Wednesday, and so I came. +I've brought my kitten." + +"You've brought your kitten! for the land sake what did you do that for? +Don't you know this is my milk-room? The idea of a kitten in a +milk-room! Well I _am_ surprised!" + +"Oh, I think a milk-room is just the place for a kitten. Couldn't you +give her a little drink of milk, she's awfully fond of it." + +"Why I s'pose I could give her a little. Such a mite of a cat wouldn't +want much; but I do hate cats; they're such pestering creatures." + +"But this one doesn't pester, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, earnestly. +"She's such a dear good little kitty. Her name is Mike." + +"What a ridiculous name! I'm surprised that you should call her that." + +"It isn't much of a name," said Fairy, apologetically. "But you see it's +only temporaneous. I couldn't think of just the right name, so I just +call her Mike, because that's short for my kitten." + +"Mike! short for my kitten! Well so it is, but I never thought of it +before." + +"All our other animals have regular names," volunteered Fairy. "Our +dog,--his name's Dare; our two rabbits are Gog and Magog,--Leicester +named them; or at least he named one, and let Lilian name the other. +They're twins you know,--the rabbits, I mean. Then we have a canary bird +and he's named Bobab. That's a nice name, isn't it?" + +"Nice name? It's heathenish! What a queer lot of children you are, +anyway." + +"Yes, aren't we?" said Fairy, agreeably. "We Dorrances are all queer. I +guess we inheritated it from my grandpa's people, because my grandma +isn't a bit queer." + +"Oh, isn't she? I think she's queer to let you children come up here, +and do what you are doing." + +"Oh, that isn't queer. You only think my grandma queer because you don't +know her. Why, I used to think you quite queer before I knew you as well +as I do now." + +"You consider yourself well acquainted now, do you?" + +"Oh, yes; when anybody visits anybody sociaberly, like I do you, they +know each other quite well. But I think it's queer why you call this +room a milk-room." Fairy looked around at the shelves and tables which +were filled with jars and pans and baskets, and receptacles of all +sorts. The floor was of brick, and the room was pleasantly cool, though +the weather had begun to be rather warm. + +"I call it a milk-room because that's its name," said Mrs. Hickox, +shortly. + +"But _why_ is that its name?" persisted Fairy. "You keep everything +else here as well as milk. Why don't you call it the butter-room or the +pie-room?" + +"Oh, I don't know. Don't pester me so with your questions. Here's a +cookie; now I'll take you in the house, and show you the best room, and +then you must go home. I don't like to have little girls around very +much. Come along, but don't eat your cookie in the house; you'll make +crumbs. Put it in your pocket until you get out of doors again." + +"I won't pester," said Fairy; "you just go on with your work, whatever +you were doing, and I'll play around by myself." + +"By yourself! I guess you won't! Do you suppose I want a great girl like +you rampoosing around my house! I've seen you fly around! You'd upset +everything." + +"I expect I would, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, laughing. "I just certainly +can't sit still; it gives me the widgets." + +"I guess I won't take you into the best room after all, then. Like as +not you'd knock the doves over." + +"Oh, do let me go! What are the doves? I'll promise not to knock them +over, and I'll hold Mike tight so she can't get away. Oh, come, oh, +come; show me the best room!" + +As Mrs. Hickox's parlor was the pride of her life, and as she rarely had +opportunity to exhibit it to anybody, she was glad of even a child to +show it to. So bidding Fairy be very careful not to touch a thing, she +led her through the hall and opened the door of the sacred best room. + +It was dark inside, and it smelled a little musty. Mrs. Hickox opened +one of the window-blinds for the space of about two inches, but even +while she was doing so, Fairy had flown around the room, and flung open +all of the other window sashes and blinds. Then before Mrs. Hickox could +find words to express her wrath at this desecration, Fairy had begun a +running fire of conversation which left her hostess no chance to utter a +word. + +"Oh, are these the doves? How perfectly lovely!" she cried, pausing on +tip-toe in front of a table on which was a strange-shaped urn of white +alabaster, filled with gaily-colored artificial flowers. On opposite +sides of the rim of the urn were two stuffed white doves, facing each +other across the flowers. "Where did you get them? Are they alive? Are +they stuffed? What are their eyes made of? Were they your grandmother's? +Oh, one of them had his wing broken. You sewed it on again, didn't you? +But the stitches show. My sister has some glue, white glue, that would +fix that bird up just fine. When I come next Wednesday, I'll bring that +glue with me and we'll rip off that wing and fix it up all right." + +"Well, I _am_ surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "What do children like you +know about such things? But still, if you think it would do well, I'd +like to try it. I've got a newspaper clipping about that white glue, but +I never saw any. Has your grandma unpacked her dress patterns yet?" + +"I don't know," said Fairy. "I don't think she has any. We never make +our own dresses." + +"For the land sake! Why I thought they looked home-made. Well I _am_ +surprised! But hurry up and see the room, for I want to get them +shutters shut again." + +Fairy didn't see anything in the room that interested her greatly. The +red-flowered carpet, the stiff black horsehair chairs, and the +marble-topped centre-table moved her neither to admiration nor mirth. + +"I've seen it all, thank you," she said. "Do you want it shut up again? +What do you keep it so shut up for? Do you like to have it all musty and +damp? I should think some of your newspaper clippings would tell you to +throw open your windows and let in the fresh air and sunshine." + +"Why they do say that," said Mrs. Hickox; "but of course I don't take it +to mean the best room." + +"We do," said Fairy, dancing around from window to window as she shut +the blinds. "We have that great big parlor over at the Dorrance Domain +flung wide open most of the time; and the little parlors, too, and the +dining-room and all our bedrooms." + +"Well, I _am_ surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "It must fade your carpets +all out, doesn't it?" + +"I don't know; we haven't been there three days yet, so of course they +haven't faded very much. I guess I must go home now. Leicester went out +fishing this morning, and Dorothy and Lilian went to market, and I'm +just crazy to see what they've accumerated." + +"Well, run along," said Mrs. Hickox; "and you can come again next +Wednesday, but don't bring your kitten the next time. When you do come +again, I wish you'd bring some of that white glue you were talking +about; I would certainly like to try it. Here, wait a minute, I'll give +you some gum-drops; then you'll remember the glue, won't you?" + +"I'd remember it anyway, Mrs. Hickox; but I do love candy, +per-tickle-uly gum-drops." + +"Well, here's three; don't eat them all to-day." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, taking the three precious bits of +candy. Then saying good-bye, she danced away with her kitten tucked +under her arm. + +Shortly after Fairy's departure, Mr. Hickox came dawdling along towards +his own home. + +"I do declare, Hickory Hickox, if you haven't been and wasted the whole +morning, fooling with those Dorrance young ones! Now what have you been +doing?" + +"Oh, nothin' in particular. Just helpin' 'em get settled a bit. Lookin' +after their boats and things, and buildin' a little house for them +rabbits of theirs. That Leicester, he's a smart chap; handy with tools, +and quick to catch on to anything." + +"Well I _am_ surprised! Wasting a whole morning building a rabbit-coop!" + +"For the land's sake, Susan, it ain't wasted time. They pay me for all I +do for 'em, and they pay me well, too." + +"They're extravagant people. They have no business to hire you to work +around so much, when you've got plenty to do at home." + +"Oh, don't worry; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right." + +Though he spoke carelessly, Mr. Hickox was in reality much disturbed by +his wife's sharp speeches. Long years of married life with her had not +yet enabled his gentle, peace-loving nature to remain unruffled under +her stormy outbursts of temper. He stood, unconsciously and nervously +fumbling with a wisp of straw he had plucked from a near-by broom. + +"You're shiftless and idle, Hickory, and you don't know what's good for +yourself. Now do stop fiddling with that straw. First thing you know, +you'll be poking it in your ear. I cut out a newspaper clipping only +yesterday, about a man who poked a straw in his ear, and it killed him. +That's what you'll come to some day." + +"No, I won't." + +"Yes, you will! But just you remember this safe rule: never put anything +in your ear, but your elbow. But you're so forgetful. I am surprised +that a man _can_ be as forgetful as you are! Throw that straw +away,--it's safer." + +"Yes, it's safer, Susan," and Mr. Hickox threw his straw away. "And when +you sit down to dinner, I hope you will tie yourself into your chair. +You may not fall off, but it's safer." + +Mrs. Hickox gave her husband a scornful look, which was all the reply +she usually vouchsafed to his occasional shafts of mild sarcasm. + +"That big dog is a ridiculous extravagance," she went on. "He must eat +as much as a man. I am surprised that people as poor as they are should +keep such a raft of animals." + +"Why the Dorrances aren't poor." + +"Yes they are; and if they aren't they soon will be. Throwin' open that +great big house for them few people, is enough to ruin a millionaire. +That little girl says they use nearly every room in it." + +"So they do," said Mr. Hickox, chuckling; "when I went over there this +morning, they was every one in a different room; happy as clams, and +noisy as a brass band." + +"They're a terrible lot! I never saw anything like them." + +"That Dorothy is a smart one," declared Mr. Hickox, with an air of great +conviction. "Some day she'll set Lake Ponetcong on fire!" + +"I wouldn't be at all surprised," said Mrs. Hickox, which was, all +things considered, a remarkable statement. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SIX INVITATIONS + + +June came, and found the Dorrance Domain in full working order. The +experiment seemed to be proving a complete success; and the six people +who lived in the big hotel were collectively and individually happy. + +Grandma Dorrance realized that all was well, and gave the children +absolute liberty to do as they pleased from morning to night, feeling +grateful that the circumstances permitted her to do this. Besides +enjoying their happiness, the dear old lady was quite happy and +contented on her own account. The delightful bracing air made her feel +better and stronger; and the entire freedom from care or responsibility +quieted her nerves. + +Dorothy was complete mistress of the house. The responsibilities of this +position had developed many latent capabilities of her nature, and she +was daily proving herself a sensible, womanly girl, with a real talent +for administration, and much executive ability. She was very kind to +Tessie, realizing that the Irish, girl had no friends or companions of +her own class around her; but Dorothy also preserved a certain dignified +attitude, which became the relation of mistress and maid. She ordered +the household affairs with good judgment, and was rapidly becoming an +expert cook. This part of the domestic work specially appealed to her, +and she thoroughly enjoyed concocting elaborate dishes for the +delectation of her family. Sometimes these confections did not turn out +quite right; but Dorothy was not discouraged, and cheerfully threw away +the uneatable messes, and tried the same difficult recipes again, until +she had conquered them. + +The flaw in Dorothy's character was an over self-confidence; but this +was offset by her sunny good-humored disposition, and she gaily accepted +the situation, when the others teased her about her failures. + +The days passed like beautiful dreams. The family rose late, as there +was no special reason why they should rise early. The children spent +much time on the water in their rowboats, and also renewed their +acquaintance with Captain Kane, who took them frequently for a little +excursion in the _Mamie Mead_. + +But perhaps best of all, Dorothy liked the hours she spent lying in a +hammock, reading or day-dreaming. + +She was fond of books, and had an ambition to write poetry herself. This +was not a romantic tendency, but rather a desire to express in +beautiful, happy language the joy of living that was in her heart. + +She rarely spoke of this ambition to the others, for they did not +sympathize with it, and frankly expressed very positive opinions that +she was not a poet and never would be. Indeed, they said that Fairy had +more imagination and poetic temperament then Dorothy. + +Dorothy was willing to agree to this, for she in no way over-estimated +her own talent,--she was merely acutely conscious of her great desire to +write things. + +So often for a whole afternoon she would lie in a hammock under the +trees, looking across the lake at the hills and the sky, and +assimilating the wonderful beauty of it all. This dreamy side of +Dorothy's nature seemed to be in sharp contrast to her practical +energetic power of work; it also seemed incongruous with her intense +love of fun and her enjoyment of noisy, rollicking merriment. + +But these different sides reacted on each other, and combined with +Dorothy's natural frankness and honesty, made a sweet and wholesome +combination. Had Dorothy been an only child, she might have been given +too much to solitude and introspection; but by the counteracting +influences of her diverting family, and her care of their welfare, she +was saved from such a fate. + +One day she was suddenly impressed with a conviction that Grandma +Dorrance must often feel lonely, and that something ought to be done to +give her some special pleasure. + +"We all have each other," said Dorothy to the other children, "but +grandma can't go chasing around with us, and she ought to have somebody +to amuse her, at least for a time. So I think it would be nice to invite +Mrs. Thurston up here to spend a week with us." + +Mrs. Thurston was a lifelong friend of Mrs. Dorrance's, and moreover was +a lady greatly liked by the Dorrance children. + +"It would be very nice," said grandma, much gratified by Dorothy's +thoughtfulness; "I don't really feel lonely, you know; it isn't that. +But I would enjoy having Mrs. Thurston here for a time, and I am sure +she would enjoy it too." + +"Hooray for Mrs. Thurston!" shouted Leicester; "and say, Dot, I'd like +to have company too. S'pose we ask Jack Harris to come up for a few +days. I'm the only boy around these parts, and I declare I'd like to +have a chum. Meaning no slight to my revered sisters." + +"I want Gladys Miller," said Fairy. "The twins have each other, and +Dorothy has grandma, but I don't seem to have any little playmate, 'cept +Mrs. Hickox, and she's so supernumerated." + +They all laughed at this, but Dorothy said, "Why, we'll each invite one +guest. That's a fine idea! There's plenty of room, and as to the extra +work, if we all do a little more each day, it won't amount to much. I'll +ask Edith Putnam, and Lilian, of course, you'll want May Lewis." + +"Yes, of course," cried Lilian; "I'd love to have May up here. I never +once thought of it before." + +"I'll tell you what!" exclaimed Leicester. "Now here's a really +brilliant idea. Let Tessie invite some friend of hers too, and then she +can help you girls with the work." + +"That _is_ a good idea," said Grandma Dorrance, approvingly. "We'd have +to have extra help, with so many more people, and if Tessie has any +friend who would like to come for a week, it would be very satisfactory. +Of course we will pay her wages." + +"Wowly-wow-wow!" exclaimed Leicester; "won't we have rackets! I say, +Dot, give Jack that other tower room, right over mine, will you? He'd +like it first-rate." + +"Yes, and we'll give Mrs. Thurston that big pleasant room next to +grandma's. Tessie and I will begin to-day to get the rooms ready." + +"Hold on, sis, don't go too fast; you haven't had any acceptances yet to +the invitations you haven't yet sent!" + +"No, but they'll all come fast enough; we'll each write to-day, and +we'll tell the people to get together, and all come up in a bunch," said +Lilian. "I know May Lewis's mother wouldn't let her come alone, but with +Mrs. Thurston, it will be all right." + +"And Captain Kane can bring the whole crowd up from the station," said +Leicester; "and we'll row down to the lock to meet them. And we'll have +flags and bonfires and Chinese lanterns for a celebration. There's lots +of Chinese lanterns up in one of the storerooms,--we'll just have to get +some candles. Jiminy! won't it be fun!" + +"Perhaps it will be too hard on you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Dorrance; +"doubling the family means a great deal of extra cooking, you know." + +"Oh, that will be all right, grannymother; and perhaps the lady Tessie +invites will be able to help out with the cooking." + +"Gladys's room must be next to mine," said Fairy, "so we can be +sociarbubble. I shall take her to see Mrs. Hickox the first thing, and +she'll proberly give us two gum-drops apiece." + +Fairy's friendship with Mrs. Hickox was a standing joke in the family, +and that lady's far from extravagant gifts of confectionery caused great +hilarity among the younger Dorrances. + +Full of their new project, they all flew to write their letters of +invitation, and within an hour the six missives were ready, and +Leicester volunteered to row over to Woodville with them. Tessie was +delighted at the prospect, when Dorothy explained it to her. + +"Shure, I'll ask me mother," she exclaimed; "she's afther bein' a fine +cook, Miss Dorothy, an' yez'll niver regret the day she comes. Indade, +she can turn her hand to annythin'." + +Although Tessie was a superior type of Irish girl, and usually spoke +fairly good English, when excited, she always dropped into a rich +brogue which greatly delighted the children. + +"Just the thing, Tessie; write for your mother at once, or I'll write +for you, if you like, and I hope she'll come up with the rest of them." + +"Shure, she will, Miss Dorothy; she lives all alone an' she can come as +aisy as not. An' she's that lonesome for me, you wouldn't believe! Och, +but she'll be glad of the chance." + +Feeling sure that most if not all of their guests would accept the +invitations, Dorothy, Lilian and Tessie,--more or less hindered by +Fairy, who tried hard to help,--spent the afternoon arranging the +bedrooms. It was a delightful task, for everything that was needed +seemed to be at hand in abundance. The hotel when built, had been most +lavishly and elaborately furnished, even down to the smallest details. +The successive proprietors had apparently appreciated the value of the +appointments, and had kept them in perfect order and repair. Moreover, +as their successive seasons had been a continuous series of failures, +and few guests had stayed at the hotel, there had been little wear and +tear. + +Although Mrs. Hickox had not lost her grudging demeanor regarding her +eggs and vegetables, yet Fairy was able to wheedle some flowers from her +now and then, with the result that the Dorrance Domain had assumed a +most attractive and homelike general effect. + +Of course, the individual rooms showed the taste and hobbies of their +several owners; while the large parlor which the family had come to use +as a general living-room had entirely lost all resemblance to a hotel +parlor, and had become the crowning glory of the Dorrance Domain. The +Dorrances had a way of leaving the impress of their personality upon all +their belongings; and since the big hotel belonged to them, it had +necessarily grown to look like their home. + +"I think," said Dorothy, "if they all come, it would be nicer to use the +big dining-room." + +"And the little tables," cried Fairy; "two at each one, you know. Me and +Gladys at one, and Leicester and Jack at another, and grandma and----" + +"Oh, no, Fairy," said grandma, "that wouldn't be nice at all. It +wouldn't even be polite. Use the big dining-room, if you wish, but let +us all sit at one table. Surely, you can find a table big enough for +ten." + +"Oh, yes," cried Leicester; "there are a lot of great big round +table-tops in the storeroom. They're marked 'banquet tables'; one of +those will be just the thing." + +"What do you do with a table-top, if it doesn't have any legs?" asked +Fairy. "Do you put it on the floor, and all of us sit on the floor +around it, like turkeys?" + +"I suppose you mean Turks," said Leicester, instructively; "but no, we +don't arrange it just that way. We simply put the big round table-top on +top of the table we are now using, and there you are!" + +"It will be beautiful," said Dorothy. "I do love a round table. You can +make it look so lovely with flowers and things. I hope they'll all +come." + +Dorothy's hopes were fulfilled, and every one of the six who were +invited sent a delighted acceptance. Tessie's mother, perhaps, +expressed the most exuberant pleasure, but all seemed heartily glad to +come. + +They were invited for a week, and were expected to arrive one Thursday +afternoon at about four o'clock. + +Vast preparations had been made, for every one was interested especially +in one guest, and each made ready in some characteristic way. + +Dorothy, as housekeeper, spent all her energies on the culinary +preparations. She delighted the heart of Mr. Bill Hodges by her generous +orders, and she and Tessie had concocted a pantry-full of good things +for the expected visitors. + +Lilian had put the hotel in apple-pie order, and given finishing touches +to the guests' rooms, and Fairy had performed her part by inducing Mrs. +Hickox to let them have an extra lot of flowers. These flowers were all +of old-fashioned varieties which grew luxuriantly in Mrs. Hickox's +garden; and arranged with Lilian's exquisite taste, and by her deft +fingers, they made really lovely decorations for parlor, dining-room and +bedrooms. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +GUESTS FOR ALL + + +As the guests would reach the Dorrance Domain by daylight, Leicester's +plan of illuminating the grounds was scarcely feasible. But he had hung +the Chinese lanterns on the veranda, and among the trees, and had put +candles inside them, so they could light them up, and have their +celebration in the evening. + +It was arranged that the twins should row down to meet the _Mamie Mead_ +and then get on board, and escort the guests up the lake, towing their +own rowboat. + +Dorothy preferred to stay at home, to attend to some last important +details in the kitchen, and Fairy said she would sit with grandma on the +veranda, and await the arrival. + +Soon after four o'clock, Fairy ran into the house screaming to Dorothy +that the _Mamie Mead_ was in sight. This gave Dorothy ample time to run +up-stairs for a final brush to her hair, and a final adjustment of her +ribbons, and there was no air of a flurried or perturbed housekeeper +about the calm and graceful girl who sauntered out on the veranda to +greet her guests. + +Fairy danced half-way down the steps to the dock, and then danced back +again hand-in-hand with Gladys Miller. The others came up more slowly, +and Grandma Dorrance rose with pleasure to welcome her dear friend Mrs. +Thurston. + +Then there was a general chorus of excited greetings all around. + +The newcomers were so astonished and delighted at the novelty of the +situation, that they could not restrain their enthusiasm; and the +residents of the Dorrance Domain were so proud and happy to offer such +unusual hospitality, that they too, were vociferously jubilant. + +But the stranger among the newcomers was of such appalling proportions +that Dorothy couldn't help staring in amazement. + +Tessie's mother was quite the largest woman she had ever seen, and +Dorothy privately believed that she must be the largest woman in the +whole world. She was not only very tall, and also very broad, but she +had an immense frame, and her muscles seemed to indicate a powerfulness +far beyond that of an ordinary man. + +To this gigantic specimen of femininity Dorothy advanced, and said +pleasantly: "I suppose this is Kathleen?" + +"Yis, mum; an' it's proud I am to be wid yez. The saints presarve ye, +fur a foine young lady! An' wud yez be's afther showin' me to me +daughter? Och, 'tis there she is! Tessie, me darlint, is it indade +yersilf?" + +Tessie had caught sight of her mother, and unable to control her +impatience had run to meet her. Though Tessie was a fair-sized girl she +seemed to be quite swallowed up in the parental embrace. Her mother's +arms went 'round her, and Leicester exclaimed, involuntarily, "Somebody +ought to rescue Tessie! she'll have every bone cracked!" + +But she finally emerged, unharmed and beaming with happiness, and then +she led her mother away to the kitchen, the big woman radiating joy as +she went. + +"She jars the earth," said Jack Harris; "as long as she's on this side, +the lake is liable to tip up, and flood this place of yours. But I say, +Less, what a magnificent place it is! Do you run the whole +shooting-match?" + +"Yes, we do," said Leicester, trying to look modest and unostentatious. +"It isn't really too big, that is,--I mean,--we like it big." + +"Like it? I should think you would like it! It's just the greatest ever! +I say, take me in the house, and let me see that, will you?" + +The girls wanted to go too, and so leaving the elder ladies to chat on +the veranda, the children ran in, and the Dorrance Domain was exhibited +to most appreciative admirers. + +Jack Harris was eager to see it all; and even insisted on going up +through the skylight to the roof. This feat had not before been thought +of by the Dorrance children, and so the whole crowd clambered up the +narrow flight of stairs that led to the skylight, and scrambled out on +the roof. Dorothy's dignity was less observable just now, and she and +Edith Putnam romped and laughed with the other children as if they were +all of the same age. The view from the roof was beautiful, and the place +really possessed advantages as a playground. There was a railing all +around the edge, and though the gables were sloping, many parts of the +roof were flat, and Jack declared it would be a lovely place to sit on a +moonlight night. + +Then down they went again, and showing the guests to their various +rooms, made them feel that at last they were really established in the +Dorrance Domain. This naturally broke the party up into couples, and +Leicester carried Jack off to his own room first, to show him the many +boyish treasures that he had already accumulated. + +Fairy flew around, as Jack Harris expressed it, "like a hen with her +head off," and everywhere Fairy went, she dragged the more slowly moving +Gladys after her, by one hand. Gladys was devoted to Fairy, and admired +her thistledown ways; but being herself a fat, stolid child, could by +no means keep up to Fairy's pace. + +Dorothy took Edith Putnam to her room, and being intimate friends the +two girls sat down together, and became so engrossed in their chat, that +when nearly a half-hour later, Lilian and May Lewis came in to talk with +them, Edith had not yet even taken off her hat. + +Although dear friends of the Dorrances', Edith and May were of very +different types. + +Edith Putnam was a round, rosy girl, very pretty and full of life and +enthusiasm. She was decidedly comical, and kept the girls laughing by +her merry retorts. She was bright and capable, but disinclined for hard +work, and rather clever in shifting her share of it to other people's +shoulders. + +May Lewis, on the other hand, was a plain, straightforward sort of girl; +not dull, but a little diffident, and quite lacking in self-confidence. +Not especially quick-witted,--yet what she knew, she knew thoroughly, +and had no end of perseverance and persistence. She was of a most +unselfish and helpful disposition, and Lilian well knew that without +asking, May would assist her at her household tasks during the visit, +and would even do more than her share. + +Dorothy frankly explained to the girls what the household arrangements +were in the Dorrance Domain, and said, that since certain hours of the +day must be devoted to regular work by the Dorrance sisters, the guests +would at such times be thrown upon their own resources for +entertainment. + +"Not I!" cried Edith; "I shall help you, Dorothy, in everything you have +to do while I'm here. Indeed, I just think I'll do up your chores for +you, and let you take a rest. I'm sure you need one. Not that you look +so; I never saw you look so fat and rosy in your life; but you mustn't +work too hard just because you have company. You mustn't do a single +thing extra for us, will you?" + +"You mustn't dictate to your hostess, miss," returned Dorothy, gaily; +"and I hardly think you can assist me very much, for I look after the +cookery part, and I think you've given me to understand that you detest +cooking. Also, I most certainly shall do extra things while you're +here. It is my pleasure to entertain my guests properly," and Dorothy +smiled in her most grown-up manner. + +"Good gracious! Dorothy Dorrance, did your manners come with your +Domain, or where did you get that highfalutin air of yours?" + +"Oh, that was put on purposely to impress you with my importance," said +Dorothy, dimpling into a little girl again. "But truly, I must skip down +to the kitchen now, and see if my Parker House rolls are rising, rose or +having risen. No, you can't come, Edith; you'd spoil the rolls,--though +you'd do it in a most well-meaning way. Now you girls all go out, and +disport yourselves on the lawn, while I do my noble duty. Though I'm +free to confess I'm scared to death of that awe-inspiring mother-person +that Tessie has imported." + +"I think she'll be helpful," said May Lewis. "She came up with us you +know, and really she's wonderful. She looked after us all, and she's as +funny as a red wagon." + +"Red wagon!" exclaimed Edith; "she's nearer the size of a red +automobile, and she has the same kind of energy that automobiles are +said to have. I don't own one myself, so I don't know." + +"I don't own one either," said Dorothy, "so I don't know how to manage +one. But I suppose I must make a try at managing the bulky Kathleen,--so +I may as well start." + +The whole troop ran down the wide staircase, except Fairy, who slid down +the banister, and leaving the others in the hall, Dorothy ran away to +the kitchen. + +There she found Kathleen proceeding in a manner quite in accordance with +her appearance. She had assumed immediate and entire charge of the +supper preparations, and was ordering Tessie about in a good-natured, +but domineering way. + +"Lave me have a bit o' red pepper, darlint," she was saying, as Dorothy +came in; "this dhressin' is flat for the want of it. Ah, Miss Dorothy, +is that you, thin? an' I'm jist afther shlappin' together yer +salad-dhressin'. I obsarved the things all shtandin' ready an' I +whacked 'em up." + +"Why, that was very kind of you, Kathleen," said Dorothy; "it has helped +me a great deal. Where are my rolls, Tessie?" + +"They was risin' too fast, miss," said Kathleen, entirely ignoring her +daughter's presence, "an' I set 'em in the pantry forninst, to kape 'em +back." + +"Good for you, Kathleen! you're a jewel. I was afraid those things would +get too light. Now, if you'll get them for me, I'll mould them over." + +"Shure, I moulded them over, miss. They're all ready to bake, an' it's +Kathleen as'll bake 'em for ye." + +"Well," said Dorothy, laughing, "there doesn't seem to be anything left +for me to do. Will you dress the salad, Kathleen?" + +"I will that, miss! Now don't bother yer purty head anny more about the +supper. Shure, it's Kathleen will attind to it all, intoirely. This +shcapegrace, Tessie, will show me where things do be, an' yez needn't +show so much as the tip av yer nose, until it's all on the table." + +"Kathleen, you're an angel in disguise, and not much disguised at that. +Now look here, I'm very practical, and if you're going to stay here a +week, we may as well understand each other from the start. I'd be +delighted to leave this supper entirely in your hands; but are you sure +that you can do everything satisfactorily? I'm rather particular, as +Tessie can tell you, and to-night, I want everything especially nice, +and well-served, in honor of my guests." + +"Now, there's talk for ye! You're the right kind of a lady to wurruk +for. But, ye need have niver a fear; Kathleen'll do iverything jist as +foine as yersilf or yer lady grandmother cud be afther desirin'." + +"Very well, Kathleen, I shall trust you with the whole affair then. You +can broil chickens, of course?" + +"To a turrn, miss." Kathleen's large face was so expressive as she said +this (and there was so much room on her face for expression), that +Dorothy felt no further doubts as to the chickens. + +She ran from the kitchen, laughing, and joined the group on the veranda. + +"I'm a lady of leisure," she announced gaily; "that large and altogether +delightful piece of architecture, called Kathleen, insists upon cooking +the supper, over which I had expected to spend a hard-working hour." + +"Jolly for Kathleen!" exclaimed Leicester, throwing his cap high in the +air, and catching it on his head; "I do hate to have Dot working for her +living, while we're all enjoying ourselves." + +"Jolly for Kathleen!" echoed Jack Harris; "the lady of magnificent +distances." + +And though Grandma Dorrance did not join audibly in the general hurrah, +she was no less glad that her pretty Dorothy was relieved from household +drudgery on that particularly merry occasion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AN UNWELCOME LETTER + + +The week at the Dorrance Domain passed all too quickly, in the opinion +of the happy young people. + +There was so much to do, and every day seemed to bring new pleasures. +The weather was of the most beautiful June variety, and the lake was as +smooth as glass and most pleasant to ride upon. + +One day they all went out in rowboats, and called themselves a regatta. +Another day, Captain Kane took them all for a sail in the _Mamie Mead_. + +But perhaps the nicest outing of all, was the day they had a picnic on +the floating bridge. They carried their luncheon, and camped out on the +bridge to eat it. Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to grant them permission +to do this, and brought them some fruit from his store as an addition to +their feast. + +"It's the strangest thing," said Edith Putnam, "to be on the land and on +the water at the same time. Here we are, sitting on what seems to be +good solid grass and earth; and yet if you dug a hole in it, you'd +strike the lake right away." + +"You'd strike logs first," corrected Jack Harris; "but if you bored +through the logs you'd come to the water." + +"It's perfectly lovely to feel the little swaying motion," said May +Lewis, who in her quiet way was greatly enjoying the novel experiences. +"I shall hate to go back to the city. How I envy you, Lilian, with a +whole summer of this before you." + +"But you're going away with your mother, next month, aren't you?" + +"Yes; but we'll be cooped up in one or two little rooms at some seashore +place; it is very different from having a whole hotel all to yourself." + +"Indeed it is," said Dorothy; "we certainly did the wisest thing when we +came up here this summer. And now that Kathleen is here, I have almost +nothing to do in the kitchen, and the rest of the housework that I do +have to look after is so light that I don't mind it a bit." + +"That's because you're so clever," said Edith, sighing; "you're +systematic and orderly, and have everything arranged just so. I don't +see how you do it. I should forget half the things, and get the other +half all mixed up." + +"I believe you would," said Dorothy, laughing. "And I did get somewhat +mixed up at first. But I learned by experience, and besides I was just +_determined_ that I would succeed. Because I proposed the whole scheme, +and of course, I wanted it to be a success." + +"And it is a success," returned Edith; "and you have made it so. You +have lots of perseverance in your nature, Dorothy." + +"It's nice of you to call it by that name," said Dorothy; "but I think +it's just stubbornness. I've always been stubborn." + +"We all are," said Leicester; "it's a Dorrance trait. Grandmother hasn't +much of it, but Grandfather Dorrance was a most determined old +gentleman." + +"There's only one thing that's bothering me, about our good times," said +Dorothy. "And that is, that grandma can't enjoy them as much as we do. +She doesn't care about going in the boats, and she can't take the long +walks that we can." + +"It would be nice if you had a horse," said May; "then she could go for +a drive sometimes." + +"That would be lovely," agreed Dorothy; "but I know we couldn't afford +to buy a horse. We haven't very much money. That's the main reason we +came up here, because grandma said we couldn't afford to go to the +places we used to go to." + +"But you might hire a horse," suggested Jack; "you have a barn." + +"Yes, there is a small barn," said Leicester. "I think it would be great +to hire a horse; that wouldn't cost much, Dot." + +"No," said Dorothy, "I don't believe it would. But who'd take care of +the horse, and who'd drive grandma around?" + +"Why, I can drive," said Leicester, "or if grandma wouldn't trust me, +Mr. Hickox could drive her. He could take care of the horse, too." + +"It's a good idea," said Dorothy; "let's go and ask Mr. Hodges about it +now; he always knows about things of that sort." + +The whole crowd scrambled to their feet, and ran gaily towards Mr. +Hodges' place. They were not surprised, when he declared he had just the +thing for them. A fat, amiable old horse, who was well accustomed to the +steep mountain roads, and guaranteed perfectly safe; also a light +road-wagon that would hold four, and that was very easy and comfortable. +He would rent them this turn-out for ten dollars a week, and he declared +that they would find it most convenient; not only for pleasure drives, +but for going to market or other errands. Indeed, he said, that the +proprietor who had last tried to run the hotel, had engaged that horse +for the season. + +It struck Dorothy as a good plan; and being always quick at decisions, +she agreed then and there to take the horse and carriage for a week, +saying she felt sure that Grandma Dorrance would approve. + +Leicester said he would drive it home, and any of the girls who wished +to, could go with him, the rest going back in the boats. Dorothy said +she would go with him, as she wanted to tell grandma about it herself. + +As Fairy expressed a great desire to ride behind the new horse, she and +Gladys were tucked in the back seat, and they started off. + +Such a ride as it was. The hills were very steep, "perfectly +perpendickle," Fairy called them, and if the old horse had not known +just how to walk on the mountain roads, accidents might very easily have +happened. + +As it was they reached home safely, and drove up triumphantly to the +Dorrance Domain where grandma and Mrs. Thurston were sitting on the +veranda. + +As the children had surmised, grandma was delighted with the opportunity +to drive about, but said that she would feel safer if Mr. Hickox held +the reins. + +As Mr. Hickox was never very far away, he had observed the horse's +arrival, and came over to inquire into the matter. + +The explanation pleased him, and he said amiably, "Don't worry. +Hickox'll look after the horse; it'll be all right." + +So Grandma Dorrance arranged with Mr. Hickox, by an addition to the +payment they made him for his various services, to take care of the +horse, and to drive them whenever they might require him to. Then she +and Mrs. Thurston planned to go for a drive that very afternoon. + +As the Dorrance children were fond of all animals, the horse at once +became a great pet, and though the elder ladies never went out except +with Mr. Hickox, the young people went early and often, and both Dorothy +and Leicester soon learned to be good and careful drivers. + +With another diversion added to their catalogue of pleasures, the days +flew by faster than ever, and although the guests stayed a fortnight +instead of only a week, everybody was sorry when the day came for them +to depart. + +"It has been all pleasure," said Dorothy, "and not a bit of trouble; for +you all made yourselves so handy and helpful that it was just like one +big family." + +"It has been a great treat to me," said Mrs. Thurston. "I have enjoyed +every minute of it, and I have improved wonderfully in health and +strength. I think you are a wonder, Dorothy; not many girls of sixteen +have your powers of management. It is a gift, just as other talents are, +and you not only possess it, but you have appreciated and improved it." + +Dorothy blushed at Mrs. Thurston's kind praise, and inwardly resolved, +that since Mrs. Thurston considered her household capability a talent, +she certainly would endeavor to cultivate and improve it. + +So the guests all went away, except Kathleen. + +She begged so hard to be allowed to stay for a time longer, that Mrs. +Dorrance consented. + +"Shure, it isn't the wages I do be afther wantin', mum, but I likes to +shtay here, an' I'll do all the wurruk for me boord." + +This seemed a fair arrangement, as Kathleen really wanted to stay with +her daughter, and the Dorrances were very glad of the big woman's +services. She was an indefatigable worker, and really seemed to enjoy +all sorts of hard work. She would rise early in the morning, and wash +windows or scrub floors before breakfast time. She was so capable and +willing, that it seemed as if she fairly took charge of the entire +family; and she was so large and strong that no hard work baffled her, +and no exertion tired her. + +Although the Dorrances naturally missed their guests, yet when they were +alone again they were by no means lonely. They were a host in +themselves; the children were congenial and thought there was nobody +quite so nice as each other. + +The days went by happily, and each one only made them more glad that +they owned the Dorrance Domain and that they had come to live in it. + +It was the third week in June when Grandma Dorrance received a letter +from Mr. Lloyd, the contents of which were far from pleasant. + +She called the children together in the great parlor, which they had +come to use as a living-room, and her pale face quite frightened +Dorothy. + +"What is the matter, grannymother dear?" she said. "Has Mr. Lloyd found +some one who wants to rent the hotel, and must we vacate at once?" + +"Oh, don't mention such a calamity as that," cried Leicester; "if a man +came up here to rent this hotel I should tell him to march right +straight back again. The house is engaged for the season." + +"It's far worse than that, children dear," said grandma; "Mr. Lloyd +tells me in his letter that a great deal of repairing is necessary in +the Fifty-eighth Street house. This will cost a great deal of money, and +I have not enough to pay the bills." + +Mrs. Dorrance looked so pathetically helpless as she made this +admission, that Dorothy flew to her and kissed her, exclaiming, "Don't +worry, grandma dear, it must all come out right somehow, for you know we +are saving money this summer." + +"I'm not so sure of that, Dorothy; I'm afraid we've been rather +extravagant of late. Having so much company for a fortnight, was really +very expensive; and the horse is an added expense, and the two +servants,--and altogether I feel quite sure we have spent more money +than we could well afford." + +"I never once thought of it, grandma," said Dorothy; "I just ordered the +things that I thought it would be nice to have, and I didn't realize how +the bills would count up. Are they very big?" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Mr. Hodges' bill is quite three times as +much as I had allowed for it; and I owe Mr. Hickox as much more. He has +done a great deal of work for us, you know, and of course he must be +paid." + +"Oh, isn't it dreadful," said Lilian, "to have our lovely summer spoiled +by money troubles!" + +At this Fairy began to cry. The Dorrances didn't often cry, but when +they did, they did it quite as noisily as they did everything else; and +Fairy's manner of weeping, was to open her mouth as widely as possible +in a succession of loud wails, at the same time digging her fists into +her eyes. + +She presented such a ridiculous picture that the children couldn't help +laughing. + +"Do stop that hullaballoo, baby," implored Leicester, "or we'll be so +anxious to get rid of you that we'll offer you to Mr. Bill Hodges in +settlement of his account." + +Fairy was not seriously alarmed by this awful threat, but she stopped +crying, because she had suddenly thought of a way out of the difficulty. + +"I'll tell you how we can get some money," she said earnestly; "sell the +horse!" + +The other children laughed at this, but Grandma Dorrance said gently, +"We can't do that, dear, for the horse isn't ours. We can't sell the +hotel, for nobody seems to want it; so I can't see any way by which we +can get any money except to sell the Fifty-eighth Street house." + +The children looked aghast at this, for it was their cherished dream +some day to return to the big city house to live. They didn't quite know +how this was to be accomplished, but they had always thought that when +Leicester began to earn money, or perhaps if Dorothy became an author, +they would be able to return to the old home. + +And so Grandma Dorrance's announcement fell on them like a sudden and +unexpected blighting of their hopes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +FINANCIAL PLANS + + +Dorothy felt it the most. As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of +responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the +family fortunes, but just how she did not know. She well knew how +difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially +trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she +would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of +misfortune. And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not +ready for it. She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she +would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the +question. + +Leicester, on the other hand, took a more cheerful view of the +situation. + +"Oh, I don't believe we'll have to sell the house," he said. "It isn't +so bad as that, is it, grandma?" + +"I don't know, Leicester," said the old lady helplessly; "I never did +know much about business matters, and now I feel more confused than ever +when I try to straighten them out." + +"But if we could just get through this summer, grandmother, when we go +back to the city in the fall I feel sure I can get a position of some +kind and earn a salary that will help us all out." + +"You are a good boy, Leicester," said Mrs. Dorrance; "but it is very +uncertain about your getting a position; and too, I don't want you to +leave school yet." + +"No, indeed," said Dorothy. "It wouldn't be right for Leicester to leave +school at fourteen; and anyway, I think he ought to go through college. +Now I am sixteen, and I have education enough for a girl. So I'm the one +to get a position of some kind in the fall, and earn money to help +along." + +"What could you do?" asked Lilian looking at her sister. She had ample +faith that Dorothy could do anything she wanted to, and was merely +anxious to know in which direction she would turn her talents. + +"I don't know," said Dorothy, very honestly; "skilled labor is the only +thing that counts nowadays, and I'm really not fitted for anything. I +would like best to write things; but I don't believe anybody would buy +them,--at least, not at first. So I suppose the only thing that I could +do would be to go into a store." + +"And sell candy?" asked Fairy, with a dawning interest in the plan. + +"Don't talk like that, Dorothy dear," said grandma, gently; "of course I +wouldn't let you go into a store, and also, I'm very much afraid that +your poetry wouldn't find a ready market. That may come later, but it +will probably be after years of apprenticeship." + +"Well, something must be done," said Dorothy decidedly; "and you can't +do it, grandma; so we children must. I think we are old enough now to +take the responsibility off of your shoulders; or at least to help you +in these troubles." + +"I wish you could, my dear child, but I fear there is no practical way +by which we can raise the money that I must have, except to sell the +city house. It seems like a great sacrifice for a small reason; for you +see if we just had money enough to pay our living expenses this summer, +I could manage, I think, to come out nearly even by fall. But there is +no way to provide for our living this summer, that I can see." + +"Now I'm getting a clearer understanding of the case," said Leicester; +"then if we children could earn money enough this summer to run the +Dorrance Domain, we'd come out all right?" + +"Yes, I think so, but how could you earn any?" + +"I don't know," said Leicester, "but I've often read how other boys +earned money,--and country boys, too. We might pick huckleberries and +sell them, or we might raise a garden and sell things." + +"Who would you sell them to?" asked Lilian, who was always practical. +"Now I think a more sensible way would be to economize. Send away Tessie +and Kathleen both; and then get along with fewer good things to eat. You +know we've had everything just as we wanted it, and I'm sure we could +cut down our table expenses. Then we could give up the horse,--although +he is a dear----" + +At this Fairy's wails began again, for she was devotedly attached to old +Dobbin, the horse, and couldn't bear to think of parting with him. + +"I think," said Grandma Dorrance, "that we will have to ask Mr. Lloyd to +come up here and advise us; and then whatever he thinks best, we will +do." + +"Don't you have to pay Mr. Lloyd for his advice?" asked Dorothy, +suddenly struck by the thought of what seemed to her an unnecessary +expense. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance; "that is, I pay him for attending to all of +my business, and of course that includes his advice." + +"I suppose we couldn't get along without him," said Dorothy, sighing; +"but it does seem awful to pay him money that we need so much +ourselves." + +Mrs. Dorrance had a happy faculty of deferring unpleasant things to some +future time; and not worrying about them meanwhile. + +"Well," she said, "I will write to Mr. Lloyd to-morrow, and ask him to +come up here; or if he can't come, to write me a letter advising me what +to do. And until he comes, or his letter comes, we can't do anything in +the matter, and there is no use worrying over it. I'd hate to discharge +the servants, for you girls couldn't get along without anybody to help; +and if we keep Tessie, Kathleen is no added expense, for her work well +pays for her board." + +This was not quite logical, but all were too miserable to notice it. For +once the Dorrances went up-stairs to their beds without any whoops or +hurrahs for Dorrance Domain. + +As they were going up the great staircase, Lilian offered another of her +practical, if not very attractive suggestions. + +"We could," she said, "shut up the Domain, and all go to board with Mrs. +Hickox for the rest of the summer. I'm sure she'd take us quite +cheaply." + +At this Leicester started the old Dorrance groan, which had not been +heard before since their arrival at Lake Ponetcong. + +They all joined in heartily, and groaned in concert, in loud, horrible +tones that echoed dismally through the long corridors. + +It was characteristic of their different natures that Grandma Dorrance +went to bed, and immediately fell asleep in spite of her anxiety about +her affairs; while Dorothy lay awake far into the night pondering over +the problem. + +She could form no plan, she was conscious only of a dogged determination +that she would somehow conquer the existing difficulties, and +triumphantly save the day. + +She thought of Lilian's practical suggestions, and though she admitted +them practical, she could not think them practicable. Surely there must +be some way other than boarding at Mrs. Hickox's, or living on bread and +tea. + +"At any rate," she thought to herself as she finally fell asleep, +"nothing will be done until Mr. Lloyd is heard from, and that will give +me at least two or three days to think of a plan." + +But try as she would, the next day and the next, no acceptable plan +would come into Dorothy's head. + +"We are the most helpless family!" she thought to herself, as she lay in +the hammock under the trees. "There is positively nothing that we can +do, that's of any use. But I will do something,--I _will_! I WILL!" and +by way of emphasizing her determination she kicked her heel right +through the hammock. + +The other children did not take it quite so seriously. They were +younger, and they had a hazy sort of an idea that money troubles always +adjusted themselves, and somehow got out of the way. + +Leicester and Dorothy talked matters over, for though younger, he +considered himself the man of the house, and felt a certain +responsibility for that reason. But he could no more think of a plan +than Dorothy could, and so he gave the problem up in despair, and +apparently Dorothy did also. + +However, even a serious trouble like this, was not sufficient to cast +down the Dorrances' spirits to any great extent. + +They went their ways about as usual; they rowed and fished and walked +and drove old Dobbin around, while their faces showed no sign of gloom +or depression. That was the Dorrance nature, to be happy in spite of +impending disaster. + +Mr. Lloyd's letter came, but instead of helping matters, it left them in +quite as much of a quandary as ever. He said that it would be impossible +to sell the town house during the summer season. That the repairs must +be made, or the tenants would not be willing to stay. He advised Mrs. +Dorrance to retrench her expenses in every possible way, and stated +further, that although the repairs must be made at once, it would not be +necessary to pay the bills immediately on their presentation. + +He said that although he would be glad to run up to see them in their +country home, he could not leave the city at present, but he might be +able to visit them later on. + +Altogether it was not a satisfactory letter, and Leicester expressed +open disapproval. + +"That's a nice thing," he said, "to tell us not to pay our bills! As if +we wanted to live with a lot of debts hanging over our heads!" + +"I think it's lucky that we don't have to pay them right off," said +Dorothy; "something may happen before we have to pay them." + +Dorothy had a decided touch of the Micawber element in her nature and +usually lived in the hope of something happening. And, to do her +justice, it often did. + +To the surprise of the others Fairy seemed very much impressed by the +gravity of the situation, and more than that she seemed to think that it +devolved on her to do something to relieve it. She walked over to Mrs. +Hickox's to make her usual Wednesday visit, and though she skipped along +as usual she was really thinking seriously. + +She found Mrs. Hickox sitting on a bench under a tree paring apples, and +Fairy sat down beside her. + +"Of course I'm only twelve," she began, "but really I can do a great +many things; only the trouble is none of them seem to be remunerary." + +The two had become great friends, and though Mrs. Hickox was a lady of +uncertain affections, she had taken a great fancy to Fairy, and in her +queer way showed a real fondness for the child. She had also become +accustomed to Fairy's manner of plunging suddenly into a subject. + +"What is it you want to do now?" she said. + +"Well, you see," said Fairy, "we've failed, or absconded, or something +like that; I don't know exactly all about it, but we're awful poor, and +we can't have anything more to eat. Some of us want to come to board +with you, and some of us don't. You see it's very complicrated." + +"Yes, it seems to be," said Mrs. Hickox; "but how did you get so poor +all of a sudden? I always said you were all crazy and now I begin to +believe it. Your grandmother----" + +"Don't you say a word against my grannymother!" cried Fairy, with +flashing eyes. "She's the loveliest, best and wisest lady in the whole +world. Only somehow she just happened to lose her money, and so of +course us children want to help her all we can, and I just don't happen +to know what to do to earn money, that's all. And I thought you might +know some way to tell me." + +"I don't believe there's anything a child of your age could do to earn +money," said Mrs. Hickox. "But now that I come to think of it, I did cut +out a clipping just the other day, telling how to earn a good salary at +home." + +"Oh, that will be just the thing!" cried Fairy, dancing around in glee; +"I'd love to earn a big salary and stay right there at the Dorrance +Domain to do it. Do try to find it." + +Mrs. Hickox was in the habit of sticking away her clippings in various +queer places. She pulled out a bunch from behind the clock, and ran them +over; "How to Take Out Ink Stains," "How to Wash Clothes in Six +Minutes," "How to Protect an Iron Lawn Fence," "How to Stuff Birds, +Taught by Mail," "Sure Cure for Rheumatism," "Recipe for Soft Soap." + +None of these seemed to be what was wanted, so Mrs. Hickox hunted +through another bunch which she took out of an old and unused teapot. + +Fairy danced around with impatience while her hostess went through +several collections. + +"Oh, here it is," she said, at last, and then she read to the child a +most promissory advertisement which set forth a tempting description of +how any one might earn a large fortune by directing envelopes. The two +talked it over, and Fairy wrote for Mrs. Hickox a sample of her +penmanship, whereupon the lady at once declared that the scheme was +impossible. For she said nobody could read such writing as that, and if +they could, they wouldn't want to. + +Fairy's disappointment was quite in proportion to the vivid +anticipations she had held, and she was on the verge of one of her +volcanic crying spells, when Mr. Hickox came in. + +"Well, well, what's the trouble?" he said in his cheery way, and when +Fairy explained, he responded: + +"Well, well, little miss, don't you worry,--don't you worry one mite! +Hickox'll fix it. It'll be all right!" + +And so comforting was this assurance, and so sanguine was the Dorrance +temperament, that Fairy felt at once that everything was all right, and +dismissed the whole subject from her mind. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A SUDDEN DETERMINATION + + +One afternoon, Dorothy sat on the front veranda, day-dreaming. + +It was difficult to say which was the front veranda,--the one that faced +the road, or the one that looked out on the lake. The house could be +considered to front either way. + +But Dorothy was on the veranda that faced the road, and it was a lovely +warm, hazy day, almost the last of June, and notwithstanding her +responsibilities, Dorothy was in a happy frame of mind. + +She watched with interest, a carriage that was coming along the road +towards her. It was nothing unusual in the way of a carriage, but there +was so little passing, that anything on four wheels was always +noticeable. This was a buggy, and contained a lady and gentleman who +seemed to be driving slowly and talking fast. + +To Dorothy's surprise, when they reached the entrance of the Dorrance +Domain, they turned in, and drove up towards the house. + +As they stopped in front of the steps, Dorothy rose to greet them; but +though courteous in manner, beyond bestowing a pleasant smile, they took +no notice of her. The gentleman got out first, then helped the lady out, +and after a blank look around for a moment, as if expecting somebody, he +threw his lines carelessly around the whip and escorted the lady into +the house. + +The doors were all open as usual, and Dorothy was so amazed to see them +walk past her, that she said nothing. + +Grandma Dorrance was lying down in her room; the twins had gone out +rowing, and Fairy was down at the dock with Mr. Hickox, fishing. + +The two servants were far away in the kitchen, and so the strangers +walked through the great hall and out on the west veranda without seeing +anybody. + +Nonplussed, they returned to the office, and noted the unused look of +the desks and counters there. + +"Where do you suppose the clerk can be?" said the gentleman. + +"Let us ask that young girl on the veranda," said the lady, and together +they returned to where Dorothy was sitting. + +"Excuse me," said the strange gentleman, "but can you tell me where I +may find the clerk of this hotel?" + +"There isn't any clerk," said Dorothy, smiling, as she rose to greet +them. + +"Then will you tell me where I can find the proprietor?" + +Like a flash, an inspiration came to Dorothy. She realized in an instant +that these people were looking for board; and equally quickly came the +thought that she might take them to board, and so earn some of the money +that she had been worrying about. It would certainly be no more +difficult to have boarders than visitors. + +And so, on the impulse of the moment, Dorothy replied: + +"I am the proprietor." + +"But I mean the proprietor of the hotel,--the owner of the place." + +"My grandmother is the owner of this hotel; and if anybody is proprietor +of it, I am. May I ask if you are looking for board?" + +"Yes, we are," said the lady, impulsively; "and if you are the +proprietor, I'm quite sure we want board at this hotel." + +"Will you sit down, and let us talk this matter over," said Dorothy, +offering them veranda chairs. "I would like to explain just how things +are." + +The strangers seated themselves, and looked at Dorothy with some +curiosity and a great deal of interest. It was certainly unusual to come +across a pretty girl of sixteen, who, in her ruffled lawn frock looked +quite like the typical guest of a summer hotel, and then to be calmly +told that she was the proprietor. + +Dorothy also looked with interest at her visitors. The man was tall and +large, of perhaps middle age; his face was kind and serious, but a smile +seemed to lurk in his deep blue eyes. The lady seemed to be younger, +and was very pretty and vivacious. She had curly brown hair, and her +brown eyes fairly danced with fun at the idea of Dorothy as a hotel +proprietor. + +"You see," said Dorothy, as they all sat down, "this hotel is my +grandmother's property; but as we couldn't rent it, we have all come +here to live for the summer. My grandmother is quite old, and not at all +strong, so the household management is entirely in my charge. I would be +very glad to take some boarders if I could satisfy them and make them +comfortable. I have never kept boarders, but," and here Dorothy's smile +brought out all her dimples, "I have entertained company successfully." + +"I should be delighted to come," exclaimed the lady, "if you are quite +sure you want us, and if your grandmother would not object." + +"Oh, no, she would not object; the question is, whether I could make +your stay satisfactory to you. We have plenty of room; I could promise +you a good table and good service. But as there are no other guests, +you might be lonely." + +"We are not afraid of being lonely," said the gentleman, "for my wife +and I are not dependent on the society of other people. But let me +introduce myself before going further; I am Mr. James Faulkner, of New +York City. Mrs. Faulkner and myself have been staying over at the Horton +House, and that hotel is far too gay and noisy to suit our tastes. I'm a +scientific man, and like to spend much of my day in quiet study. Mrs. +Faulkner, too, likes to be away from society's demands, at least for a +season. Therefore I must confess your proposition sounds most +attractive, if the minor details can be arranged." + +"I am Dorothy Dorrance," Dorothy responded, by way of her own +introduction, "and my grandfather was Robert Hampton Dorrance. He has +been dead for two years, and he left us this hotel property, which as we +have been unable to rent, we decided to occupy. I would be glad to add +to our income, and if you think you could be comfortable here, might we +not try it for a week?" + +"Oh, do let us try it," cried Mrs. Faulkner, eagerly; "do say yes, +James,--this is such a lovely spot, and this hotel is quite the most +attractive I have seen anywhere. Only fancy having no other guests but +ourselves! it would be ideal. Oh, we must certainly come! I will decide +it; we will come for a week at any rate." + +"Very well, my dear, you shall have your own way. May I ask your rates, +Miss Dorrance?" + +Dorothy hesitated. She felt very inexperienced, and while she was +fearful of over-charging, yet her practical instincts made her also +beware of undervaluing the accommodations she knew she could supply. + +"I don't know," she said, frankly, "what I ought to charge you. But you +may have the best rooms in the house, and,"--here she smiled, +involuntarily,--"as many of them as you wish. We have a really superior +cook, and an experienced waitress. We have boats, and a horse and +carriage, which you may use when you care to. As I know nothing of +summer hotel charges, I would be glad if you would tell me what you +think would be right for you to pay." + +Dorothy's frank honesty, and her gentle refined courtesy made a most +favorable impression on Mr. Faulkner, and he responded cordially. + +"For what you offer, Miss Dorrance, I think it would be fair if we +should pay you the same as we are now paying over at the Horton House; +that is, fifteen dollars a week, each, for Mrs. Faulkner and myself." + +Dorothy considered a moment. She was a quick thinker, and she realized +that this amount of money would help considerably towards the living +expenses of the family. And the price could not be exorbitant since Mr. +Faulkner offered it himself. + +"That will be entirely satisfactory to me," she said, "and I shall hope, +on my part, to satisfy you. When would you like to come?" + +"I'd like to come to-morrow," said Mrs. Faulkner. "I've stood the Horton +House just as long as I can. And our week is up to-morrow. But, excuse +me, my dear, aren't you very young for these responsibilities?" + +"I'm sixteen," said Dorothy, "and grandmother thinks my talents are of +the domestic order. But I could not undertake to have you here were it +not that our cook is not merely a cook, but a general manager and +all-round housekeeper. And now, Mrs. Faulkner, if you really think of +coming, wouldn't you like to select your rooms?" + +Just at this moment, Fairy came flying through the long hall at her +usual break-neck pace, and landed turbulently in the midst of the group. + +"Oh, Dorothy," she cried, "we caught fish, and fish, and fish!" + +"This is my sister Fairy," said Dorothy, "and I must explain, that when +I said it would be quiet here, I neglected to mention that there are +four of us children; and the truth is we are dreadfully noisy at times. +Fairy, dear, this is Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, who are perhaps coming to +board with us." + +With the pretty politeness that always underlay the boisterousness of +the Dorrances, Fairy put out her hand to the strangers, saying: "I'm +very glad to see you. Are you really coming to stay with us? You must +'scuse me for rushing out like that, and nearly knocking you over, but I +was so 'cited about my fish." + +Fairy always looked more than usually fairy-like when she was excited. +Her gold curls tumbled about her face, and the big white bow which +topped them stood at all sorts of flyaway angles. She poised herself on +one foot, and waved her hands dramatically as she talked. + +Mrs. Faulkner was charmed with the child, and being possessed of some +artistic ability, she privately resolved to make a sketch of Fairy at +the first opportunity. + +The two sisters escorted the guests through the hall, if Fairy's hop, +skip and jump could be called an escort, and Dorothy showed them the +lake view from the west piazza. + +Mrs. Faulkner was enthusiastic over this, and declared that nothing +would induce her to stay anywhere else but at the Dorrance Domain. + +Mr. Faulkner, too, was impressed by the beauty of the lake. It was +always most picturesque in the late afternoon, and just now the clouds, +lit up by the western sun, were especially beautiful. The lake itself +was not calm, but was covered with smooth little hills of water, which +here and there broke into white foam. + +Some distance out, a boat could be seen, containing two people. + +"That's my brother and sister," said Dorothy; "they are twins. They are +fourteen, and are perhaps the noisiest of us all. You see," she went on, +smiling, "I'm preparing you for the worst. Grandmother had great +difficulty with the New York boarding-house keepers, because they +thought the Dorrance children too lively. So I want you to be fully +warned that we do make a great deal of noise. Somehow we can't help it." + +"We don't yell so much as we used to," said Fairy, hopefully; "you see, +Mrs. Faulkner, when we used to be cooped up in a boarding-house we just +had to make an awful racket, 'cause we were so miserabubble. But here we +have room enough to scamper around, and so we don't holler so much." + +"I rather think we can survive your demonstrations of animal spirits," +said Mr. Faulkner, with his kindly smile. "It will be a pleasant relief +from the brass band which is the noise-producer over at the Horton +House." + +"We haven't any brass band," said Dorothy, suddenly realizing that they +lacked many things popularly supposed to belong to a summer hotel. + +"That's one reason why I want to come," said Mrs. Faulkner. + +"I hope you will decide to come," said Dorothy; "and now, if you will +excuse me a minute, I think I will ask my grandmother to come down and +sanction our plan." + +Leaving the strangers to be entertained by Fairy, Dorothy ran up to her +grandmother's room and tapped at the door. + +A few moments served to explain matters to Mrs. Dorrance, and though a +little bewildered by Dorothy's sudden proposal, she thought the plan a +good one, and went down prepared to give the strangers a cordial +reception. + +The Faulkners were much pleased with the gentle, gracious old lady, and +Mrs. Dorrance decided at a glance that the newcomers were sensible and +kindly people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DARING SCHEME + + +The more they talked over the matter the more it seemed a sensible and +feasible plan for all concerned. Mrs. Dorrance felt sure that with their +two capable servants, and Mr. Hickox's varied usefulness, two boarders +would make no more responsibility for Dorothy than her five guests had. + +It was therefore decided to try the plan for a week, and if both sides +were satisfied, to continue for the season. + +Then Dorothy took the strangers up to select their rooms, and Mrs. +Faulkner was as delighted at the idea of choosing from so many empty +rooms, as the Dorrances had been on the night of their own arrival. + +Agreeing to return the next day with their luggage, the Faulkners drove +away, leaving the Dorrances in a high state of delighted excitement. + +"You see," said Dorothy to her grandmother, "something _has_ happened. I +felt sure it would, though of course, I had no idea it would be the +Faulkners. But thirty dollars a week will help a lot, and I'm sure we +can make them have a good time. They're lovely people,--you can see that +at a glance. Mrs. Faulkner is so sweet, I think I'd be willing to pay +her just to sit around and smile at me." + +"Instead of her paying you to let her do it," said grandma. "But it is a +good plan, Dorothy; for now we can afford to keep Kathleen, and pay her +fair wages, which I did not otherwise feel justified in doing." + +"And Kathleen is a whole army of servants, all in one," said Dorothy. +"She'll be delighted at the idea of staying with us. I'll go and tell +her about it now." + +"I'll go, too," cried Fairy. "I want to hear her talk." + +Out to the kitchen the two girls ran and noisily burst in upon Tessie +and her mother. + +The two Irish women were feeling rather blue, for Mrs. Dorrance had told +them that she could not afford to let them both stay with her, and she +was not sure that she ought to keep even Tessie. + +"Arrah thin, darlints, yez'll be afther breakin' down the dures! Why +musht ye always come so shlam-bang?" + +"We can't help it, Kathleen," cried Dorothy; "we're just made so, I +guess. But this time we've something to tell you,--something important." + +"Im-porrtant, is it? Sorra a good thing cud yez tell me, ixcipt that yer +lady grandmother wud be afther lettin' me shtay here wid yez. Me an' +Tessie is afther grievin' sore at thoughts of lavin' yez." + +"That's just it, Kathleen," screamed Fairy, who in her excitement and +enthusiasm was scrambling up Kathleen's broad back. It was a favorite +trick of Fairy's to clamber up and perch herself on the big woman's +shoulder, and the good-natured giantess assisted her with sundry +pushings and pullings. + +"That's jist it, is it? Well thin yez naden't be afther tellin' me anny +more. Yez can kape the rist of yer importance to yersilves. If we can +shtay up here, me and Tessie, we'll wurruk our finger ends off fer ye, +wid no wages but a bite an' a sup." + +"No, that won't do, Kathleen. Now just listen; we want to engage you as +cook, and Tessie as waitress for the Dorrance Domain. It has become a +hotel,--a regular summer hotel, and the boarders will arrive to-morrow." + +"For the love of all the saints, miss! Is it boorders yez'll be afther +takin'? Shure, an' that's foine. And it's Kathleen as 'll cook fer yez. +An' Tessie, you young rascal, see to it that you wait on the table jist +grand! Do there be manny a-comin', miss?" + +"Two," replied Dorothy; "and they're lovely people." + +"Yes, lovely people," cried Fairy, who, still on Kathleen's shoulder, +was emphasizing her remarks by pounding Kathleen with her little fists; +"one is a great, big, lovely gentleman, with big, blue eyes, and +grayish-blackish hair. That's Mr. Faulkner. And his wife's a beautiful +little lady, who smiles, and smiles, and smiles. Oh, they're scrumptious +people, and I expect they will stay all summer. Oh, Dorothy, the twins +are coming! let's go and tell them!" + +Fairy sprang from Kathleen's shoulder to the table, and from there +bounded to the floor, and grasping Dorothy's hand, the two ran away to +tell the news, and met the twins on the veranda. + +Lilian and Leicester were as glad as the rest to learn of the advent of +the Faulkners, and at once began to make plans for the comfort and +entertainment of their boarders. + +"I shall take Mr. Faulkner out fishing," said Leicester, "and show him +all the best spots to fish." + +"I don't believe he'll care much for fishing," said Mrs. Dorrance. "He +seems to me to be so interested in his scientific work, that I imagine +he spends little time in recreation. I think that you'll all have to try +to be a little quieter than usual, especially in the house." + +"We will, granny dear," said Lilian; "if we're going to keep boarders, +we're going to do it properly; I guess the Dorrances know when they can +cut up jinks, and when they can't." + +"Isn't it funny, though," said Leicester, "to think of our living in +this hotel because nobody would rent it _as_ a hotel, and now here we +are, running a hotel ourselves. I'm going to get out the big register, +and clean up that inkstand thing, and have the office all in +working-order for them to register when they come to-morrow. Dorothy, +you can be proprietor, but I'll be the clerk; and then after they +register, I'll ring the bell for a bell-boy. And then I'll be the +bell-boy. And then I'll send myself for a porter, and Mr. Hickox'll be +the porter. Oh, it'll be great!" + +"Shall we eat in the big dining-room?" asked Lilian. "It seems as if it +would be more like a hotel." + +"I don't know," said grandma; "that immense room is too large for seven +people. The Faulkners seem very congenial, and I can't help thinking +they would prefer to sit at the round table with us. However, they +might prefer a table to themselves; so I think the best plan is to wait +until they arrive, and ask them. In such matters we should be glad to +meet their wishes." + +"I shall keep most systematic accounts," said Dorothy; "and then I can +tell just how much we make by having boarders. There are lots of blank +books in the office, and I shall keep exact lists of everything I buy +this week, and then see how it balances up at the end of seven days." + +"If you expect to make any money out of this scheme," said Leicester, +"you mustn't feed us all on the fat of the land, as you did when those +people were visiting here." + +"No," said grandma; "you can't do it, Dorothy. It is very pleasant to +set dainty and tempting dishes before one's guests; but when it comes to +a practical business arrangement it is necessary to be careful in such +matters. I don't want you to be over-economical, but on the other hand +you cannot afford to be extravagant." + +"If you're going to be a boarding-house keeper, Dot," said Lilian, "you +must set a table exactly like Mrs. Cooper's!" + +At this speech, Leicester started the famous Dorrance groan, and its +wails reached the ears of Mr. Hickox, who was sauntering near by in his +aimless, wandering fashion. + +"Thought I'd just come over and see what you're yowling about," he said +pleasantly; "those screeches are enough to kill all the fish in the +lake!" + +"Come in, Mr. Hickox," cried Leicester; "we have a grand plan on hand, +and as usual we shall want your help." + +"Oh, yes," said Mr. Hickox, "as usual. Hickox'll make it all right. +What's up now?" + +"We expect boarders to-morrow; and when they come, we want you to be on +hand to look after their trunks and things. The Dorrance Domain has +suddenly turned back into a hotel. Dorothy is proprietor, I'm clerk, and +you're to be the porter." + +"What am I?" said Lilian; "I want a regular position." + +"Oh, you can be the elevator boy, or the carriage-door opener, +whichever you like," said her brother. + +"As we haven't any elevator, and our carriage hasn't any door, I won't +be over-worked." + +"We girls will all have to be upper servants," said Dorothy; "with so +much extra work in the kitchen, we'll have to help a great deal as +parlor-maids, and chambermaids, and dining-room maids." + +"I'll sweep all the verandas every day," announced Fairy; "I do just +love to fly around with that funny big broom-brush." + +"Well, Hickox is yours to command," declared that genial gentleman; +"whatever you want Hickory Hickox to do, that's as good as done! +Excepting, of course, such various times as I might be otherwise +employed. But I'll be porter all right, and I'll port them people's +trunks right up to their rooms so fast, they'll think I'm an elevator. +My! Mrs. Hickox, she'll be surprised to hear you people are going to +have boarders! I must say, I'm some surprised myself. Well I must +shuffle along now, and I'll be on deck when you want me to-morrow. +Hickox will look after things. It'll be all right." + +After the ungainly figure had shuffled away, the children still +continued to make plans and offer suggestions for the new arrangement. + +"We must be very methodical," said Dorothy, who was much in earnest in +the matter, and who wanted to start out just right. "Mrs. Faulkner is so +nice and sweet, I want to please her; and, too, if the Dorrances run a +hotel, I want it to be run on the most approved plan." + +"We'll each have an account book," said Fairy; "and I'll put down in +mine, how many times I sweep the verandas each day." + +"If you get around them all in one day, baby," said Leicester, "you'll +do mighty well; and to do that, you'll have to get to work at daybreak +and stick to it till sundown. There's an awful big number of square feet +of veranda attached to this palatial mansion, I can tell you." + +"Oh, pooh!" cried Fairy. "It won't take me all day, at all. I can fly +around it in a minute. I'll work like a centripepede!" + +"We'll keep the horse for this week, anyway," went on Dorothy; "for I +shall have to go to market every morning, and it's so much quicker to go +in the carriage than the boat. Sometimes you can go for me, Less, if I +make out an exact list of what I want." + +"All right," said her brother; "I don't think this keeping boarders is +going to be such hard work after all. I wonder we didn't think of it +sooner." + +"I'm glad we didn't," said Dorothy; "I think it was nicer to have a few +weeks all by ourselves, first. We've got to behave when the Faulkners +get here. It will be just like it was at Mrs. Cooper's, you know." + +This time Fairy started the groan, and again they all chimed in with +those deep growling wails that always made Mrs. Dorrance clap her hands +to her ears. + +"For pity's sake!" exclaimed the long-suffering old lady; "don't make +any reference to Mrs. Cooper while the Faulkners are here; for if they +heard those fearful groans of yours, they'd leave at once." + +"What's Mr. Faulkner like?" asked Leicester; "will he say, 'well, my +little man,' to me?" + +"No," said Dorothy, laughing at the remembrance; "Mr. Faulkner is an +awful nice man. Not very young, and not very old." + +"Like Jack Sprat's pig?" asked Leicester; "not very little and not very +big." + +"He isn't like anybody's pig!" said Fairy, indignantly. "He's a +gentiliferous gentleman. I'm going to ask him to go to Mrs. Hickox's +with me. He's scientiferic, and I know he'd like to read her newspaper +clippings." + +"I wouldn't ask him to go just at first, Fairy," said grandma; "wait +until you get better acquainted." + +"Well, anyhow? I'll take him to see the rabbits; he's sure to love them, +they're such cunning, pudgy-wudgy little things." + +"And I'm sure he will like Dare," said Lilian, patting the head of the +big dog who lay at her feet. + +"Such nice people as they seem to be, will surely like animals," said +grandma; "but if they should not, then you must be very careful that +they are not annoyed by them. Dare will learn for himself whether he is +liked or not; but if Mrs. Faulkner doesn't care for kittens you must +keep Mike out from under foot." + +"I don't believe she'll care for kittens, so I'll take this one and +drown it now," said Leicester, picking up the ball of fluffy Maltese +fur, and starting towards the lake. + +Fairy ran after him, screaming in pretended anguish, though she well +knew her brother was only joking, being almost as fond of the kitten as +she was herself. + +The other two girls followed, and Dare followed them, and a general game +of romps ensued. + +Grandma Dorrance watched them from the veranda, feeling glad for the +thousandth time that her dear ones were in their own home, where they +could follow their own sweet will, without causing annoyance to any +one. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +REGISTERED GUESTS + + +The next day, true to her word, Dorothy made preparations for methodical +and systematic hotel management. + +"They may not stay more than a week; probably they won't," she said; +"but I don't want them to leave because the Dorrance Domain isn't run +properly as a summer hotel." + +The children had looked upon the whole affair as a great joke; but +seeing that there was a certain underlying current of seriousness in +Dorothy's attitude, they began to think that it was a business venture +after all. + +"Shall we really ask them to register, Dot?" inquired Leicester, who +didn't know quite how far the playing at hotel was to be carried. + +"Yes," said Dorothy; "there is no reason why not; it can certainly do +no harm, and it makes everything seem more shipshape. Have nice fresh +pens, ink and blotters, and put down the date and the number of their +rooms when Mr. Faulkner signs. Don't laugh about it, but don't put on +airs either; just be polite and businesslike." + +"My, Dot, but you're a wonder!" exclaimed Leicester, looking at his +sister with admiration. "Where did you learn all these things? Nobody +ever registered at Mrs. Cooper's." + +"No," said Dorothy; "but that was a city boarding-house; an altogether +different affair from a country summer hotel. It may be foolish, but I +want to try to treat the Faulkners just as they would be treated in any +nice summer hotel." + +"It isn't foolish at all," spoke up Lilian; "it's just the right way to +do, and we'll all help. We must send a pitcher of ice-water to their +room every night." + +"Oh, dear, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Dorothy, in dismay; "why, +we haven't any ice." + +"No," said Leicester, "but fresh-drawn water from that deep well is +just as cold as any ice-water. I'll make that one of my duties; I'm a +bell-boy, you know." + +"Another thing," went on Lilian, in her practical way, "is the mail-box +in the office. We must tell the Faulkners to put their letters in there, +and they will be collected twice a day, and taken over to Woodville and +mailed." + +"Lilian, you're a trump!" cried Dorothy; "tell us more things like +that,--that's just what I mean. But we can't go to Woodville twice a +day!" + +"I think once a day will be enough," said Leicester; "we'll take the +contents of the mail-box every morning when we go over for the +marketing." + +"I shall write to Gladys Miller every day," said Fairy; "so you'll +always have something to take; maybe the Faulkners don't have so very +much corresponderence." + +All four of the children went to market that morning. Leicester drove +them over, and so much chattering and planning did they do on the way, +that the two miles distance seemed very short. + +Dorothy felt the responsibility of ordering just the right things for +her table. She realized that she must begin on just the same scale on +which she expected to continue through the week. She must not be too +lavish, for since her aim now was to earn money, she must be fair and +just, rather than generous. + +Always sensible and capable, Dorothy seemed suddenly possessed of a new +sort of self-reliance; and the responsibility which she had voluntarily +and gladly accepted, seemed to bring with it the executive ability which +promised success. + +Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to hear the news of boarders at the +Dorrance Domain. He possessed that trait, not altogether unusual in +storekeepers, of desiring to sell his wares. During the fortnight that +the Dorrances had entertained company, he had reaped a golden harvest, +and, as since then Dorothy's demand on his stock had been much more +modest, he now rejoiced in the anticipation of further extravagant +orders. + +He was greatly surprised then, when Dorothy, instead of lavishly +purchasing whatever struck her fancy, regardless of its price, began to +inquire the cost of things, and showed a decided leaning towards thrift +and economy. + +"Ain't goin' to starve them folks, be you?" he asked, as Dorothy +hesitated between the relative merits of lettuce and tomatoes. + +"I hope not," said Dorothy, politely, for she knew Mr. Bill Hodges +pretty well by this time, and so did not resent what she knew was not +meant as a rudeness. "When our house was last run as a hotel, did they +buy their provisions from you?" + +"Yes, ma'am, they did;" and a shade more of respectful deference crept +into the voice and manner of Mr. Bill Hodges, as he instinctively +realized the touch of added dignity in Dorothy's demeanor. "Mr. Perkins, +he used to do the marketin', and gracious snakes! but he calc'lated +close. He give his boarders just enough to keep them alive and no more." + +"Well, I don't want to be quite so mean as that," said Dorothy; "but on +the other hand, I can't afford to treat my boarders quite as I would +like to entertain my guests." + +"That's right, that's right!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges, whose own +shrewd business mind readily recognized similar qualities in another. +"That's right; treat 'em good, but not too good." + +This phrase fastened itself in Dorothy's mind, and she determined to +take for her line of action all that was expressed in Mr. Bill Hodges' +homely phrase, "Treat'em good, but not too good." + +Their purchases satisfactorily completed, the children jogged back home +over the rough, steep hill, and even old Dobbin seemed to realize that +he was now part of the establishment of a first-class summer hotel. + +That afternoon the Faulkners arrived. + +Everything was in readiness, and perhaps no hotel proprietor ever took +greater pride in the general appearance of his hostelry, than did +Dorothy Dorrance, as, arrayed in a fresh white muslin, she stood on the +east veranda watching a lumbering stage drawing nearer and nearer to the +Dorrance Domain. + +And surely no typical hotel clerk, even though decorated with the +traditional diamond pin, could show a more faultless array of +official-looking desk-furnishings. + +The Horton House stage rolled slowly up the driveway, and stopped at the +main entrance. Mr. Hickox was on hand to open the stage door, and look +after the hand luggage. + +With an instinctive grasping of the situation, both Mr. and Mrs. +Faulkner appreciated Dorothy's frame of mind, and acted precisely as if +they were entering a hotel run on regulation lines. + +As Dorothy led the way to the office, Mrs. Faulkner looked at her +curiously. It was strange to see a girl, so young and pretty, so +graceful and well-bred, yet possessed of a certain quality which could +only be designated by the term, "business instinct." She marveled at +Dorothy's poise, which, however, showed no trace of awkwardness or +pertness. + +Mrs. Faulkner was fond of character study, and felt convinced at once +that she would greatly enjoy a better acquaintance with Dorothy +Dorrance. + +At the office, Leicester showed the newcomers the same quiet, polite +courtesy. The boy had a frank, straightforward air that always impressed +strangers pleasantly. He turned the register around towards Mr. +Faulkner, and offered him an already-inked pen, with an air of being +quite accustomed to registering guests. + +But Leicester's sense of humor was strong, and the absurdity of the +whole thing struck him so forcibly, that it was with great difficulty he +refrained from laughing outright. Had he glanced at Dorothy, he +certainly would have done so; but the two were fully determined to play +their part properly, and they succeeded. + +Nor was Mr. Faulkner to be outdone in the matter of correct deportment. +He gravely took the pen offered to him, signed the register in the place +indicated, and inquired if they might go at once to their rooms. + +"Certainly," said Leicester, touching the bell on the desk. The +ubiquitous Hickox appeared with the hand-bags, and Leicester handed him +the keys. + +This touch nearly finished Dorothy, for numbered keys seemed so very +like a real hotel, that it struck her as quite the funniest thing yet. + +As the Faulkners, following Mr. Hickox, went up the great staircase and +disappeared around the corner, Leicester flew out from behind his desk, +grasped Dorothy's hand, and fleetly, though silently, the two ran +through the long parlor to one of the smaller rooms, shut the door, and +then burst into peals of laughter. + +For a moment they would pause, begin to speak to each other, and then go +off again into choking spasms of hilarity. + +Had they only known it, their two guests on the floor above, were doing +almost the same thing. Mrs. Faulkner had thrown herself into an easy +chair, and was laughing until the tears rolled down her cheeks. Mr. +Faulkner, who was by nature a grave gentleman, was walking up and down +the room, broadly smiling, and saying, "Well upon my word! well upon my +word!" + +Before Dorothy and Leicester had recovered their equilibrium, the two +younger girls came rushing into the room where they were. + +"Did they come? Are they here? What is the matter? Do tell us all about +it!" + +Dorothy, in her idea of the fitness of things had asked Lilian and Fairy +to keep out of sight until after the arrival and registration had been +safely accomplished; grandma, it had also been thought best, was not to +appear until dinner-time. As Dorothy had expressed it, she knew the +proper propriety for a proprietor, and she proposed to live up to it. + +But of course when Fairy and Lilian, on the west veranda, heard the +commotion in the small parlor, they could restrain their curiosity no +longer, and insisted on being told all about it. + +So Dorothy and Leicester calmed down a little, and assured them that the +whole thing had passed off beautifully; that the arrival had been a +howling success, and that Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner were now established +boarders at the Dorrance Domain. + +Then Dorothy went out to the kitchen to superintend carefully the +preparations for dinner. She had decided that since the Dorrance Domain +had become a hotel, it was proper to have dinner at night, and luncheon +in the middle of the day. + +Once over the comical farce of registering, the advent of the Faulkners +took on an aspect not entirely humorous, and Dorothy's sense of serious +responsibility came back to her. Kathleen, too, with her native Irish +wit realized the gravity of the occasion, and went about her duties in a +steady, capable way that greatly helped to reassure Dorothy. + +And indeed, matters seemed to be progressing most smoothly. The dinner +was well under way, and the table daintily set. + +Fairy had brought flowers from Mrs. Hickox's garden, and she and Lilian +had decorated the table and the dining-room. Dorothy had concluded that +they would all sit together at the round table that night, and then if +the Faulkners preferred a table to themselves, it could be arranged +later. + +After a careful supervision, Dorothy left the dinner in charge of her +really competent cook and waitress, and went back to the family. She +found them all on the west veranda, where they usually congregated at +sunset time. + +With them were the Faulkners; and in a pretty summer house-gown, Mrs. +Faulkner looked so sweet and dainty, that Dorothy felt more than ever +attracted to her. Mr. Faulkner was engaged in a pleasant conversation +with Grandma Dorrance; and Dorothy suddenly felt that to be the +proprietor of a summer hotel was just the nicest thing a girl could do. + +"You've no idea," Mrs. Faulkner was saying, as Dorothy came out, "what a +delightful change this is from the noise and glitter of the Horton +House. This lovely great veranda, and the beautiful view of the lake, +with no inharmonious elements, makes me feel glad I'm alive." + +"I'm glad you are alive, too," said Dorothy, smiling at the lady; "and +I'm glad you live here." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AMBITIONS + + +It was truly astonishing, even to Dorothy, how easily the machinery of a +big hotel could be made to move along. The Dorrances all agreed that the +Faulkners were no trouble at all, and that their presence in the +Dorrance Domain added greatly to the happiness of all concerned. +Doubtless the explanation of this lay in several different facts. To +begin with, the Faulkners were most charming people; refined, tactful, +and kind-hearted. It was their nature to make as little trouble as +possible, wherever they might be. + +On the other side, Dorothy's determination to succeed in her enterprise, +grew with what it fed upon, and she became day by day more capable +through experience. Also, she was ably assisted by Leicester and the +girls, who were always ready to do anything she wished them to. Then, +the servants were certainly treasures, and as Dorothy said, it would be +a perfect idiot of a hotel proprietor who couldn't succeed under such +advantages as she had. + +With her success her ambitions grew. + +Again sitting on the east veranda, one afternoon, she found herself +wishing that another buggy would drive up and deposit two more such +people as the Faulkners at her hotel office. If she could succeed with +two, why not with four, or even six? + +Indeed, in her imagination she saw a long procession of buggies bringing +eager guests to the hospitality of the Dorrance Domain. + +Acting on an impulse, she went in search of Mrs. Faulkner, and found +that lady just coming down-stairs, dressed for afternoon, and quite +ready for a chat. + +So Dorothy carried her off to one of her favorite nooks which was a +little vine-clad arbor on the east lawn. + +This proprietor and guest had become firm friends in the few days they +had been together. Dorothy admired Mrs. Faulkner's lovely gracious +disposition, and her clever cultivated mind. Mrs. Faulkner saw great +possibilities in Dorothy's character and took a sincere interest in the +girl. Aside from this there was that subtle, inexplicable bond of +sympathetic congeniality, which makes a real friendship possible. + +"I want to talk to you seriously," said Dorothy. + +"I'm all attention," said Mrs. Faulkner; "proceed with your +seriousness." + +"You and Mr. Faulkner have been here a week to-morrow," Dorothy went on, +"and----" + +"And you can't stand us any longer,--and you want to break it to me +gently?" + +"No, indeed, nothing of the sort! and you know that well. But I want to +ask you frankly, and I want you to tell me honestly, how I have +succeeded this week in what I have undertaken." + +"What have you undertaken?" said Mrs. Faulkner, who dearly loved to make +Dorothy formulate her thoughts. + +"Why, I undertook to give you and Mr. Faulkner, in a general way, and so +far as I could, just such comforts and accommodations as you would get +at the average summer hotel." + +"Is that all you tried to do?" + +"I think," said Dorothy, speaking slowly, and thinking hard, "I think I +tried to give you a little bit extra, in the way of home comforts and +dainty service, to make up for the things that the average summer hotel +provides, but which I can't give you." + +"Like a brass band, for instance." + +"Yes, a brass band, and a great array of bell-boys and porters, and +Saturday night hops, and,--lots of things like that." + +"Well," said Mrs. Faulkner, "to tell you the truth, I don't care two +straws for brass bands, or Saturday night hops; and Mr. Faulkner doesn't +either. We are both charmed with this place, and we are both absolutely +happy and comfortable. So, if you are willing, we are quite ready to +prolong our stay indefinitely. Mr. Faulkner enjoys the quiet and freedom +from interruption, while he is pursuing his scientific studies. And as +for myself, I want to get well rested this summer, for during the +winter, my city life is very full of gayety and excitement." + +"I'm so glad you are satisfied," said Dorothy, earnestly; "for this was +an experiment, and I was so anxious it should succeed. Of course, on my +side it is more than satisfactory. You and Mr. Faulkner are ideal +boarders; you make no trouble at all, and you have helped me in lots of +ways by your advice and suggestions. Now I want to ask your advice some +more. You know what I can do,--you know the house, and all,--do you +think, if I could get them, I could take two or three more boarders?" + +"Do _you_ think you could?" asked Mrs. Faulkner, smiling at Dorothy's +eager face. + +"Yes, I think so; but sometimes, you know, I'm apt to overrate my own +ability. I could do the work all right,--or have it done,--but I'm not +sure whether I could manage to satisfy people who might not be so lovely +and amiable as you and Mr. Faulkner are. And another thing, I wouldn't +want any more boarders if it would bother or annoy you two the least +mite." + +"Why do you think you would like to have more?" + +"Because, Mrs. Faulkner, I want to earn more money. Grandmother is +bothered with her financial affairs, and if we children could help her +any, we'd all be so glad. You see we are an awful expense to her; but +soon, I hope we'll be old enough to earn money for her instead. Now of +course to have two boarders is a good help towards the living expenses +of our own family; and I've counted up, and I think if I could have +four, it would almost entirely pay our running account. And if I had +six, I think we might begin to save money. Oh, Mrs. Faulkner, do you +think we could do it?" + +"Where would you get these boarders?" + +"I don't know; but I thought I would ask you first, and see if you +objected to having other people here. And then, if you didn't, I thought +perhaps I'd write to some of my friends in the city, and see if any of +them wanted to come up for a few weeks." + +"You are a brave little girl, Dorothy," said Mrs. Faulkner, looking into +the eager anxious eyes upturned to hers; "and I must tell you how much +I appreciate your love for your grandmother, and your courage and pluck +in taking up this burden of the family fortunes. I have watched you +through the week, and I have noticed your many little self-denials and +your unfailing patience and perseverance. _I_ know who walked over to +Woodport and back yesterday in the hot sun, in order that I might have +cream for my peaches last night at dinner." + +"Oh, how did you know?" cried Dorothy, blushing at her friend's praise; +"but there was really nobody to send,--the children had been on several +errands,--and so I just went myself." + +"Yes, I know it; and that is only one instance that shows your +determination to have things right. And with that plucky perseverance of +yours, and with your pleasant house, and good helpers, I see no reason +why you shouldn't take a few more boarders if you can get the right +kind. Of course it wouldn't annoy Mr. Faulkner nor myself to have some +other people here; and even if it did, we would have no right or wish +to stand in your way. When you reach the stage of brass bands, and +Saturday hops, that will be time for us to leave you, and push on into +the wilderness." + +"You needn't begin to pack your things to-day," said Dorothy, smiling, +"as it isn't at all likely I can persuade anybody to come,--let alone a +brass band." + +"Suppose I present you with two more guests," said Mrs. Faulkner. + +"Oh," cried Dorothy, "do you know of anybody? Who are they?" + +"You may not like them altogether. They are two ladies who are now over +at the Horton House. They are not enjoying it there, and they asked me +to let them know if I found any place which I thought they would like. +I'm sure they would like it here, and I know they would be glad to come; +but, to be honest about it, they are a little fussy in some ways. They +are spinsters, from Boston, and though they are refined and well-bred +ladies, they are sometimes a little exacting in their requirements." + +"I wouldn't mind what their requirements were, if I could meet them to +their satisfaction." + +"You mustn't take that stand too strictly, Dorothy dear; it is well to +try to give your guests satisfaction, but some requirements are +unreasonable, and it is a mistake to grant them. If these ladies come, +you must exercise your judgment in your treatment of them, for they're +the kind who are quite likely to impose on your good nature." + +"Do you think they would come? How can I find out about them?" + +"Yes, I'm sure they would come; and if you wish me to, I will write to +them." + +"Oh, thank you; I wish you would, please; that is, after I have spoken +to grandma, and to the other children about it. What are their names?" + +"Van Arsdale. Miss Marcia and Miss Amanda. They are quite as imposing as +their names sound; but you need not be really afraid of them. Remember +the Faulkners will always protect you from their ferocity." + +Dorothy laughed; and kissing her good friend, ran away to find the +other children. Having gathered them together, they all went up to +Grandma Dorrance's room for a caucus. + +"It's a new plan!" exclaimed Dorothy, perching herself on grandma's +bureau. As a rule, the more excited the Dorrances were, the higher seats +they selected. At present the twins were sitting on the headboard of the +bed, and Fairy was making unsuccessful endeavors to climb up on the +mantelpiece. + +Grandma Dorrance, well accustomed to these gymnastics, sat in her easy +chair, and placidly awaited Dorothy's further announcement. + +"You see," Dorothy went on, "we've made, and we are making a great +success of our boarders. I've just had a talk with Mrs. Faulkner and +she's quite satisfied; and goodness knows _we_ are." + +"Yes," said Fairy, from a heap of sofa-pillows into which she had just +tumbled, "I do think they are the loveliest people. Why, Mr. Faulkner +says he's going to send to New York for a book, a-purpose for me. It's a +lovely book, all about bugs and slugs and ear-wigs. We went walking +yesterday, and he showed me the funny little houses where beetles and +things live in. Oh, he _is_ a nice man!" + +"Yes," said Dorothy, starting afresh; "it's a great success all around; +and therefore, my beloved brethren, this is my plan. If two boarders are +good, four boarders are twice as good; and so, what do you think of +taking two more guests into our hotel?" + +"At the same rates?" asked Lilian. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, "at the same rates. Just think! that will give us +sixty dollars a week income, and it won't cost us much more than that to +live, even with four boarders." + +"Hooray!" cried Leicester, flinging a pillow up in the air, and catching +it on his head, "hooray for the great financier! proprietor of the +Dorrance Domain!" + +This was followed by a series of ear-splitting cheers; a performance in +which the Dorrances had indulged but seldom during the past week; but +just now the occasion really seemed to demand it. + +"Who are your millionaire friends?" asked Leicester, "and when do they +arrive?" + +"Oh, they don't know yet themselves, that they're coming," said Dorothy, +airily; "and they're two ladies, and their name is Van Arsdale, and +they're very aristocratic, and they want to be waited on every minute, +and I'm sure they won't want any of us to make a speck of noise while +they're here." + +A long low growl from Lilian, started the Dorrance groan, and the other +three joined in with such force and energy, that the next day Mr. +Faulkner inquired privately of grandma the meaning of the fearful sounds +he had heard the day before. + +When they were quiet again, Dorothy explained the whole thing +rationally, and they were all much pleased with her plan. + +Grandma feared that the added responsibility would be too much for her +oldest granddaughter; but the rest all promised to help, and the girls +agreed that they could do even more of the parlor and dining-room work, +and so give Tessie more time to help Kathleen in the kitchen. + +"I suppose the Van Arsdale ladies will register," said Leicester, with a +sudden remembrance of his last experience as a clerk. + +"Yes, of course," said Dorothy; "and we mustn't giggle this time, +either. I'm not at all sure they'll come, but I hope they will; and of +course, if they do they must be received properly." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE VAN ARSDALE LADIES + + +The Van Arsdale ladies did decide to come. On the receipt of Mrs. +Faulkner's note they concluded that the Dorrance Domain was just the +place for them, and they immediately began to make preparations for +leaving the Horton House. + +"Though it's a very queer thing, Amanda," the elder Miss Van Arsdale +said to her sister, "it's a very queer thing for a young girl to be +proprietor of a hotel. I must confess I don't understand it. And I'm not +sure I want to be mixed up with any such ridiculous doings." + +"But Mrs. Faulkner says that it's all right; and that we four will be +the only boarders. That seems to me very exclusive. You know the +Faulkners are all right,--her mother was a Frelinghuysen. I'm not afraid +to risk it, as long as they recommend it." + +"Well, we'll try it for a week, as Mrs. Faulkner advised; and if we +don't like the girl proprietor, we won't have to stay any longer." + +"I don't know what she can be, I'm sure. She can't be of our kind." + +Judging from the effect presented to the eye, the Van Arsdale ladies and +Dorothy Dorrance were not of the same kind. + +They were both elderly spinsters of the type that looks older than it +really is, yet tries to seem younger. They were tall and spare with high +cheek bones, and aquiline, aristocratic noses. These noses seemed to +turn up at everything; and though literally they didn't turn up at all, +yet the effect of turning up was always there. Their large, light blue +eyes were capable of a powerful and penetrating gaze, that was apt to be +extremely disconcerting to the object of their stare. Both ladies had +really beautiful hair of a soft, gray color, which they wore rolled over +high pompadours. They were wealthy, and though economical and even +penurious in some respects, each possessed an inordinate love of dress, +and was willing to spend large sums for gorgeous fabrics made up in the +latest styles. The incongruity of these middle aged and far from +beautiful spinsters, trailing around soft exquisite robes of dainty +coloring, and exquisitely made, afforded much scope for wonderment and +curiosity wherever they went. + +But the sisters cared little or nothing for the comments passed upon +them. They bought their clothes, and wore them, purely for their own +selfish enjoyment; and met with stares of cold contempt, the +half-sarcastic praises offered by some daring ladies at the hotel. + +The day that the Van Arsdales were expected at the Dorrance Domain, +Dorothy and Leicester were prepared to receive them as they had the +others. Lilian and Fairy were allowed to witness the performance this +time, on the strict conditions that they were not to laugh, and none of +the four were to look at each other. + +And so when the Horton House stage came over for the second time, +Grandma Dorrance, the three Dorrance girls, and the two Faulkners were +on the veranda, while Leicester stood nobly at his post in the office. + +Mr. Hickox appeared duly, and made everything all right as usual. But +when he assisted the Van Arsdale ladies out of the stage, he remarked to +himself that his wife would certainly be surprised if she could see them +dresses. + +The elder Miss Van Arsdale wore a silk of the exquisite shade known as +pastel blue; it was made with a jaunty little jacket, opening over an +elaborate white lace waist. A long gold chain hung around her neck, from +which depended innumerable lockets, charms, pencils, purses and +vinaigrettes, in a bewildering array. Her blue hat was decked with white +ostrich plumes, and though Dorothy had been prepared by Mrs. Faulkner +for this display, yet she had not expected quite such a gorgeous +spectacle. + +Miss Amanda Van Arsdale followed her sister; she wore a liberty silk +gown of an old rose color, and a hat with long black ostrich feathers. +She wore no necklace, but from her belt was suspended a large square bag +made entirely of overlapping plates of gold, in which doubtless she +carried the various impedimenta that her sister exhibited. + +Though over-elaborate, these costumes were made in the latest fashion, +and they looked like beautiful and costly gowns, which by some absurd +mistake had been put on the wrong wearers. + +The two advanced with a haughty and somewhat supercilious air, and Mr. +and Mrs. Faulkner rose to greet them. Introductions to the Dorrances +followed, and then Miss Van Arsdale raised her _lorgnon_, and treated +Dorothy to a prolonged inspection. + +"And you are the proprietor of this hotel?" she said. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, smiling; "I am." + +"Well," said Miss Van Arsdale, "you can't fool me. You look to me quite +capable of being the proprietor of anything." + +And somehow, in spite of her peculiar appearance and her brusque ways, +Dorothy felt at once a decided liking for Miss Marcia Van Arsdale. + +Mrs. Faulkner gave a little nod of satisfaction as she saw the good +understanding between these two, and Mr. Faulkner said, genially: + +"Yes, we think our proprietor a very capable young woman." + +Then Dorothy ushered the ladies in to the office and paused at the desk. + +Leicester confessed afterwards that he almost fell off his stool when he +saw Dorothy bringing in two Birds of Paradise, with their feathers +freshly painted. But at the time he preserved a straight face, and +politely offered the register and the pen. + +Miss Marcia, in a bold, dashing hand, signed for them both, and then +Dorothy went herself to their rooms with them,--the faithful Hickox +bringing up the rear. + +On reaching the rooms, Dorothy offered to assist the ladies in removing +their hats and veils, but Miss Marcia only stared at her. "Send me a +maid," she said; "a lady's maid." + +Then Dorothy, who was acting under Mrs. Faulkner's direction, said +quietly: + +"Miss Van Arsdale, this is not a fully equipped hotel, and we do not +have ladies' maids. The chambermaid, Tessie, will attend to your rooms, +and such outside service as you may require. Also, my sisters and I will +be glad to help you occasionally, as we often help one another. But a +regular ladies' maid to assist at your toilet, we cannot provide. May I +help you unpin your veil?" + +Miss Marcia Van Arsdale looked at Dorothy again through her glasses. + +"You're the right sort," she said, "and I like your plain speaking. I'm +plain-spoken myself. We'll get along all right, and I shall send for my +parrot." + +"Oh," exclaimed Dorothy, "have you a parrot?" + +"Yes, a very beautiful and valuable bird. But I never take her anywhere, +until I know just what sort of a place it's going to be. I shall send +for her to-morrow." + +Not knowing the high esteem in which Miss Van Arsdale held her parrot, +Dorothy did not fully appreciate the magnitude of this compliment. So +she merely said, "We shall be very glad to welcome Polly." + +"I do not allow her to be called Polly," said Miss Van Arsdale, with a +sudden return to her supercilious manner. "My bird's name is Mary,--and +I strongly disapprove of nicknames of any sort." + +A parrot named Mary struck Dorothy as very funny, but she was learning +to control her sense of humor when necessary, and she replied: "Very +well, Miss Van Arsdale, we shall be glad to welcome Mary." + +"Thank you," said Miss Van Arsdale, formally; "and I will ask you to +have her cage moved about at my direction, during the day, in accordance +with the sun and the weather." + +Dorothy considered a minute, and concluded that this was one of the +times to humor Miss Van Arsdale. + +So she said, "I will see to it that the cage is placed wherever you +desire." + +The repetition of this conversation to the others caused great hilarity. + +"Mary!" cried Leicester; "a parrot called Mary! but _I_ should not dare +be so familiar with the bird as to call her Mary. I shall say Miss Mary, +and shall always address her with my best dancing-school bow." + +The parrot arrived duly, and proved to be such a superior bird, and so +interesting and attractive, that the children all fell in love with her. +The name of Polly was entirely unsuited to such a dignified creature, +and Mary seemed far more appropriate. + +The bird's plumage was of brilliant coloring, and Lilian declared that +the Van Arsdale ladies copied their own clothes from Miss Mary's. The +parrot was an exceedingly fine talker, and readily picked up new +phrases. + +Whenever the Van Arsdale ladies entered the room, Mary would remark, +"Hurrah for Miss Marcia!" or, "Hurrah for Miss Amanda!" as the case +might be. This hurrahing was quite in line with the Dorrances' own mode +of expression, and they soon taught Mary to hurrah for each of them by +name. + +Although on the whole, the Misses Van Arsdale were satisfactory +boarders, they were far more difficult than the easy-going Faulkners. +Miss Marcia had a most irritating way of popping out of her room, and +calling over the banister, "Clerk, clerk!" + +Since the moment of registration, she had looked upon Leicester as the +official clerk of the hotel, and applied to him a dozen times a day for +things that she wanted or thought she wanted. + +Usually these applications were made by screaming from the head of the +staircase. Sometimes the request was for stationery,--again for hot +water, warm water, cold water, or ice water. Miss Amanda, too, made +similar demands, and was given to calling for a glass of milk at five +o'clock in the morning, or a few sandwiches after everybody had retired +for the night. + +But Dorothy was learning that the way to success is not always a +primrose path, and she cheerfully did her best to accede to such of +these demands as she considered just and reasonable. And she tried, too, +to look at the justice and reasonableness from the standpoint of her +guests' rather than her own opinions. + +The children had agreed that whenever Miss Marcia desired Mary's cage +moved, any one of the four was to do it. And it was fortunate that the +task was thus divided, for Miss Marcia was fussy, and twenty times a +day, or more, one of the Dorrances might be seen carrying the large cage +from the hall to the veranda, from the veranda to the parlor, from the +parlor to the upper balcony, and so on. + +But as careful attention to Mary's welfare was one of the principal +conditions of the Van Arsdales' continued stay at the Dorrance Domain, +and too, as the children were one and all devoted to the bird, this work +was not objected to. + +Dorothy was most anxious to keep her four boarders through the rest of +the summer. For the plan was working successfully, and though providing +a well-spread and even bounteous table, Dorothy found she could save a +little money. She was not avaricious nor mercenary, but she longed to be +able, at the close of the season, to present Grandma Dorrance with at +least a small sum of money, to help pay their winter expenses. + +And so, when Miss Marcia one day made a proposition to her, Dorothy +hailed it with delight. + +The suggestion was that Miss Van Arsdale should ask her niece to come up +to the Dorrance Domain to board, and to bring her whole family. + +The family consisted of Mrs. Black, three small children and two nurses; +Mr. Black might possibly come up occasionally, but would remain only a +few days at a time. + +Children! Dorothy remembered only too well, how children were objected +to in boarding-houses, and she wondered if she dare undertake to have +them in her hotel. She realized, too, that six or seven more people +would necessitate some radical changes in her methods, and in her +household appointments. Indeed, it meant a change from an experiment to +the real thing. It meant assuming obligations much more formal than she +was under towards her present guests. + +On the other hand, Mrs. Black was wealthy, Miss Van Arsdale said, and +quite willing to pay generously for all she received. + +"I want to do it, Miss Marcia," said Dorothy,--"I want to do it very +much; but it is a big question to decide. So I'll take twenty-four hours +to think it over, and to discuss it with the others, and to-morrow I +will let you know." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A REAL HOTEL + + +At the family conference on the subject, Grandma Dorrance said No. The +gentle old lady was more than usually decided, and she said, that while +the Faulkners and Van Arsdales were charming people, and more like +visitors than boarders, a family of children, with nurses, was an +altogether different matter, and meant far more trouble and +complications than Dorothy could realize. + +"Oh, grannymother dear," said Dorothy, "I don't think so. Miss Marcia +says that Mrs. Black is a lovely lady, not a bit fussy; and children and +nurses can't be as much responsibility as grown people. Why, they +wouldn't be critical at all." + +"Not critical, perhaps, but far more troublesome in their own way." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Leicester; "the reason people didn't want us +children in boarding-houses was because we made so much noise. Now we +don't care how much noise these kids make, and there's room enough for +the people who do care, to get away from the racket." + +"We would have to have more servants," said Lilian; "and wouldn't that +cut down the profits a good deal?" + +"I've been thinking about that," said Dorothy, "and I've come to this +conclusion. If we should take all these people, we would have to get +another chambermaid, and another helper in the kitchen. A young girl to +pare the vegetables, and help with the dish washing. Of course with so +many extra people, more waitresses will be necessary; but as you say, +Lilian, if we hire a lot of servants it will make our profits pretty +slim. And so I propose that we three girls wait on the table." + +"Oh, no, children," cried Grandma Dorrance; "I won't allow anything of +that sort!" + +"Now wait a minute, grandma," said Dorothy; "don't say things that +you'll just have to take back afterwards. There is no disgrace at all in +waiting on a table. Lots of college girls and boys do it right along, +in the colleges,--and they go to summer hotels, too, and wait on the +tables there. Now we children want to earn some money to help you; after +you've taken care of us all these years, I'm sure it's no more than +right. And if this way of earning money isn't easier and pleasanter than +going into a store, I'll give up. What do the rest of you say?" + +"I say, let's go ahead," declared Leicester; "if the four of us agree, +we can persuade grandma. She never really refused us anything in our +lives. And as to waiting on the table, I'd just as leave do it myself, +as not. As you say, Dot, lots of college fellows do it, and it's no more +disgrace than being president. And then we can all eat by ourselves +afterwards, and have a jolly old time." + +"I'd love to wait on the table," said Fairy; "I think it would be +gorgeous fun. Shall we all wear caps, and aprons with big white wings +sticking out of the shoulders?" + +"No," said Dorothy, "not caps. We'll wear white aprons, but not with +shoulder-ruffles." + +"I shall have shoulder-ruffles on mine," said Leicester, decidedly; +"and I shall wear a cap, too." + +Even grandma laughed at this; but Dorothy said, "No, Less, I don't want +you to wait on the table, at least not until we really need you. We +girls can do it, with Tessie's help." + +"Well, what _can_ I do?" said Leicester; "it won't take all my time to +register the people who come." + +"There'll be enough for you to do, old fellow," said Dorothy; "you can +go to market every day, and answer Miss Marcia's calls, and move Mary +around. Then if you have any time left, you can amuse the three Black +babies." + +"Pickaninnies, are they?" said Leicester; "then I'll fill them up on +watermelon." + +Although Grandma Dorrance weakened somewhat in her disapproval of the +plan, yet it was not until Mrs. Faulkner was called in, and her opinion +asked, that grandma gave an entire consent. + +Mrs. Faulkner was so sweet and sensible about the whole matter, and so +judicious in her advice and suggestions, that grandma was much +influenced by her view of the case. + +Mrs. Faulkner quite agreed with Dorothy about the girls acting as +waitresses, and strongly approved of the children's desire to add to +their finances. + +She also advised Dorothy to charge good prices for the accommodation of +the children and nurses, because, she said, they were quite as great a +responsibility in their way, as Mrs. Black herself. + +As Dorothy had hoped, Mr. Bill Hodges was able to recommend a young girl +whom he knew, to help Kathleen in the kitchen; and Tessie knew of a +competent chambermaid who would be glad to come up from the city for a +while. + +So Dorothy wrote to Mrs. Black, and stated frankly what she had to +offer, and what her rates were, and Mrs. Black telegraphed back that she +might expect the whole family as soon as they could get there. + +And so it came to pass, that again Leicester stood behind his open +register, and the proprietor of the Dorrance Domain awaited her new +relay of guests. + +Though Dorothy was not as much embarrassed this time, as when she +expected her first guests, and had far less sense of humor in the +situation, she had a better poise and a greater self-confidence, which +came necessarily from her so far successful experiences. + +But when she saw the cavalcade approaching, her heart began to beat a +little faster, and worse than that, she found it impossible to keep from +laughing. + +The Blacks had come up by rail, and had apparently annexed all the +available vehicles at the station to transport them. There was a +rockaway first, then two buggies, then two large spring wagons, and then +a buckboard. In the wagons were several trunks, three baby-carriages and +a number of queer-shaped forms carefully wrapped, which afterwards +proved to be portable bath-tubs, a cradle and a folding crib. + +Dorothy began to think that for once, Mr. Hickox would not prove equal +to the occasion; but he reassured her with his usual statements that it +would be all right, and that he would look after things. + +The rockaway came first, and Mr. and Mrs. Black were helped out by Mr. +Hickox in his most official manner. + +Mrs. Black was a delicate, helpless-looking little lady; very pretty, in +a pale blonde way, and seemingly very dependent on her big, good-looking +husband. Mr. Benjamin Black was one of those hearty, cordial-mannered +men, who make friends at once. + +He brought Mrs. Black up the steps, and advancing to Dorothy with +outstretched hand, said pleasantly: "I'm sure this is our proprietor, +Miss Dorrance." + +"Yes," said Dorothy, put at her ease at once, and shaking hands with +them both; "I'm very glad to see you." + +"We are glad to be here," said Mr. Black. "The trip was very warm and +tiresome. But this place is most charming." + +"And so cool and quiet," said Mrs. Black, sinking into a chair, and +looking, Dorothy thought, as if she never meant to rise again. + +By this time the other vehicles were depositing their cargoes, both +human and freight, and for a moment Dorothy wondered if the Dorrance +Domain were large enough to hold the entire collection. + +One of the nurses was French, and was talking volubly in her own +language to the two children who held her by the hands. One of these +children, a girl of five years, was answering her nurse, also in French; +while the other, a younger boy, was crying loudly, but whether in French +or English, nobody could quite make out. + +The other nurse was a large and stout German woman, who was crooning a +German folk-song to the baby she carried in her arm. Apparently the baby +cared little for German music, for the small infant was pounding its +nurse's face with both tiny fists, and making strange gurgling sounds +which might be caused either by joy or grief. + +All these people came up on the veranda; and after persuading one of the +drivers to stay and help him, Mr. Hickox began to carry the luggage into +the house. + +With a successful effort at composure, Dorothy paid no attention to the +children and nurses, and conducted Mr. Black to the office. + +"Ah," said he to Leicester; "how do you do, sir, how do you do? Fine +place you have up here. Very fine place. Glad I brought my family. Hope +they won't make you any trouble." + +As the commotion on the veranda seemed to increase each moment, +Leicester did not echo this hope, but spoke pleasantly to Mr. Black, and +turned the register towards him. + +The gentleman registered Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Black, Miss Sylvia Black, +Master Montmorency Black, Miss Gwendolen Genevieve Black, Mlle. +Celestine, and Fraülein Lisa Himmelpfennig. + +Leicester looked proudly at this array of names which reached half-way +down the page, and ringing for Mr. Hickox, he gave him the keys of the +rooms set aside for the party, and the caravan started up-stairs. + +Dorothy went with them, both because she thought it proper to do so, and +because she felt an interest in seeing the family properly distributed. + +Leicester left his official desk, and found plenty to do in disposing of +the baby-carriages, and the other paraphernalia. + +It was strange, Dorothy thought to herself as she came down-stairs, how +much more easily, and as a matter of course she took the Blacks' arrival +than she had the previous ones. + +"I must have been born for a hotel proprietor," she said to herself; +"for I don't feel any worry or anxiety about the dinner or anything. I +just _know_ everything will be all right." + +As she reached the foot of the staircase, she met Fairy, who was just +carrying Mary's cage into the north parlor. + +"Hurrah for Dorothy!" croaked the parrot, catching sight of her. + +"Ah, Miss Mary, you'll have a lot of new names to hurrah for now, and +jaw-breakers at that. I shouldn't wonder if they'd break even a parrot's +jaw, and they may bend that big yellow beak of yours." + +"She can learn them," said Fairy, confidently. "Miss Mary can learn +anything. She's the cleverest, smartest, educatedest bird in the whole +world. There's _nothing_ she can't learn." + +"Pretty Mary," said the bird in its queer, croaking voice; "move Mary's +cage. Hurrah for Fairy!" + +"There, just hear that!" exclaimed Fairy, proudly; "now I rather guess a +bird like that could learn to hurrah for anybody." + +"Well," said Dorothy, "but you don't know yet that these children's +names are Gwendolen Genevieve, and Montmorency." + +"What!" cried Fairy, nearly dropping the cage, "of course no parrot +could learn such names as those." + +"And Miss Marcia objects to nicknames," said Dorothy. "These new people +aren't a bit like their aunts, though." + +"When are they coming down?" asked Lilian, who had joined her sisters; +"I wish they'd get that procession of baby-carriages started. I want to +see the show." + +At that moment, the French nurse, Celestine, came down-stairs with the +two older children. The little ones had been freshly dressed, and looked +extremely pretty. Sylvia was in crisp white muslin, with fluttering +bows of pink ribbon, and Montmorency wore a boyish garb of white piqué. + +"Won't you speak to me?" asked Lilian, putting out her hand to the +little girl. + +"No," said the child, hiding her face in her nurse's apron; "do away. +I's af'aid." + +"Mees Sylvie,--she is afraid of everything," said Celestine; "she is a +naughty--naughty,--a bad ma'amselle." + +"No, no," cried Sylvia; "me not bad. Me dood ma'selle." + +"Me dood!" announced three year old Montmorency; "me no ky. On'y babies +ky. Me bid man!" + +"You are good," said Fairy, "and you're a nice big man. Come with me, +and I'll show you where I'm going to put this pretty green bird." + +"Ess," said the little boy, and grasping hold of Fairy's frock he +willingly trotted along by her side. + +Whereupon Sylvia, overcoming her bashfulness, concluded she, too, wanted +to go with the green bird. + +So Celestine and her charges accompanied the Dorrance girls to the north +parlor, and there they found the Van Arsdale ladies, who sat waiting in +state to receive their newly arrived relatives. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +UPS AND DOWNS + + +The days that followed were crammed full of both business and pleasure. +Dorothy rose each morning, buoyant with eager hope that all would go +well, and went to bed each night, rejoicing in the fact that in the main +it had done so. + +There was plenty of work to do; but it was cheerfully done, and many +hands made it light, and comparatively easy. There were many small +worries and anxieties, but they were overcome by perseverance and +determination. + +The Dorrance pride was inherent in all four children, and having set +their hand to the plough, not only were they unwilling to turn back, but +they were determined to make the best possible furrow. Although Dorothy +was at the helm, and all important matters were referred to her, yet the +others had their appointed tasks and did them each day, promptly and +well. + +Now that the Domain had assumed more of the character of a hotel, the +Dorrances saw less of their boarders, socially. Also the large +dining-room was used, and the guests seated in families at various +tables. This gave a far more hotel-like air to the house, and though +perhaps not quite as pleasant, it seemed to Dorothy the right thing to +do. + +The Faulkners were ideal boarders; the Van Arsdales, though more +exacting, were just and considerate; but the Blacks, as Leicester +expressed it, were a caution. + +Mrs. Black was a continual and never-pausing fusser. Mr. Black remained +two days to get them settled, and then returned to the city. Immediately +after his departure, Mrs. Black insisted on changing her room. + +"I didn't want to bother my husband about it," she said to Dorothy, "for +he thinks I'm so fickle-minded; but truly, it isn't that. You see, the +sun gets around to this room at just half-past three, and that's the +time I'm always taking my nap, and so of course it wakes me up. Now you +see, I can't stand that,--when I came up here for rest and recuperation. +And so, my dear Miss Dorrance, if you don't mind, I'll just take some +other room. I'm sure you have plenty of them, and if that big, strong +Mr. Hickox will help move my things, I'm sure it will be no trouble at +all. Perhaps your sister Fairy will look after the children a little +bit, while Celestine and Lisa assist me. The baby is asleep, and perhaps +she won't waken, but if she does, would Miss Lilian mind holding her for +just a little while? or she might take her out in her baby-carriage for +a bit of a ride. I'm sorry to be troublesome, but you see for yourself, +I really can't help it." + +If Mrs. Black really _was_ sorry to be troublesome, she must have been +sorry most of the time. For she was everlastingly making changes of some +sort, or desiring attention from somebody, and she quite imposed on the +good nature of the younger Dorrances, by begging them to take care of +her children upon all too frequent occasions. Once, even Leicester was +surprised to find himself wheeling Montmorency up and down the veranda, +while Mrs. Black finished a letter to go in the mail. + +The Van Arsdale ladies also were under the calm, but imperious sway of +their fragile-looking niece. It was nothing unusual to see Miss Marcia +and Miss Amanda each holding one of the fretful children, and making +frantic endeavors to amuse their young relatives. The nurses were +competent, but Mrs. Black so often had errands for them that their young +charges were frequently in the care of other people. + +Dorothy talked this matter over with Mrs. Faulkner, and as usual was +wisely counseled by that lady. She advised, that in so far as Lilian and +Fairy wished to play with the Black children, they should do so; but in +no way were they under obligation to assist Mrs. Black in the care of +her little ones. And, if she requested this at times when the girls had +duties to perform, or indeed at a time when they wished to take their +recreation, Mrs. Faulkner said they were perfectly justified in asking +Mrs. Black to excuse them. + +Dorothy told this to her sisters, who were thereby much relieved; for +though fond of the children, they did not, as Lilian said, wish to be +pushing around those Black babies in perambulators from morning till +night. But somehow the babies caused a great deal of commotion, and +Dorothy began to understand why boarding-house keepers preferred grown +people. + +One day as the Dorrance girls sat on the veranda, Celestine came running +to them, wringing her hands, after her French method of showing great +dismay, and exclaiming: + +"Mees Sylvie,--she have fallen into ze lake!" + +"What!" exclaimed the three girls at once, jumping up, and running +towards the lake; "where did she fall in? How did it happen?" + +"Non, non,--not zat way! zis a-way," and Celestine started down a path +that did not lead towards the lake. "I have pull her out; she is not +drown,--but she is,--oh, so ver' soil,--so, vat you say,--muddy, oh, so +much muddy!" + +"Never mind the mud if the child isn't drowned," cried Lilian; "but +this is not the way to the lake. You said she fell in the lake." + +"Not ze gran' lake, mees, but ze small lake,--ze ver' small, p'tit +lake." + +"Oh, she means nothing but a mud-puddle!" cried Fairy, who had run ahead +of the rest, and found Sylvia lying on the grass, chuckling with +laughter, while her pretty clothes were a mass of mud and wet. + +"I falled in!" she cried, gleefully; "I failed in all myself, when +C'lestine wasn't looking. Ain't I a funny dirl?" + +"No, I don't think it's funny," began Dorothy, and then she paused, +realizing that it was not her duty to reprimand Mrs. Black's children, +and, too, Sylvia certainly did look funny. Not only her white dress, but +her face and hands, and her dainty white slippers and stockings were +bespattered with brown mud, and Lilian said that she looked like a +chocolate éclair. + +Another day, Celestine approached Dorothy with the pleasing news that, +"Master Montmorency, he must have upsetted the blanc-mange." + +Dorothy flew to verify this statement, and found that the son of the +house of Black had indeed overturned a large dish of Bavarian cream, +which Kathleen had made for that evening's dessert. It had been set out +on the back porch to cool, and though protected by a wire screen cover, +the enterprising youth had succeeded in wrecking the whole affair. + +Dorothy's record for good-nature was seriously menaced by this +mischievous prank, and she would probably have told Mrs. Black her +honest opinion of the transgressing infant; but Kathleen's view of the +case disarmed her. + +"Whisht, now, darlint," said the big peace-maker, "niver you mind. I'll +whishk up another bowl full in a minute, shure. The shpalpeen didn't +mane anny harrum. Troth, he's nothin' but a baby. Wasn't ye wan yersilf +wanst? Go 'long wid ye, now, and lave me to me wurruk." + +This Dorothy was glad enough to do, and she walked away, feeling that +Kathleen had taught her a lesson in making allowance for the +unconsciousness of a child's wrongdoing. + +When she reached the west veranda she found the whole family and all +the guests gathered there in a great state of excitement. + +Following Lilian's pointing finger with her eyes, she saw Mary, the +parrot, perched calmly on a high limb of an evergreen-tree. + +"How did she get out?" cried Dorothy, aghast. + +"Sylvia opened the cage door," answered Lilian, "when no one was +looking,--and Mary just walked out. You should have seen her climbing +that tree. She went up branch by branch." + +The parrot looked triumphantly down at the crowd, and remarked, "Mary is +high up; Mary is very high up." + +"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, beseechingly; "come down, Mary,--pretty +Mary,--come down to Dorothy." + +"Hurrah for Dorothy!" cried the parrot,--"hurrah for Sylvia! hurrah for +the Dorrance Domain!" + +This last cheer had been taught to Mary by Leicester, after many long +and patient lessons, and never before had Mary spoken it so plainly and +distinctly. + +By this time the Van Arsdale ladies were in tears; Fairy, too, was +weeping, for she felt sure Mary would fly away and never come back. The +Black children required very little encouragement to start their +lachrymal glands, and seeing the others' tears, immediately began to +howl in various keys. + +"Don't cry, don't cry!" said Mary, from her high perch. + +"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, coaxingly, and showing an apple and a +cracker which she had procured; "come down and get your dinner." + +But no urgings would induce the bird to come down. She cocked her eye +wickedly, and hurrahed for everybody in turn, but utterly refused to +descend. + +"Ach, donnerblitzen!" exclaimed German Lisa. "Denn du bist ein dumkopf! +Kommst du jetz hinein!" + +"Ciel! what a bird it is!" wailed Celestine, wringing her hands; "ah, +Marie, belle Marie, come down, cherie!" + +But the French coaxing, and the German scolding had no more effect on +Mary than the weeping of the Van Arsdale ladies and the screaming of +the children. She fluttered her wings, and seemed about to depart. Then +she would look at them again, and with her exasperating winks, would +hurrah enthusiastically. + +"If she'll only stay there long enough, perhaps I can lasso her," said +Leicester, running in the house for a string. + +"No," said Mr. Faulkner, who followed him in, "I'm afraid that would +frighten her; but if you had a butterfly net, with a very long handle, +we might catch her with that." + +"Just the thing," said Leicester; "and there is one in the storeroom; I +remember seeing it there." + +He brought it, but the handle was not long enough; so Mr. Faulkner +proposed that they try placing a ladder against another tree near by, +and then from the top of that, endeavor to reach the bird with a net. + +Mary watched the proceedings with great interest. "Catch Mary!" she +cried; "catch pretty Mary!" + +"You bet we will!" cried Leicester, and when the ladder was adjusted he +climbed to the top of it, carrying the long-handled net with him. + +They all thought the bird would be frightened at the net and fly away, +or at least attempt to do so. + +But she seemed to think it a game in which she played an important part, +and she sat quietly on the branch, occasionally remarking, "Catch Mary, +pretty Mary!" + +With a sure aim, Leicester pushed the net towards the bird and brought +it down over her head, then with a dextrous twist, he turned it upside +down, with the bird in it, and lowered it carefully to Mr. Faulkner, who +was standing below. At this unexpected indignity, Mary set up a +ferocious squawking, the Black children redoubled their yells, and the +Dorrance children cheered with delight. + +Mary was taken from the net, unharmed, and restored to her happy +mistress, who determined to send to town at once for a padlock for the +cage door. + +But though commotions such as these were of frequent, almost daily +occurrence; yet when they were not such as to interfere with the +routine of her household management, Dorothy did not allow them to worry +her. + +Although usually busy all the morning, she found many spare hours for +rest and recreation in the afternoon; and the evenings were always +delightful. The Black children were then safely in bed, and could make +no trouble. The Dorrances were at liberty to be by themselves, or with +their boarders, as they wished. + +As Mr. Faulkner played the guitar, and Leicester could pick a little on +the mandolin, and as they all could sing,--or fancied they could,--there +were often very jolly concerts on the veranda, or, on moonlight +evenings, out in the boat. + +Mr. Black came up every week, and when he discovered the array of +musical talent already there, he brought his banjo, and added greatly to +the fun. Sometimes on rainy evenings, they would all congregate in the +great empty ballroom, and play merry games. On such occasions, the +Blacks and Faulkners seemed almost as young, and nearly as noisy as the +Dorrances. + +One day Leicester came to Dorothy, with a letter. + +"Jack Harris has just written me," he said, "and he wants to come up +here and board for a month; what do you think?" + +"Let him come, by all means," said Dorothy, heartily; "he won't be a bit +of extra trouble, and if he will pay our regular rates I shall be glad +to have him. The Dorrance Domain is now a fully established summer +hotel; and we are prepared to receive all who apply." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +TWO BOYS AND A BOAT + + +It was nearly a week after Leicester had written to Jack Harris, telling +him that he might come up and board at the hotel, when, one afternoon, +the Dorrance children heard queer sounds coming up from the direction of +the dock. + +All four ran to look over the rail of the upper landing, and saw a +strange-looking craft anchored at the dock. On the dock were two boys +and Mr. Hickox; the latter gentleman apparently much excited and +interested. + +"It's Jack Harris!" cried Leicester, "and another fellow with him; and, +oh, I say, girls, they've got a motor-boat!" + +"What's a motor-boat?" cried Fairy; but as all four were then flying +down the steps at a rapid speed, nobody answered her. + +Wondering who the second boy could be, and filled with delightful +curiosity as to the wonderful motor-boat, the Dorrances reached the +dock with astonishing rapidity. + +"Hi, Jack," cried Leicester, "thought you were coming up by train. What +a dandy boat! Yours?" + +"No," said Jack, whipping off his cap, and shaking hands with Dorothy; +"it belongs to my chum here, Bob Irwin. I've brought him along, Dorothy, +and I hope you can take us both in. Less said you had plenty of room. I +would have written, but Bob only decided to come at the last minute, and +we were so busy and excited getting the boat off, that I forgot to +telegraph, though I meant to do so." + +Bob Irwin was a big, jolly-looking boy, of about seventeen or eighteen, +and his smile was so broad and comprehensive that the Dorrances felt +acquainted at once. + +"Indeed we have plenty of room," said Dorothy, answering young Irwin's +greeting; "and we're very glad to have you both,--and your boat too," +she added, still looking with a sort of fascination at the trim little +affair. + +"She is a jolly little craft," said Bob Irwin, frankly; "I've only had +her a few weeks. I named her _Shooting Star_, because she goes like one. +We came all the way up from Jersey City by the canal." + +"All the way!" exclaimed Lilian; "what fun you must have had coming +through the locks!" + +"Well yes,--but there were so many of them. The planes were worse, +though; _Shooting Star_ didn't take to those kindly at all. However, +we're here; and if you'll keep us, we'll all have a good deal of fun on +this lake." + +"I didn't know you could come all the way by canal," said Leicester. +"Are they willing to open the locks for you?" + +"Oh, Bob's uncle is a Grand High Mogul or something in the canal +company, and he gave us a permit. I tell you it was great fun; the boat +goes like a greased arrow." + +"Would you like to go for a little spin around the lake, now, all of +you?" asked Bob. + +"No,--not now," said Dorothy, looking at her watch. "We'd love to, but +it is too near dinner-time for us to go now. You know, as hotel +proprietors, we have duties to attend to at scheduled hours; and we must +be found at our posts." + +Though said with apparent carelessness, this was really a brave bit of +self-denial on Dorothy's part. For she was eager to try the pretty boat, +and, too, there was nearly a half hour before her presence at the hotel +was actually necessary. + +But she had learned by experience that to go out on the lake was a +proceeding which could not be accurately timed, and she knew that her +duty pointed towards keeping on the safe side. Beside this, she must +have another room put in readiness, for she had expected only Jack. + +"But I _do_ want to go out in the motor-boater," cried Fairy, dancing +around the dock, and waving her arms. "Will you take us some other time, +Mr. Bob?" + +"Indeed I will," said Bob, heartily; "and anyway, it's just as well to +take our traps up now, and get settled." + +"Hickox is your man," said that long individual, suddenly interrupting +his own investigation of the marvelous boat. "Hickox'll cart your truck +up the hill. Where might it be?" + +"Here you are," and Bob sprang into the _Shooting Star_ and tossed out +three suit cases and a lot of odds and ends of luggage. "But we fellows +can carry them up." + +"No, sir, no, sir; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right." + +Jack laughed at the familiar phrases, and Bob Irwin looked on with +amusement while Mr. Hickox stowed the things in his queer-looking cart. + +"And this is for you and your sisters, Miss Dorothy," said Bob, as he +emerged with a final parcel. + +There was no mistaking the contents of the neatly tied up box of candy; +but it was of such a size that it nearly took the girls' breath away. + +"Oh, thank you," cried Dorothy, dimpling with smiles. "I haven't had a +speck of New York candy since I've been here. And the Woodville +gum-drops are so highly colored and so stiff inside, that they're not a +bit of fun." + +"They were made summer before last, too," said Leicester; "they ought to +be sold as antiques." + +"A whole big box of candy for our very own!" cried Fairy; "oh, that's +better than the promoter-boat, or whatever you call it. And part of the +candy is _my_ very own, isn't it, Mr. Bob?" + +"Yes, indeed; to do whatever you like with." + +"Then I shall give half of my share to Mrs. Hickox. She'll be _so_ +surprised. I don't believe she ever saw any real choklits or +butter-cuppers." + +Leicester carried the precious box, and the six children climbed the +steps to the Dorrance Domain. Naturally, Fairy reached the top first, +and ran up the veranda steps, shouting, "Oh, grannymother! we've got two +new boarders, and they came in an automobile-ship, and they brought a +bushel of candy, real splendiferous New York candy,--and his name is +Bob!" + +Grandma Dorrance had always liked Leicester's friend Jack, and she +willingly extended her welcome to the pleasant-faced Bob. + +The two boys were a decided addition to the gayety of the Dorrance +Domain. + +And the _Shooting Star_ proved to be an equally desirable adjunct. +Instead of rowing over to Dolan's Point each morning for the marketing, +or harnessing old Dobbin and driving there, the swift little motor-boat +did the errand in less than half the time, and was moreover a pleasure +and delight. + +Besides this there were merry excursions on the lake in the afternoons +and evenings. + +One day, when they had started out immediately after luncheon, and, +owing to Mr. Black's expected arrival, were to have a late dinner, the +six children made an exploring tour of the whole lake. + +"I want to find out," said Bob, as they started off, "what feeds this +lake. There must be several inlets and some of them large ones. A lake +nine miles long has got to be fed by something." + +"This lake is so tame it would eat out of your hand," said Leicester. + +"Even so, _I_ wouldn't want to feed it," said Dorothy; "my present array +of table boarders is quite enough for me, thank you." + +"There _is_ an inlet," said Lilian, "just this side of Dolan's Point. +The one that has the floating bridge across it, you know." + +"But that isn't enough to make any impression on this big lake," +insisted Bob; "there must be two or three arms somewhere, and if there +are, we'll find them to-day; for I'm going all around the shores of the +lake." + +So the _Shooting Star_ shot ahead, and skirted the margin of the lake +for miles and miles. + +But except the one at Dolan's Point, no inlet of any sort was +discovered, and the round trip was completed by a crowd of mystified +explorers. + +"It's the queerest thing!" said Bob, whose scientific inquiries were +prompted by a tenacious mind. "The water in Lake Ponetcong certainly +must come from somewhere." + +"I think it rains in," said Fairy, with a sage expression. "It hasn't +rained much this summer, but it rained a lot when we were in New York, +and I s'pose the water just stayed in." + +"I think it just was here from the beginning," said Lilian, "and somehow +it never got away." + +"That would do for some lakes," said Dorothy; "but here, they're always +letting it out through the locks; and it does seem as if it would have +to be filled up again, some way." + +That evening the children put the puzzling question to Mr. Faulkner. He +was a great favorite with the crowd of young people, and though a +scientific man, he was capable of making explanations that were entirely +comprehensible to their youthful minds. + +They were all interested, though perhaps Bob Irwin was more especially +so, in learning that Lake Ponetcong was fed entirely by springs in its +bed. + +This phrase pleased the Dorrance children very much, as their sense of +humor was touched by what they chose to call the spring-bed of the lake. + +But Bob was more seriously interested, and listened attentively to Mr. +Faulkner's description of what was an unusual, though not unprecedented +phenomenon. + +Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner accompanied them on their motor-boat +trips; sometimes, too, Mr. and Mrs. Black went; but the Van Arsdale +ladies refused to be persuaded to risk their lives in any such +mysterious contrivance. + +The Black children and their nurses were taken out once, but upon their +return Bob Irwin declared himself unwilling ever again to carry such an +emotional and cosmopolitan crowd. The baby shrieked and yelled in +English, the French nurse and German nurse shrieked in their respective +languages, and the way they all jumped about was really a serious menace +to safety. + +There seemed to be no end to the energies or the resources of the three +boys in providing pleasure and entertainment. + +Jack and Bob shared Leicester's duties as a matter of course; and though +Leicester protested, the others insisted on helping him in whatever he +had to do. They froze ice cream, they mowed the grass, they split +kindling-wood,--and they looked on these things as pastimes rather than +tasks. They were big, strong, good-natured fellows, and firm friends and +admirers of all the Dorrances. + +Bob declared that although he drew the line at pushing the Black babies' +perambulators, yet he was perfectly willing to act as Miss Mary's escort +whenever desired. + +One notable achievement of the boys', was a roof-garden. Jack had +discovered the possibilities of the hotel roof during his earlier visit; +and at his proposition it was arranged most attractively. + +Small evergreen trees were brought from the woods and taken up to the +roof where they were made to stand about in hedges or clusters. Rustic +chairs, settees and tables were found in the storerooms, and rugs were +placed about. Hammocks were swung, and over the top of all was rigged an +awning, which could be rolled away if desired. + +Chinese lanterns made the place gay by night, and flags and bunting +formed part of the decoration. + +Summer night concerts were often held here, and when Tessie would +appear with iced lemonade and cakes and fruit, everybody declared that +never had there been a hotel so admirably managed as the Dorrance +Domain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION + + +Though Dorothy enjoyed the fun of the motor-boat and the roof-garden, +and was always happy whether working or playing, yet perhaps she liked +best of all, to lie in her hammock of a summer afternoon, and read or +day-dream as she looked across the lake and watched the shadows on the +distant hills. + +On these occasions she felt sure she could be a poet, if she only knew +how to express properly the fancies that danced through her brain. + +Sometimes she would provide herself with a pencil and paper, but though +she might write a line or a phrase, she never could get any further. The +attempt to put her thoughts into words always produced a crude and +stilted result which she knew instinctively was not poetry. + +"If I only could learn the wordy part of it," she said to herself, "I am +sure I have the right thoughts to put into a poem." + +As she lay thinking about all this, one warm afternoon, she suddenly +heard a voice say: "_Is_ this a hotel, or isn't it?" + +Dorothy jumped, and sitting up in her hammock, saw a strange lady, who +had apparently just walked into the Domain. + +The newcomer was of the aggressive type. She was short and stout, with a +determined-looking face and a rather unattractive personal appearance. +She wore a short, thick brown walking-skirt, and a brown linen +shirt-waist, and heavy common-sense shoes. A plain brown felt hat was +tied securely to her head by means of a brown veil knotted under her +chin. She carried in one hand a small suit-case, and in the other a +stout walking-stick. + +Pretty Dorothy, in her fluffy summer muslin, looked at the stranger +curiously a moment, and then, quickly recovering her poise, said +politely: "Yes, this is a hotel. Are you looking for board?" + +"No," said the stranger, "I am on a tramp. In fact I _am_ a tramp, a +lady-tramp. I am spending the whole summer walking about the country, +enjoying myself." + +"You are fond of walking, then?" said Dorothy, by way of making +conversation. + +"No, I am not," replied the lady-tramp; "I am doing it to reduce my +flesh, and I am enjoying myself because I have succeeded. Success is +always enjoyable." + +"Yes, it is;" and Dorothy herself, felt a satisfaction in the thought +that she too was succeeding in her summer's work. + +"My name," went on her visitor, "is Lucille Dillingham. I tramp all day, +and at night I stay at any hotel or farmhouse near which I happen to +find myself. And so I want to stay at this hotel to-night, and if you +will tell me where to find the proprietor, I won't trouble you further." + +"I am the proprietor," said Dorothy, smiling, for she felt quite sure +this statement would surprise Miss Lucille Dillingham. + +"If that's a joke," was the response, "I can't see any particular fun in +it. But no matter, I will inquire at the hotel myself." + +"But truly, Miss Dillingham, I am the proprietor," and Dorothy stood up +and put on the most dignified air of which she was capable. "I am +Dorothy Dorrance, and this hotel is the property of my grandmother; but +I am the acknowledged proprietor, and I shall be very glad to talk to +you as such." + +"You don't mean it, child! well if that is not the greatest I ever heard +of! I am a great believer myself in the capability of women; but for a +girl like you to run a hotel, is one ahead of _my_ experience! Tell me +all about it." + +"There isn't much to tell," said Dorothy, who was not at all pleasantly +impressed by the air and manner of the lady-tramp, and she couldn't help +thinking to herself that the tramp was more in evidence than the lady. +"However," she went on, courteously, "I live here with my grandmother, +and my brother and two sisters. We have entire charge of this hotel, and +we try to manage it in a way to satisfy our guests and ourselves. If +you wish to stay for the night, Miss Dillingham, I am sure we can make +you comfortable." + +Miss Dillingham's eyes sparkled. + +"I will do better than that," she cried; "I will stay all the time, and +I will run the hotel for you. I am a splendid manager, and much better +fitted for that sort of thing than a frivolous young girl like you. Oh, +we'll get along famously!" + +Dorothy began to wonder whether Miss Dillingham might not have escaped +from some lunatic asylum, but she only said, "Thank you very much for +your kind offer, but the hotel is running smoothly, and I really can't +see the necessity for any change in the administration." Just at this +moment Fairy came flying across the lawn, and flinging herself into the +hammock, drew the sides of it together around her athletic little body, +and with a peculiar kicking motion twisted herself and the hammock over +and over in a sort of revolving somersault. Then still holding the sides +she poked up her golden head, crowned with its big white bow, and gazed +at the stranger. + +"You must 'scuse me," she said, "for 'pearing so unsuspectedly. But I +always come that way when I am in a hurry, and I'm always in a hurry." + +"This is my sister Fairy, Miss Dillingham," said Dorothy, and Fairy +bounced out of the hammock, and gracefully offered her hand to the +stranger. + +"How do you do?" she said. "I am very glad to see you, and I hope you +have come to stay, 'cause it's time we had some new boarders. I am +'fraid we are running behind with our 'spenses." + +Dorothy bit her lip to keep from laughing at Fairy's attitude of +proprietorship, and Miss Dillingham stared at the child in blank +amazement. + +"Ah," she said, "is this another proprietor of this very remarkable +hotel?" + +"I'm not purporietor," said Fairy, "my sister is that; and my brother is +clerk. I am just a general helper, and sometimes I help with the babies +and the parrot." + +Miss Dillingham seemed more and more bewildered, but she said, "I think +you're all lunatics, and need somebody to look after you, and straighten +you out. I shall stay here for the night, and look into this thing. It +interests me extremely. Pray have you many boarders, and are they all as +crazy as yourselves?" + +Dorothy resented this question, but she kept her temper under control, +and replied, "We have a number of boarders and we consider them quite +sane, and they seem to think us so. If you wish to stay for the night, I +will take you to the house at once and give you a room." + +Miss Dillingham gave a sort of exasperated sniff, which Dorothy took to +mean acquiescence, and they all started for the house. + +Fairy walked backwards in front of the others, whirling all the way +round, now and then, to make sure her path was clear. + +"Did you really think we were crazy?" she asked, much interested in the +idea. + +"I did," replied Miss Dillingham, "and I am not yet convinced to the +contrary." + +Suddenly Fairy realized that this was another occasion for registration, +and with one of her loudest shrieks at the thought, she darted towards +the house and disappeared through the front door. + +"Leicester!" she cried, and then with a prolonged yell, "Les--ter!" +Leicester appeared by a jump through a window. "What's up?" he said. + +"Oh, Less, there's a new boarder, and she's crazy, and she thinks we +are, and she will want to register. Do get in the coop, quick!" + +Grasping the situation, Leicester flung himself through the wicket door +and behind the office desk. In a jiffy, he had assumed his clerkly air, +and had opened the great register at the proper date. + +When Dorothy appeared, a moment later, with Miss Dillingham, Leicester +offered the pen to the newcomer with such a businesslike air that there +seemed really no further room to doubt the responsibility of the hotel +management. Then he rang a bell, and in a moment Mr. Hickox appeared, +and with the deferential demeanor of a porter picked up Miss +Dillingham's suit-case and stick. + +Then Dorothy escorted the lady-tramp to her room, and returned a few +moments later, to find the other children waiting for an explanation. + +"Where did you catch it?" asked Leicester. + +"What is it?" inquired Lilian. + +"It's only for one night," explained Dorothy, laughing; "but, Less, she +wants to run the hotel! She thinks we aren't responsible!" + +It really seemed inevitable, so Lilian started the Dorrance groan. The +others took it up, with their usual enthusiasm, and though it was of +late a forbidden indulgence, they let themselves go for once, and the +result was an unearthly din that brought grandma to the scene at once. + +"Children!" she exclaimed. "You know you promised not to do that!" + +"I know, grandma," explained Fairy, "but truly, this is a specialty +occasion. You don't know what's happened, and what she wants to do." + +But before Mrs. Dorrance could learn what had happened, the +newly-registered guest herself, came flying down the staircase. + +"What _is_ the matter?" she cried; "is the house on fire? Has anybody +been killed?" + +"We must 'pollergize, Miss Dillingham," spoke up Fairy; "that's our +Dorrance groan, it belongs to the family; we don't use it much up here, +'cause it wakes up the baby and otherwise irritations the boarders." + +"I should think it would," put in Miss Dillingham, with conviction. + +"Yes, it does," went on Fairy, agreeably; "and so you see, we don't 'low +ourselves to 'spress our feelings that way very often. But to-day we had +a purtickular reason for it, and so somehow we found ourselves +a-groaning before we knew it." + +Ignoring Fairy and her voluble explanation, Miss Dillingham turned to +Mrs. Dorrance, and inquired with dignity: "Are you the lady of the +house?" + +"I am the owner of the house," said Grandma Dorrance, with her own +gentle dignity, "and my granddaughter Dorothy is in charge of it. I +must ask you to forgive the disturbance the children just made, and I +think I can safely assure you it will not happen again." + +Grandma Dorrance looked at her grandchildren, with an air of confidence +that was responded to by a look of loving loyalty from each pair of +laughing young eyes. + +"I don't understand it at all," said Miss Dillingham; "but I will now +return to my room, and take a short nap, if the house can be kept quiet. +Then later, I have a proposition which I wish to lay before you, and +which will doubtless prove advantageous to all concerned." + +Miss Dillingham stalked majestically up the stairs again, and the +Dorrances consulted as to what she could mean by her extraordinary +proposition. + +"I know," said Dorothy, "she wants to run the hotel. She informed me +that she was much better qualified for such a business than I am." + +"Oh, ho!" cried Leicester, "she is, is she! Well I like her nerve!" + +"I wish she hadn't come," said Fairy, beginning to cry. "I don't want +her to run this hotel, and Dorothy and all of us only be just boarders." + +"Don't cry, Fairy, whatever you do," exclaimed Leicester. "If you put up +one of your best crying-spells, it will make more noise than the groan +did, and our new friend will come racing down-stairs again." + +This suggestion silenced Fairy, and Leicester went on: "Do you really +mean, Dot, that she proposed seriously to take charge of the Domain?" + +"Yes, she did; and I think she expects to make a business proposition to +that effect." + +"All right, then; let's give her as good as she sends. Let's pretend +that we entertain her proposition, and see what she has to say for +herself." + +"You'd better be careful," said Lilian, the practical, "sometimes people +get caught in their own trap; and if you pretend you're going to let her +have charge of affairs here, first thing you know she'll be at the head +of things, and we will all be nowhere." + +"Huh!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'm not afraid of being dethroned by any +lady-tramp that happens along. Just let her try it!" + +"However she might frighten us singly," said Leicester, "I rather guess +that the Dorrance family as a whole, can stand up for their rights." + +"Don't be foolish, children," said grandma; "Dorothy must have +misunderstood the lady. She couldn't have meant to make such a strange +proposition at a moment's notice." + + * * * * * + +But apparently that is just what Miss Lucille Dillingham did mean. For +that evening, after dinner, she gathered the Dorrance children round her +in one of the small drawing-rooms, and talked to them in a +straightforward if unacceptable way. + +"Now don't say a word," she said, "until I have thoroughly explained my +intention." + +"We won't say a word, Miss Dillingham," said Fairy, "until you say your +speech. But please say it plain, 'cause I'm the littlest one and +sometimes I can't understand big words. 'Course I say big words myself, +sometimes, but I understand my own, only other people's aren't always +tellergibble to me. And so, you see I just have to----" + +"That will do, Fairy," interrupted Leicester; "we've agreed not to do +our talking until Miss Dillingham is through." + +"In a few words, then," began Miss Dillingham, with the air of one who +is satisfied of a foregone conclusion, "I want to say that in the few +hours I have been here I have thoroughly acquainted myself with the +conditions and possibilities of this hotel. And I have discovered that +it is improperly managed by incompetent hands, and that it is, +therefore, a lucky stroke of fortune for you that I happened along just +now. I propose to assume entire charge of the hotel, give it a new name, +establish new methods of management, and control absolutely the receipts +and expenditures." + +If the four Dorrances hadn't been possessed of a strong sense of humor, +they would have been appalled by this extraordinary proposition. As it +was, it struck them all as being very funny, and though with difficulty +restraining a smile, Leicester inquired, with every appearance of +serious interest, "And where do we come in?" + +"You will be merely boarders," announced Miss Dillingham, "and can run +and play as befits children of your ages. It may seem strange to you at +first, that I should make you this generous proposition on so short an +acquaintance, but it is my habit to make quick decisions, and I rarely +regret them." + +"Would you mind telling us your reasons for wanting to do this thing?" +asked Lilian. + +"My reasons are perhaps too subtle for young minds to understand. They +are partly ethical, for I cannot make it seem right that a girl of +sixteen should be so weighted with responsibility; and, too, I am +actuated in part by motives of personal advantage. I may say the project +seems to possess a pecuniary interest for me----" + +"Miss Dillingham," said Fairy fixing her wide-open eyes on the lady's +face, "'scuse me for interrupting, but truly I can't understand all +those words. What does etherkle mean? and what is tercumerary? They are +nice words and I would like to save them to use myself, if I knew a +little bit what they meant." + +"Never mind what they mean, Fairy," said Leicester; "and Miss +Dillingham, it is not necessary for us to consider this matter any +further. You have made your proposition, and I am sure that I speak for +the four of us, when I say that we decline it absolutely and without +further discussion." + +When Leicester chose, he could adopt a tone and manner that seemed far +more like a man, than like a boy of his years; and Miss Dillingham +suddenly realized that she was not dealing with quite such childish +minds as she had supposed. + +"My brother is quite right," said Dorothy, and she, too, put on her most +grown-up manner, which, by the way, was very grown-up indeed. "Although +surprised at what you have said, we understand clearly your offer, and +we respectfully but very positively decline it _in toto_." + +As Dorothy confessed afterwards, she didn't know exactly what _in toto_ +meant, but she felt quite certain it came in appropriately just there. + +Miss Dillingham seemed to think so too, or at any rate she was impressed +by the attitude of the Dorrance young people, and without a further +word, she rose and stalked away and they saw her no more that night. The +next morning she was up early and after a somewhat curt leave-taking, +she tramped away. + +"I think I could have liked her," said Dorothy, thoughtfully, "if she +hadn't tried to steal away from us our Dorrance Domain." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DOROTHY'S REWARD + + +Fairy continued her weekly visits to Mrs. Hickox, but she was positively +forbidden by her hostess ever to bring any one with her. + +Mrs. Hickox was possessed of a peculiar kind of shyness, and she shrank +from meeting people more sophisticated than herself. She had become +devotedly attached to Fairy, and really looked forward eagerly to the +afternoons the child spent with her. She continued to be surprised at +the doings of the Dorrances, but had never been to the Domain since her +first call upon the family. + +"Mr. Hickox tells me you've got a roof-garden," she said to Fairy one +day, as they sat sociably in the milk-room. "Now for the land's sake do +tell me what that is. Is it the thing that runs by electrics?" + +"No," said Fairy, who never laughed at Mrs. Hickox's ignorance; "it's +the _Shooting Star_ that runs by electricity; the roof-garden doesn't +run at all,--it just stays still." + +"Well what is it, anyhow?" + +"Why, the roof-garden is just a garden on the roof." + +"A garden on a roof! well I _am_ surprised! What do you raise in the +garden? peas and beans? It must be an awful trouble to get the dirt up +there, and to get the water up there to water things with. As for +getting the potatoes and pumpkins down, I suppose you can just throw +them down,--though I must say I should think it would spoil the +pumpkins." + +"Oh, we don't raise vegetables in the roof-garden, Mrs. Hickox," said +Fairy, laughing in spite of herself. + +"Well, what _do_ you raise?" + +"Why we don't raise anything; we just stay there." + +"Humph! I can't see any garden about that. But I did want to know what +the thing was like. 'Cause I cut out a clipping yesterday,--Hickory, he +got his shoes home from the cobbler's, and they was wrapped in a piece +of a New York newspaper; my, but I had a good time! I cut so many +clippings out of that newspaper, that what's left would do for a picture +frame. The worst of it was, so many clippings backed up against others, +and they wasn't the same length. People ought to be more careful how +they print their newspapers. Well, as I was saying, I cut out a piece +about a roof-garden, but I guess you're right about their not raisin' +things in it. My land! I couldn't get head or tail to the whole yarn. So +that's why I wanted to ask you just what a roof-garden is. But I ain't +found out much." + +Fairy endeavored to explain further, but Mrs. Hickox's mind seemed +incapable of grasping the real intent of a roof-garden, after all; and +so after intimating her continued surprise, she changed the subject. + +Mrs. Hickox was the only one who could sustain the greater part in a +conversation with Fairy. For some reason the child liked the queer old +lady, and was contented to listen while she talked; though usually +Fairy's own loquacity was not so easily curbed. + +"I told Hickory, long ago, that that biggest sister of yours would set +Lake Ponetcong on fire yet; or he told me, I don't know which, and it +don't make no difference now; but, anyway, I'm free to confess she's +done it. To think of a girl of sixteen takin' a pack of boarders into +that big hotel, and makin' a success of it! It is surprisin'! and she +does everything up so slick, too. Why, Hickory says the meals is always +on time, and the whole place is always as neat and cleared-up lookin' as +my best room." + +"My sister Dorothy _is_ a smart girl," agreed Fairy, who was always +ready to stand up for her family; "Mr. Faulkner says she has great +'zecutive billerty,--and I guess she has." + +"You all have," said Mrs. Hickox, heartily. "You're as queer as Dick's +hatband,--every one of you,--but you're smarter 'n steel-traps. And the +rest of you work just as good as Dorothy does. You ain't none of you +shirks. Of course you have lots of help, but I s'pose you need it. +Hickory, he does a lot of work for you, but, land! he gets paid enough, +so it's all right." + +"Wouldn't you like to come over and see the roof-garden?" asked Fairy, +though without much hope that her invitation would be accepted. + +"No, child, no; I ain't got no use for new-fangled doin's. My +old-fashioned garden is good enough for me. I like to read about things +in newspapers, but I don't hanker none about being mixed up in 'em. Run +along now, here comes Mr. Hickox and he'll be wantin' his supper. Run +along, quick now,--good-bye. Well I _am_ surprised!" + +The last remark was addressed to the approaching Mr. Hickox, but having +been so peremptorily dismissed, Fairy did not turn to see what the new +occasion for Mrs. Hickox's surprise might be. + +The month of August went pleasantly along at the Dorrance Domain. No new +boarders were registered, but all who were there, stayed through the +month, and all except the Blacks stayed into the early September. The +Dorrances had given up all idea of Mr. Lloyd's coming to visit them, as +he had written earlier in the season that he would do. + +But one day a letter came, saying that he would run up for a couple of +days. + +Aside from their appreciation of Mr. Lloyd's kindness in a business way, +the Dorrances all liked that genial gentleman as a friend, and the news +of his visit was gladly received. The Dorrance Domain was put into gala +dress for the occasion, and a special program was arranged for the +evening's entertainment. + +He was taken for a sail in the _Shooting Star_, given a drive behind old +Dobbin, and initiated into the picturesque pleasures of the roof-garden. + +Mr. Lloyd was most appreciative and enthusiastic; and it was fun for the +Dorrances to see his astonishment at the success of their hotel +management. Although Grandma Dorrance had written to him what the +children were doing, in a general way, he had formed no idea of the +magnitude of their enterprise. + +The second day of his stay they held a family conference in one of the +small parlors. He had told Grandma Dorrance that he wished for a +business talk with her alone, but she had said that the children were +quite as capable of understanding their financial situation as she +herself, if not more so; and that, after their interest and assistance +through the summer, they were entitled to a hearing of whatever Mr. +Lloyd might have to say. + +So the family conclave was called, and Mr. Lloyd took the occasion to +express his hearty appreciation of what they had done. + +"You seem to have the Dorrance grit," he said; "your Grandfather +Dorrance would have been proud of his grandchildren, could he have known +what they would accomplish. He little thought when he bought this hotel +property that his family would ever live here,--let alone running it as +a hotel." + +"It seems so strange," said Dorothy, "to think that this old Domain that +we've made fun of for so many years, and never thought was good for +anything, should have helped us through this summer." + +"I hope, my dear," said Mr. Lloyd, "that you have been careful and +prudent about your expenditures. For sometimes, these exciting +enterprises look very fine and desirable, but are exceedingly costly in +the end." + +Mr. Lloyd was a kind friend, and felt great interest in the Dorrance +fortunes; but his cautious, legal mind, could not avoid a careful +consideration of the exact state of their finances. + +"We have kept our accounts very strictly, sir," said Dorothy, "and we +find that the Dorrance Domain has entirely supported our family for the +summer,--I mean that we are in debt to nobody as a consequence of having +spent our summer here." + +"That is fine, my dear child, that is fine," said Mr. Lloyd, rubbing his +hands together, as he always did when pleased; "I must congratulate you +on that result." + +"And we've had such fun, too," exclaimed Fairy, whose big white bow and +smiling face suddenly appeared over the back of the sofa which she was +clambering up. "I do some of the work, but I don't mind it a bit, and we +all of us get plenty of time to play, and go sailing, and fishing and +everything." As Fairy continued talking she kept rapidly scrambling over +the sofa, down to the floor, under the sofa, and up its back, and over +it again, repeatedly. This in no way interfered with her flow of +conversation, and she went on: "We can make all the racket we like, +too,--nobody minds a speck,--not even Miss Marcia Van Arsdale. She says +it's nothing but animal spiritualism." + +"It has been one of the greatest comforts," said Grandma Dorrance, "to +think that the children _could_ make all the noise they wanted to; for I +suffered tortures at Mrs. Cooper's, trying to keep them quiet. Here, +they are free to do as they choose, and there is room enough to do as +they choose, without annoying other people. I think myself, that they +deserve great commendation for their work this summer. It has not been +easy; but fortunately, they are blessed with temperaments that take +troubles lightly, and make play out of hard work. But I want you to tell +us, Mr. Lloyd, just how we stand financially. The children are anxious +to know, and so am I. They insist that hereafter they shall share my +anxieties and responsibilities, and I am more than glad to have them do +so." + +"I am gratified, Mrs. Dorrance, and my dear young people, to be able to +tell you,"--here Mr. Lloyd paused impressively,--"to be able to tell you +that the outlook is highly satisfactory. Since you have not called upon +me for any of your money during the summer months, I have been able to +apply it towards the repairs that were so necessary on the Fifty-eighth +Street house. Except for a few small bills, that indebtedness is thus +provided for. Your next quarter's allowance is, therefore, +unencumbered." + +"I think," said Dorothy, her eyes shining in the excitement of the +moment, "that this is a good time to present our statement of accounts. +We've been keeping it as a little surprise for grandma, and we want Mr. +Lloyd to know about it too. I wanted Leicester to tell you, and he said +for me to tell you; but we all had just as much to do with it as each +other, so we're all going to tell you together. Come on, all of you." + +The other three Dorrances sprang towards Dorothy in their usual +hop-skip-and-jump fashion, and in a moment they stood in a straight +line, toeing a mark. + +They took hold of hands, and swinging their arms back and forth, recited +a speech which had evidently been rehearsed before-hand. + +"We've paid all expenses," they said, speaking in concert, but not as +loudly as usual, "and besides that, we've cleared three hundred +dollars!" + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Lloyd, holding up his hands in astonishment. + +"Oh, my dear children!" cried Grandma Dorrance, uncertain whether she +should laugh or weep. + +"Yes, isn't it perfectly wonderful?" cried Dorothy, and the concerted +speech being over, the four children precipitated themselves headlong in +every direction. + +"We wanted to holler it all out," explained Fairy; "but we were afraid +the boarder-people would hear us, and they mightn't think it polite." + +"It's all right," said Lilian, stoutly; "we didn't overcharge anybody, +and we didn't scrimp them. The reason we made money was because we did +so much of the work ourselves, and because Dorothy is such a good +manager." + +"Hurrah for Dorothy," shrieked Leicester, in a perfect imitation of Miss +Marcia's parrot. + +The cheer that went up for Dorothy was deafening, but nobody minded, for +everybody was so happy. + +"I couldn't have done anything without the others' help," protested +Dorothy; "and of course we couldn't any of us have carried out this plan +at all, without grandma. So you see it took the whole five of us to make +a success of the Dorrance Domain." + +"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain," shouted Fairy, and then every one in +the room, not excepting Grandma Dorrance and Mr. Lloyd, cheered from +their very hearts, + +"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain!" + + * * * * * + +The Carolyn Wells Books for Girls + + +THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS + + Patty Fairfield + Patty at Home + Patty in the City + Patty's Summer Days + Patty in Paris + Patty's Friend + Patty's Pleasure Trip + Patty's Success + Patty's Motor Car + Patty's Butterfly Days + Patty's Social Season + Patty's Suitors + Patty's Romance + Patty's Fortune + Patty Blossom + Patty--Bride + Patty and Azalea + + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + + Marjorie's Vacation + Marjorie's Busy Days + Marjorie's New Friend + Marjorie in Command + Marjorie's Maytime + Marjorie at Seacote + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + + Two Little Women + Two Little Women and Treasure House + Two Little Women on a Holiday + + * * * * * + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + +Author of "The Don Sturdy Series." + + +Tom Swift, known to millions of boys of this generation, is a bright +ingenious youth whose inventions, discoveries and thrilling adventures +are described in these spirited tales that tell of the wonderful +advances in modern science. + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS + TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES + TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG DIRIGIBLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY TRAIN + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT MAGNET + TOM SWIFT AND HIS TELEVISION DETECTOR + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dorrance Domain, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + +***** This file should be named 39081-8.txt or 39081-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/0/8/39081/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: The Dorrance Domain + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Illustrator: Pelagie Doane + +Release Date: March 8, 2012 [EBook #39081] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<h1>THE DORRANCE DOMAIN</h1> + +<h2><i>By</i> CAROLYN WELLS</h2> + + +<p class="center"><i>Illustrated by</i><br /> +PELAGIE DOANE</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/tp.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<p class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +<i>Publishers</i> <span class="smcap">New York</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1905</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By W. A. Wilde Company</span>,<br /> +<i>All rights reserved</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Dorrance Domain.</span></p> + +<p class="center">Made in the United States of America</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"IF THAT'S THE DORRANCE DOMAIN, IT'S ALL RIGHT. WHAT DO +YOU THINK, FAIRY?"</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2>Contents</h2> + + +<table summary="contents"> +<tr><td align="right">CHAPTER </td><td> </td><td align="right"> PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">Cooped Up</span> </a></td><td align="right">9</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Rebellious Hearts</span> </a></td><td align="right">22</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">Dorothy's Plan</span> </a></td><td align="right">35</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">The Departure</span> </a></td><td align="right">48</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">The Mamie Mead</span> </a></td><td align="right">60</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">The Dorrance Domain</span> </a></td><td align="right">73</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Mr. Hickox</span> </a></td><td align="right">86</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hickox</span> </a></td><td align="right">99</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">The Floating Bridge</span> </a></td><td align="right">112</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">The Hickoxes at Home</span> </a></td><td align="right">124</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Six Invitations</span> </a></td><td align="right">137</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">Guests for All</span> </a></td><td align="right">149</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">An Unwelcome Letter</span> </a></td><td align="right">161</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Financial Plans</span> </a></td><td align="right">174</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">A Sudden Determination</span> </a></td><td align="right">188</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">A Daring Scheme</span> </a></td><td align="right">201</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Registered Guests</span> </a></td><td align="right">214</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Ambitions</span> </a></td><td align="right">226</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">The Van Arsdale Ladies</span> </a></td><td align="right">239</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">A Real Hotel</span> </a></td><td align="right">252</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Ups and Downs</span> </a></td><td align="right">265</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">Two Boys and a Boat</span> </a></td><td align="right">278</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">An Unwelcome Proposition</span> </a></td><td align="right">290</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Dorothy's Reward</span> </a></td><td align="right">307</td></tr> +</table> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Dorrance Domain</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>COOPED UP</h3> + + +<p>"I <i>wish</i> we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!" said Dorothy +Dorrance, flinging herself into an armchair, in her grandmother's room, +one May afternoon, about six o'clock.</p> + +<p>She made this remark almost every afternoon, about six o'clock, whatever +the month or the season, and as a rule, little attention was paid to it. +But to-day her sister Lilian responded, in a sympathetic voice,</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> wish we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!"</p> + +<p>Whereupon Leicester, Lilian's twin brother, mimicking his sister's +tones, dolefully repeated, "I wish <i>we</i> didn't have to live in a +boarding-house!"</p> + +<p>And then Fairy, the youngest Dorrance, and the last of the quartet, +sighed forlornly, "I wish we didn't have to live in a <i>boarding-house</i>!"</p> + +<p>There was another occupant of the room. A gentle white-haired old lady, +whose sweet face and dainty fragile figure had all the effects of an +ivory miniature, or a painting on porcelain.</p> + +<p>"My dears," she said, "I'm sure I wish you didn't."</p> + +<p>"Don't look like that, grannymother," cried Dorothy, springing to kiss +the troubled face of the dear old lady. "I'd live here a million years, +rather than have you look so worried about it. And anyway, it wouldn't +be so bad, if it weren't for the dinners."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind the dinners," said Leicester, "in fact I would be rather +sorry not to have them. What I mind is the cramped space, and the +shut-up-in-your-own-room feeling. I spoke a piece in school last week, +and I spoke it awful well, too, because I just meant it. It began, 'I +want free life, and I want fresh air,' and that's exactly what I do +want. I wish we lived in Texas, instead of on Manhattan Island. Texas +has a great deal more room to the square yard, and I don't believe +people are crowded down there."</p> + +<p>"There can't be more room to a square yard in one place than another," +said Lilian, who was practical.</p> + +<p>"I mean back yards and front yards and side yards,—and I don't care +whether they're square or not," went on Leicester, warming to his +subject. "My air-castle is situated right in the middle of the state of +Texas, and it's the only house in the state."</p> + +<p>"Mine is in the middle of a desert island," said Lilian; "it's so much +nicer to feel sure that you can get to the water, no matter in what +direction you walk away from your house."</p> + +<p>"A desert island would be nice," said Leicester; "it would be more +exciting than Texas, I suppose, on account of the wild animals. But then +in Texas, there are wild men and wild animals both."</p> + +<p>"I like plenty of room, too," said Dorothy, "but I want it inside my +house as well as out. Since we are choosing, I think I'll choose to +live in the Madison Square Garden, and I'll have it moved to the middle +of a western prairie."</p> + +<p>"Well, children," said Mrs. Dorrance, "your ideas are certainly big +enough, but you must leave the discussion of them now, and go to your +small cramped boarding-house bedrooms, and make yourselves presentable +to go down to your dinner in a boarding-house dining-room."</p> + +<p>This suggestion was carried out in the various ways that were +characteristic of the Dorrance children.</p> + +<p>Dorothy, who was sixteen, rose from her chair and humming a waltz tune, +danced slowly and gracefully across the room. The twins, Lilian and +Leicester, fell off of the arms of the sofa, where they had been +perched, scrambled up again, executed a sort of war-dance and then +dashed madly out of the door and down the hall.</p> + +<p>Fairy, the twelve year old, who lived up to her name in all respects, +flew around the room, waving her arms, and singing in a high soprano, +"Can I wear my pink sash? Can I wear my pink sash?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "you may wear anything you like, if +you'll only keep still a minute. You children are too boisterous for a +boarding-house. You <i>ought</i> to be in the middle of a desert or +somewhere. You bewilder me!"</p> + +<p>But about fifteen minutes later it was four decorous young Dorrances who +accompanied their grandmother to the dining-room. Not that they wanted +to be sedate, or enjoyed being quiet, but they were well-bred children +in spite of their rollicking temperaments. They knew perfectly well how +to behave properly, and always did it when the occasion demanded.</p> + +<p>And, too, the atmosphere of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room was an assistance +rather than a bar to the repression of hilarity.</p> + +<p>The Dorrances sat at a long table, two of the children on either side of +their grandmother, and this arrangement was one of their chief +grievances.</p> + +<p>"If we could only have a table to ourselves," Leicester often said, "it +wouldn't be so bad. But set up side by side, like the teeth in a comb, +cheerful conversation is impossible."</p> + +<p>"But, my boy," his grandmother would remonstrate, "you must learn to +converse pleasantly with those who sit opposite you. You can talk with +your sisters at other times."</p> + +<p>So Leicester tried, but it is exceedingly difficult for a fourteen year +old boy to adapt himself to the requirements of polite conversation.</p> + +<p>On the evening of which we are speaking, his efforts, though well meant, +were unusually unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>Exactly opposite Leicester sat Mr. Bannister, a ponderous gentleman, +both physically and mentally. He was a bachelor, and his only idea +regarding children was that they should be treated jocosely. He also had +his own ideas of jocose treatment.</p> + +<p>"Well, my little man," he said, smiling broadly at Leicester, "did you +go to school to-day?"</p> + +<p>As he asked this question every night at dinner, not even excepting +Saturdays and Sundays, Leicester felt justified in answering only, "Yes, +sir."</p> + +<p>"That's nice; and what did you learn?"</p> + +<p>As this question invariably followed the other, Leicester was not wholly +unprepared for it. But the discussion of air-castles in Texas, or on a +prairie, had made the boy a little impatient of the narrow dining-room, +and the narrow table, and even of Mr. Bannister, though he was by no +means of narrow build.</p> + +<p>"I learned my lessons," he replied shortly, though there was no rudeness +in his tone.</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, my little man," said Mr. Bannister, playfully shaking a fat +finger at him, "don't be rude."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I won't," said Leicester, with such an innocent air of +accepting a general bit of good advice, that Mr. Bannister was quite +discomfited.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance looked at Leicester reproachfully, and Mrs. Hill, who +was a sharp-featured, sharp-spoken old lady, and who also sat on the +other side of the table, said severely, to nobody in particular, +"Children are not brought up now as they were in my day."</p> + +<p>This had the effect of silencing Leicester, for the three older +Dorrances had long ago decided that it was useless to try to talk to +Mrs. Hill. Even if you tried your best to be nice and pleasant, she was +sure to say something so irritating, that you just <i>had</i> to lose your +temper.</p> + +<p>But Fairy did not subscribe to this general decision. Indeed, Fairy's +chief characteristic was her irrepressible loquacity. So much trouble +had this made, that she had several times been forbidden to talk at the +dinner-table at all. Then Grandma Dorrance would feel sorry for the +dolefully mute little girl, and would lift the ban, restricting her, +however, to not more than six speeches during any one meal.</p> + +<p>Fairy kept strict account, and never exceeded the allotted number, but +she made each speech as long as she possibly could, and rarely stopped +until positively interrupted.</p> + +<p>So she took it upon herself to respond to Mrs. Hill's remark, and at +the same time demonstrate her loyalty to her grandmother.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure, Mrs. Hill," Fairy began, "that nobody could bring up children +better than my grannymother. She is the best children bring-upper in the +whole world. I don't know how your grandmother brought you up,—or +perhaps you had a mother,—some people think they're better than +grandmothers. I don't know; I never had a mother, only a grandmother, +but she's just the best ever, and if us children aren't good, it's our +fault and not hers. She says we're boist'rous, and I 'spect we are. Mr. +Bannister says we're rude, and I 'spect we are; but none of these +objectionaries is grandma's fault!" Fairy had a way of using long words +when she became excited, and as she knew very few real ones she often +made them up to suit herself. And all her words, long or short came out +in such a torrent of enthusiasm and emphasis, and with such a degree of +rapidity that it was a difficult matter to stop her. So on she went. "So +it's all right, Mrs. Hill, but when we don't behave just first-rate, or +just as children did in your day, please keep a-remembering to blame us +and not grandma. You see," and here Fairy's speech assumed a +confidential tone, "we don't have room enough. We want free life and we +want fresh air, and then I 'spect we'd be more decorious."</p> + +<p>"That will do, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance, looking at her gravely.</p> + +<p>"Yes'm," said Fairy, smiling pleasantly, "that'll do for one."</p> + +<p>"And that makes two! now you've had two speeches, Fairy," said her +brother, teasingly.</p> + +<p>"I have not," said Fairy, "and an explanationary speech doesn't count!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it does," cried Lilian, "and that makes three!"</p> + +<p>"It doesn't, does it, grandma?" pleaded Fairy, lifting her big blue eyes +to her grandmother's face.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance looked helpless and a little bewildered, but she only +said, "Please be quiet, Fairy; I might like to talk a little, myself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right, grandma dear," said Fairy, placidly; "I know how +it is to feel conversationary myself."</p> + +<p>The children's mother had died when Fairy was born, and her father had +given her the name of Fairfax because there had always been a Fairfax +Dorrance in his family for many generations. To be sure it had always +before been a boy baby who was christened Fairfax, but the only boy in +this family had been named Leicester; and so, one Fairfax Dorrance was a +girl. From the time she was old enough to show any characteristics at +all, she had been fairy-like in every possible way. Golden hair, big +blue eyes and a cherub face made her a perfect picture of child beauty. +Then she was so light and airy, so quick of motion and speech, and so +immaculately dainty in her dress and person, that Fairy seemed to be the +only fitting name for her. No matter how much she played rollicking +games, her frock never became rumpled or soiled; and the big white bow +which crowned her mass of golden curls always kept its shape and +position even though its wearer turned somersaults. For Fairy was by no +means a quiet or sedate child. None of the Dorrances were that. And the +youngest was perhaps the most headstrong and difficult to control. But +though impetuous in her deeds and mis-deeds, her good impulses were +equally sudden, and she was always ready to apologize or make amends for +her frequent naughtiness.</p> + +<p>And so after dinner, she went to Mrs. Hill, and said with a most +engaging smile, "I'm sorry if I 'fended you, and I hope I didn't. You +see I didn't mean to speak so much, and right at the dinner table, too, +but I just <i>have</i> to stand up for my grannymother. She's so old, and so +ladylike that she can't stand up for herself. And I was 'fraid you +mightn't understand, so I thought I'd 'pologize. Is it all right?"</p> + +<p>Fairy looked up into Mrs. Hill's face with such angelic eyes and +pleading smile, that even that dignified lady unbent a little.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear," she said; "it's all right for you to stand up for your +grandmother, as you express it. But you certainly do talk too much for +such a little girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes'm," said Fairy, contritely, "I know I do. It's my upsetting sin; +but somehow I can't help it. My head seems to be full of words, and they +just keep spilling out. Don't you ever talk too much, ma'am?"</p> + +<p>"No; I don't think I do."</p> + +<p>"You ought to be very thankful," said Fairy, with a sigh; "it is an +awful affliction. Why once upon a time——"</p> + +<p>"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "say good-night to Mrs. Hill, and +come up-stairs with me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandma, I'm coming. Good-night, Mrs. Hill; I'm sorry I have to go +just now 'cause I was just going to tell you an awful exciting story. +But perhaps to-morrow——"</p> + +<p>"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "come at once!" And at last the +gentle old lady succeeded in capturing her refractory granddaughter, and +led the dancing sprite away to her own room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>REBELLIOUS HEARTS</h3> + + +<p>Although Mrs. Cooper's boarders were privileged to sit in the parlor in +the evening, the Dorrances rarely availed themselves of this permission. +For the atmosphere of the formal and over-punctilious drawing-room was +even more depressing than that of the dining-room. And even had the +children wanted to stay there, which they didn't, Mrs. Dorrance would +have been afraid that their irrepressible gayety would have been too +freely exhibited. And another thing, they had to study their next day's +lessons, for their hours between school and dinner-time were always +spent out of doors.</p> + +<p>And so every evening they congregated in their grandmother's room, and +were studious or frivolous as their mood dictated.</p> + +<p>To-night they were especially fractious.</p> + +<p>"Grannymother," exclaimed Lilian, "it just seems as if I <i>couldn't</i> +live in this house another minute! there is nobody here I like, except +our own selves, and I just hate it all!"</p> + +<p>"Did <i>you</i> go to school to-day, my little man?" said Leicester, shaking +his finger in such funny imitation of Mr. Bannister, that Lilian had to +laugh, in spite of her discontentment.</p> + +<p>"I'm so tired of him, too," went on Lilian, still scowling. "Can't we go +and live somewhere else, grandmother?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance sighed. She knew only too well the difficulty of securing +desirable rooms in a desirable locality with her four lively young +charges; and especially at the modest price she was able to pay. Already +they had moved six times in their two years of boarding-house life, and +Mrs. Dorrance dreaded the thought of a seventh similar experience.</p> + +<p>"Lilian, dear," she said, gently, "you know how hard it is to find any +nice boarding-house where they will take four noisy children. And I'm +sure, in many respects, this is the best one we've ever found."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is," said Dorothy, looking up from the French lesson she +was studying, "but I know one thing! as soon as I get through school, +and I don't mean to go many years more, we're going to get away from +boarding-houses entirely, and we're going to have a home of our own. I +don't suppose it can be in Texas, or the Desert of Sahara, but we'll +have a house or an apartment or something, and live by ourselves."</p> + +<p>"I wish you might do so," said her grandmother, "but I fear we cannot +afford it. And, too, I think I would not be able to attend to the +housekeeping. When we used to have plenty of servants, it was quite a +different matter."</p> + +<p>"But granny, dear," cried Dorothy, "I don't mean for you to housekeep. I +mean to do that myself. After I get through school, you know, I'll have +nothing to do, and I can just as well keep house as not."</p> + +<p>"Do you know how?" asked Fairy, staring at her oldest sister with +wide-open blue eyes.</p> + +<p>"Can you make a cherry pie?" sang Leicester. "I don't believe you can, +Dot; and I'll tell you a better plan than yours. You wait until <i>I</i> get +out of school, and then I'll go into some business, and earn enough +money to buy a big house for all of us."</p> + +<p>"Like the one in Fifty-eighth Street?" said Dorothy, softly.</p> + +<p>The children always lowered their voices when they spoke of the house on +Fifty-eighth Street. Two years ago, when their grandfather died, they +had to move out of that beautiful home, and none of them, not even +little Fairy, could yet speak of it in a casual way.</p> + +<p>The children's father had died only a few years after their mother, and +the four had been left without any provision other than that offered by +their Grandfather Dorrance. He took them into his home on Fifty-eighth +Street, and being a man of ample means, he brought them up in a +generous, lavish way. The little Dorrances led a happy life, free from +care or bothers of any sort, until when Dorothy was fourteen, +Grandfather Dorrance died.</p> + +<p>His wife knew nothing of his business affairs, and placidly supposed +there was no reason why she should not continue to live with the +children, in the ways to which they had so long been accustomed.</p> + +<p>But all too soon she learned that years of expensive living had made +decided inroads upon Mr. Dorrance's fortune, and that for the future her +means would be sadly limited.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance was a frail old lady, entirely unused to responsibilities +of any kind; her husband had always carefully shielded her from all +troubles or annoyances, and now, aside from her deep grief at his death, +she was forced suddenly to face her changed circumstances and the +responsibility of her four grandchildren.</p> + +<p>She was crushed and bewildered by the situation, and had it not been for +the advice and kind assistance of her lawyer, Mr. Lloyd, she would not +have known which way to turn.</p> + +<p>Dorothy, too, though only fourteen years old, proved to be a staunch +little helper. She was brave and plucky, and showed a courage and +capability that astonished all who knew her.</p> + +<p>After Mr. Dorrance's affairs were settled up, it was discovered that the +family could not remain in the home. Although the house was free of +incumbrance, yet there was no money with which to pay taxes, or to pay +the household expenses, even if they lived on a more moderate scale. +Only a few years before his death, Mr. Dorrance had invested a large sum +of money in a summer hotel property. This had not turned out +advantageously, and though Mrs. Dorrance could not understand all of the +business details, she finally became aware that she had but a net income +of two thousand dollars to support herself and her grandchildren.</p> + +<p>Helpless and heart-broken as she was, she yet had a certain amount of +indomitable pride, which though it might break, would never bend.</p> + +<p>In her quiet, gentle way she accepted the situation, and endeavored to +find a suitable boarding-place that would come within her means. The big +house had been rented to strangers, as Mr. Lloyd considered that a +better investment than selling it. The furniture had been sold, except +a few choice personal belongings which had been stored away against +better days.</p> + +<p>With a cheerful placidity, which was but the reaction of her utter +helplessness, Mrs. Dorrance began her new life.</p> + +<p>The children took the change more easily. Although they fretted and +stormed more, yet that very fact gave a sort of outlet to their +disappointment, and, too, their youth allowed them to adapt themselves +more easily to the changed conditions.</p> + +<p>And had it been possible for them to have a home of their own, they +would perhaps have been as happy as in their grandfather's mansion.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Dorrance well knew her own limitations, and realized that at +her age she could not take up the unaccustomed cares of housekeeping.</p> + +<p>And so they boarded; and it was unsatisfactory to all concerned; +principally because children do not agree with boarding-houses and <i>vice +versa</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Well, there is one thing to look forward to," said Dorothy, in her +cheerful way; "it's the first of May now. In a month, school will be +over for this term, and then we can go to the seashore or the country, +and get away from Mrs. Cooper's for the summer, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Yes," exclaimed Lilian, "won't it be fun! I vote for the country this +year. What do you say, Leicester?"</p> + +<p>The twins, though possessing strong individual opinions, usually +referred all questions to each other, though this by no means implied a +change of mind on the part of either.</p> + +<p>"Country's all right," said Leicester, "but I like mountains. +Mountainous country, you know; I don't mean Pike's Peak or Mount +Washington."</p> + +<p>"I like the seashore," said Fairy. "'Course you needn't go there just +'cause I like it,—but I do think it's awful nice. There's the water you +know, and the big waves come in all tumble-bumble,—oh, it's beautiful +to see them! And if I could have a new bathing-suit trimmed with red +braid like Gladys Miller's, I do think——"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Fairy," said her grandmother; "you're doing your +thinking too soon. I'm sorry, children, more sorry than I can tell you, +but I don't see how we can go away this summer, to the mountains or +seashore or anywhere else."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grannymother!" cried Dorothy in dismay; "you don't mean we must +stay in the city all summer!"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so, my dear. I can't see any hope for anything else."</p> + +<p>"But grandma, we went last year, and we stayed all summer, and we had a +lovely time." This from Lilian, whose brown eyes were already filling +with tears.</p> + +<p>"In the city! all summer! well, I just guess <i>not</i>!" shouted Leicester. +"I'm going off of Manhattan Island, if I have to go as a tramp."</p> + +<p>"Tramping isn't so bad," said Lilian, brightening up; "we could carry +our things in handkerchiefs slung on sticks over our shoulders."</p> + +<p>"But grannymother couldn't tramp," said Fairy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The streets will be broad and the lanes will be narrow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So we'll have to take grannymother in a wheel-barrow,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>chanted Dorothy. "But tell us truly, granny, dear, why can't we go +away?"</p> + +<p>Grandmother Dorrance looked sad, but her face wore that air of placid +determination which the children had come to look upon as indicative of +final and unalterable decision.</p> + +<p>"This last winter," she said, "was much more expensive than the winter +before. There was the doctor and the nurse, when Fairy was ill; we are +paying a little more board here than we did at Mrs. Watson's; and then, +somehow, your clothes seem to cost more every year. I don't know how it +is, I'm sure," and the sweet old face assumed the worried look that +always pained Dorothy's heart, "but somehow there isn't any money left +for a summer trip."</p> + +<p>"But grandma," said Leicester, with a great desire to be businesslike, +"can't we find a place to board in the country, for just the same price +as we pay here?"</p> + +<p>"No, it always costs a little more per week at any summer place than in +the city. And that is not all; there are the traveling expenses, and +you'd all need new summer clothes, and there are many extra expenses, +such as laundry work, and things that you children know nothing about."</p> + +<p>Dorothy sat thinking. She had closed her French book and sat with her +elbows on the table in front of her, and her chin in her hands. Dorothy +Dorrance was a very pretty girl, although it had never occurred to her +to think so. She had dark eyes like her father's, but had inherited her +mother's blonde hair. Not golden, but a light golden-brown, which fell +into soft shining curls which tossed about her temples, and escaped from +the thick twist at the back of her head. She had a sunshiny smile, which +was almost always visible, for Dorothy was light-hearted and of a merry +nature. She was an all-round capable girl, and could turn her hand to +almost anything she undertook. She had a capable mind too, and often +astonished her grandmother by her intelligent grasp of business matters +or financial problems. Indeed, Dorothy at sixteen had a far more +practical knowledge of the ways and means of existence than Mrs. +Dorrance at seventy.</p> + +<p>"Grandmother," she said at last, after she had sat for some minutes +staring straight ahead of her, and looking, as Leicester said, "almost +as if she were really thinking." "Grandmother, I think we are old enough +now,—at any rate I am,—to know something about our income. How much +money do we have a year?"</p> + +<p>"That's easily told, my child; since your grandfather's death we have +very little. I own the house on Fifty-eighth Street, but from the rent +of that I have to pay taxes and repairs. Of course Mr. Lloyd attends to +all these matters, and his judgment is always right, but I can't help +thinking there is very little profit in that house."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be better to sell that house, and invest the money in some +other way?" said Dorothy, straightforwardly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lloyd says not, dearie, and of course he knows. Then besides that, +I own the large hotel property which your grandfather bought a few +years before he died. But as I cannot rent it, and cannot sell it, it is +not only no source of income to me, but it is a great expense."</p> + +<p>"Oh, 'Our Domain' up in the mountains," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, 'Our Domain'; but I wish it were the Domain of somebody else," +said her grandmother.</p> + +<p>This hotel property had always been called "Our Domain," by the family +and when Mr. Dorrance was alive, had been looked upon as a sort of a +joke, but the present view of the situation did not seem at all +humorous.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Leicester, who was always hopeful, "I think it's very +nice to own a Domain. It makes us seem like landed proprietors, and some +day, who knows, it may prove valuable."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>DOROTHY'S PLAN</h3> + + +<p>One afternoon, about a week later, the children were again in their +grandmother's room waiting for dinner-time.</p> + +<p>To be exact, they weren't in the room, but were literally half in and +half out. For Mrs. Dorrance's room had two front windows, and two +children were hanging out of each, in a precarious and really dangerous +way.</p> + +<p>The twins, in one window, were vying with each other as to which could +lean out farthest, without falling out; and in the other window Dorothy +was leaning out as far as possible, and at the same time trying to keep +a very excited Fairy from pitching headlong to the street.</p> + +<p>The simple explanation of this acrobatic performance is, that they were +looking for the postman. Not that they really thought he would come any +sooner for their endangering their lives, but each young Dorrance +considered it of the highest importance to catch the first glimpse of +him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, do you suppose the house is sold?" said Lilian, for the +dozenth time.</p> + +<p>"Hi!" screamed Dorothy; "there he is! we'll soon know now."</p> + +<p>Dorothy having won the game, they all tumbled into the room again, and +Leicester started down-stairs for the mail.</p> + +<p>"Gently, my boy, gently," warned his grandmother. "Don't go down +whooping like a wild Indian."</p> + +<p>Leicester assumed a sudden air of decorum, and disappeared; while the +girls clustered around their grandmother, all talking at once.</p> + +<p>"What do you think, grandmother?" cried Dorothy, "guess,—which way do +you guess?"</p> + +<p>"I guess, no," said Mrs. Dorrance, who was used to guessing games.</p> + +<p>"I guess, <i>yes</i>!" shouted Lilian; "of course it's sold! and we'll have +lots of money and we'll go to Europe, and Africa, and Chicago, and +everywhere!"</p> + +<p>"And over to Brooklyn," chimed in Fairy; "I do want to go to Brooklyn, +'cause I've never been there and Gladys Miller says it's awful funny, +and besides——"</p> + +<p>"A letter! here's a letter," cried Leicester, bouncing into the room; +"open it, open it quick, granny dear!"</p> + +<p>"I can't," said the old lady, helplessly; "you children make such a +noise, I'm all bewildered. Open it, Dorothy, and read it aloud; and the +rest of you, do try to keep still."</p> + +<p>Eagerly, Dorothy tore open the letter, and began to read it:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Elizabeth Dorrance</span>:</p> + +<p><i>Dear Madam</i>:—I had a final interview to-day with Mr. Ware. As you +know, he had about concluded to buy your hotel, but he has been +making inquiries concerning it, and has learned that it has not +been occupied for several years. He fears that he cannot make it +pay as a business venture, and has therefore definitely decided not +to buy it.</p> + +<p>I do not wish to discourage you, my dear madam, but it looks to me +as if it would not be possible to sell the hotel this season, and +indeed, I doubt if you can ever dispose of it to your satisfaction. +The next best course, in my opinion, would be for you to allow it +to be sold at auction. This plan would enable you to pay the back +taxes now due, and relieve you of further obligations of the same +sort,—though I fear there would be little or no margin of profit +for you in this arrangement.</p> + +<p>However, should you think best to adopt this course, please advise +me promptly, and I will take the necessary steps in the matter.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I am, my dear madam,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Respectfully yours,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">"<span class="smcap">Lewis H. Lloyd.</span>"<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>At the conclusion of this letter the four Dorrance children groaned in +concert. Their concerted groan was an old-established affair, and by +reason of much practice they had brought it to a high state of +perfection. It began with a low wail which deepened and strengthened +through several bass notes, and then slid up to high C with a wild, +final shriek. It was most effective as an expression of utter +exasperation, but Mrs. Dorrance, though accustomed to it, lived in a +state of fear lest it might cause the landlady to request them to give +up their rooms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," said Lilian, after the groan had subsided, "I felt sure that +Ware man was going to take the old place. I think he's mean!"</p> + +<p>"I think Mr. Lloyd is mean," broke in Dorothy. "I don't like him!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't his fault, my dear," said her grandmother. "He has done all in +his power to sell the place, but it seems to be unsalable, except at +auction. And that would probably mean that our financial affairs would +be in no better state than they are now."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see Our Domain," said Leicester, thoughtfully; "what's it +like, grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, dear; I've never seen it. Your grandfather never saw it +either. He bought the property through an agent, merely as a +speculation."</p> + +<p>"Ho!" cried Leicester, "the idea of owning a Domain that nobody has ever +seen! why, perhaps there is nothing there at all, and so of course +nobody will buy it."</p> + +<p>"People!" exclaimed Dorothy, suddenly, her eyes shining, and her whole +air expressive of a wonderful discovery. And, too, when Dorothy said, +"People!" in that tone of voice, the others had learned that she meant +to announce one of her plans. As a rule, her plans were wild and +impracticable schemes, but they were always interesting to listen to.</p> + +<p>"People, I'll tell you exactly what we'll do. Grandma says we can't +afford any extra expense this summer. So,—we'll go and live in our +Domain!"</p> + +<p>"Well, of all crazy things," said Lilian, in a disappointed tone. "I +thought you were going to say something nice."</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> nice," said Dorothy; "you think it isn't, because you don't +know anything about it. I know all about it. Now listen and I'll tell +you."</p> + +<p>"Know all about it!" said Leicester; "you don't even know where it is!"</p> + +<p>"Anybody can find that out," went on Dorothy; "and then when we find +out, all we have to do is to go there. And then we'll live in the house, +no matter what it is. It's ours, and so we won't have to pay any rent, +and we girls will do all the housework and cooking, and so it won't +cost near as much as boarding. And the difference will pay our traveling +expenses to the Domain, wherever it is. And we won't need any new +clothes to go to a place like that, and it will be perfectly lovely, as +good as a prairie or a Texas, or anything! Now then!"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Leicester; "I do believe you've struck it right this +time. It will be great! I'll do my share of the work,—it will be just +like camping out. What do you suppose the house is like?"</p> + +<p>"Isn't it lovely not to know!" cried Lilian; "everything about it will +be such a surprise. When can we go, grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dears, how you rattle on," said Mrs. Dorrance, half-laughing, +and yet beginning to take an interest in Dorothy's plan.</p> + +<p>Fairy was keeping up a running fire of conversation, but nobody paid any +attention to her.</p> + +<p>"Where is the place, grandmother?" asked Dorothy, who was taking it all +a little more seriously than the others; "you must know at least what +state it's in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I know that. It's on the shore of Lake Ponetcong,—in the +northern part of New Jersey."</p> + +<p>"What a fearful name!" cried Leicester; "but I don't care if it's called +Alibazan, so long as there's a lake there. You never told us about the +lake before."</p> + +<p>"A lake!" said Lilian, with an ecstatic air; "I shall just stay on that +all the time. I shall have a rowboat and a sailboat and a canoe——"</p> + +<p>"And a cataraman," supplemented her brother; "you can use the hotel for +a boathouse, Lilian, and we'll build a little cabin to live in."</p> + +<p>"Don't go so fast, children," said Mrs. Dorrance; "if you'll give me a +minute to think, I'm not sure but I could see some sense in this +arrangement."</p> + +<p>"Oh, granny, dear," cried Dorothy, clasping her hands beseechingly; "do +take a minute to think. Take several minutes, and think hard, and see if +you can't think some sense into it."</p> + +<p>"As you say," began Mrs. Dorrance, while the children were breathlessly +quiet in their anxiety, "the living expenses would be very much less +than in any boarding-house. And in a country-place like that, you would +not need elaborate clothes. But there are many things to be considered; +you see, I've no idea what the house is like, or in what condition we +would find it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind that," pleaded Dorothy; "let's take our chances. That +will be the fun of it, to go there, not knowing what we're going to. And +anyway, we'll have room enough."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling; "in a hotel you will probably have +room enough. But what do you mean by saying you can do the housework? In +the first place you're not strong enough, and secondly, you don't know +how."</p> + +<p>"I'll do the work," said Fairy. "I don't care if I am only twelve, I can +cook; 'cause when I went to Gladys Miller's one day, she had a little +stove and she showed me how. I'll do all the cooking, and you other +girls can do the domesticker work. Leicester can do all the man's work, +and grannymother can be a Princess of high degree, and just sit and look +on. And then on some days——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we know how to work," interrupted Dorothy. It was always +necessary to interrupt Fairy if anybody wanted to say anything.</p> + +<p>"And I won't mind how much I have to do, if we have some outdoors around +us. Only think, it's May out of doors now, and here we have to stay shut +up in this old boarding-house, same as in December."</p> + +<p>"You may go out for a while if you care to, little girl," said +Leicester, assuming a grown-up air.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to go out on paved streets," said Dorothy; "I want green +fields and trees and cows."</p> + +<p>"I want free life and I want fresh air," sang Leicester, "and I do +believe we are going to get it. Come, granny, speak the word,—say we +may go."</p> + +<p>"I can't say, positively," said Mrs. Dorrance, "until I write to Mr. +Lloyd and see what he thinks of it. If he agrees to the plan, I suppose +we might try it. But it is all so uncertain."</p> + +<p>"Never mind the uncertainty," said Dorothy; "just leave it all to me. +Now see here, grandmother, for twelve years you've looked after us +children, and taken care of us, and now, I think we're getting old +enough to look after ourselves. Anyway, let us try it. Let us all go up +to the Domain, and spend the summer there. We'll do the best we can, and +if we fail it will be our own fault. You're not to have any +responsibility, you're just to be there as a kind of guardian angel and +general adviser. Nothing very dreadful can happen to us,—at least, +nothing half so dreadful as staying in the city all summer. Now just +write to Mr. Lloyd, and don't ask his opinion, but tell him you've +decided to do this, and just ask him how to get there."</p> + +<p>"We can tell how to get there, ourselves," said Leicester; "let's look +it up on the map. Fairy, get the big atlas, will you?"</p> + +<p>Though Fairy was always called upon to wait on the other children, it +was by no means an imposition, for the child was always dancing around +the room anyway, and dearly loved to do things for people.</p> + +<p>Soon three of the Dorrance children were gathered around the table +studying the map. Fairy, in order to see better, had climbed up on the +table, and was eagerly following with her tiny forefinger the track of +Leicester's pencil.</p> + +<p>"It isn't so very far, after all," he announced. "It's just across the +ferry, and then up on the railroad till you get to it. It looks awfully +near. Oh, I wish we were going to start to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Why can't we?" said Lilian, who always favored quick action.</p> + +<p>"There's <i>no</i> reason," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling at the impetuous +children; "of course we can <i>just</i> as well take the seven o'clock train +to-morrow morning as not!"</p> + +<p>"Now you're teasing, grandma," said Lilian; "truly, when can we go?"</p> + +<p>"Just the minute school closes," answered Dorothy. "I suppose we must +stay for that,—I must, anyway; but we could get off the last week in +May."</p> + +<p>Here the announcement of dinner put an end to their planning for the +present, but so gay of heart were they over their happy anticipations, +that for once they didn't mind the gloomy dining-room and their +irritating fellow boarders.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE DEPARTURE</h3> + + +<p>After several interviews with Mr. Lloyd, and after discussing the matter +with several other friends whose advice she valued, Mrs. Dorrance +concluded that it was best to try Dorothy's plan. It did seem hard to +keep the children in the city all summer, and however the experiment +might result it could do no great harm in any way.</p> + +<p>They were to start the last week in May, and though Mr. Lloyd had +offered to go up with them, Grandma Dorrance had concluded that would +not be necessary.</p> + +<p>For all Mrs. Dorrance's gentle, helpless manner, the fine old lady had a +certain reserve force, which often manifested itself in an unexpected +decision.</p> + +<p>Leicester, too, showed himself capable of rising to an emergency, and +now that there was occasion for him to be looked upon as the man of the +family, he determined to play well the part. He suddenly seemed to be as +old as Dorothy, and though he deferred to her judgment, he made many +good suggestions which she was glad to accept.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the thought more than once occurred to Grandma Dorrance that the +experiences of the coming summer would teach the children a great deal, +and strengthen their characters in many ways, whatever else its results +might be.</p> + +<p>Not that the Dorrance children became sedate and responsible all at +once. By no means. Their discussions were quite as animated as formerly, +if not more so; and as the time of departure drew nearer, they became so +excited and excitable that had they not been going away, there is a +possibility that Mrs. Cooper might have invited them to do so.</p> + +<p>Many of their friends came to see them during their last few days in the +city, and nearly all brought them gifts or remembrances of some sort.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance viewed with dismay the collection of souvenirs that the +children planned to take with them. It was the live gifts that troubled +her most, and she was finally obliged to stipulate that they should be +allowed to carry only one pet each. So Dorothy took a dog, a large and +beautiful St. Bernard, which she had owned for some years. But as he was +even less desirable in a boarding-house than children, they had been +obliged to make his home with a friend who lived on Long Island. Dorothy +had been in the habit of visiting him frequently, and a great friendship +existed between them.</p> + +<p>The twins chose a pair of rabbits, because they had never had any +rabbits before, and as Leicester said, "What's a Domain without +rabbits?"</p> + +<p>Fairy hesitated long, between a kitten and a canary, but finally chose +the kitten, as being less trouble and more comfort; and the bird was +about to be returned to its donor. But Grandma Dorrance declared that +she too was entitled to a pet and would take the bird for hers, +whereupon Fairy was ecstatically happy.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It was a difficult caravan to plan and to move, but one Monday morning +the departure was successfully accomplished.</p> + +<p>Two carriages and a dray-load of trunks and boxes formed the procession.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance had concluded that much of the necessary work of the +house, especially at first, would be too hard for the girls; and had +therefore decided to take with them a strong young Irish girl to help.</p> + +<p>One of the waitresses, who was about to leave Mrs. Cooper's service +anyway, seemed just the right one. Her name was Tessie, and she was a +devoted friend of the young Dorrances. Her Irish sense of humor made her +delight in their pranks, and it was to the satisfaction of all that she +accompanied the party.</p> + +<p>They crossed the city without attracting attention, but the procession +that filed onto the ferry-boat could not long remain unnoticed.</p> + +<p>Fairy persisted in dancing ahead, and then dancing back to know which +way to go next. She carried her kitten in a basket, and talked to it +incessantly through the slats. Lilian carried the bird-cage, and +Leicester, a box containing the rabbits. Dorothy led her big dog by a +leash, and as she had assumed a sudden dignity, born of the occasion, +she made with the magnificent and stately animal beside her, an +impressive picture. Tessie was entrusted with the care of Grandma +Dorrance; and this was a wise arrangement, for though accustomed to +traveling, Mrs. Dorrance was also accustomed to lean on some one else +for the responsibilities of the trip.</p> + +<p>Dorothy saw this more plainly than ever during their journey, and +resolved more strongly than ever that she would relieve her grandmother +of all possible care, and be a real help and support to her.</p> + +<p>It was just as she reached this decision that Fairy lifted the lid of +her basket and peeped in to talk to the kitten. But she opened the lid a +trifle too wide and the frightened kitten jumped out and ran to the edge +of the deck, where the poor little thing sat quivering, and shivering, +and apparently just about to tumble into the water.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily the four Dorrances gave one of their best concerted +groans. The low moaning notes and the final shriek roused Dare, the +great dog, to a sudden wild excitement. Breaking away from Dorothy's +hold, he flew after the tiny Maltese kitten, and taking her head in his +mouth, rescued her from imminent peril.</p> + +<p>But Fairy, not appreciating that it was a rescue, looked upon it as a +massacre, and began to howl piteously. Whereupon Dare deposited the +squirming kitten at Fairy's feet, and added his bark, which was no faint +one, to the general pandemonium.</p> + +<p>All of which so disturbed poor Mrs. Dorrance, that she was glad to have +Tessie lead her into the cabin, and there make her as comfortable as +possible with a pillow and some smelling-salts.</p> + +<p>Meantime peace and quiet had been restored to the party on deck, and +they were waving joyful farewells to the tall buildings on Manhattan +Island.</p> + +<p>"There's the old Flatiron," cried Leicester; "good-bye, old Flatiron! +hope I won't see you again for a long while."</p> + +<p>"There's the new Flatiron too," cried Lilian. "I don't want to see that +again for ever so long, either."</p> + +<p>"You'll see flatirons enough, my lady," said Dorothy, "when you find +yourself doing the laundry work for a large and able-bodied family."</p> + +<p>"I won't have to do that, will I?" cried Lilian, aghast; "nobody told me +that!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we needn't wash the clothes," said Dorothy; "but likely we'll +have to help iron; that is, if we wear any white dresses."</p> + +<p>"I'll promise not to wear any white dresses," said Leicester.</p> + +<p>"I don't care what I wear, if we just once get into the country," said +Lilian. "Oh Dorothy, what <i>do</i> you suppose it will be like?"</p> + +<p>"Just like Mrs. Cooper's," said Dorothy, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well it can't be like that," said Lilian; "and so I don't care what it +is."</p> + +<p>Another excitement came when they were all getting packed into the +train. Dare had to travel in the baggage-car, of which he expressed his +disapproval by long and continuous growlings. The rabbits were put +there, too, but they made less fuss about it.</p> + +<p>The bird and the kitten were allowed in the car with the children, and +this arrangement added to the general gayety.</p> + +<p>Although Mrs. Dorrance naturally considered herself in charge of the +expedition, and though Dorothy felt sure she was, and though Leicester +hoped he might be, yet it was really quick-witted Tessie who looked +after things and kept matters straight.</p> + +<p>The ride through northern New Jersey was not picturesque, and as there +was very little to look at from the windows, the four soon returned to +their favorite game of guessing what the new home would be like.</p> + +<p>"What shall we call it?" asked Leicester; "it ought to have a name."</p> + +<p>"And a nice one, too," said Dorothy; "for, do you know, I think we shall +live there always."</p> + +<p>"Wait 'til you see it," said Lilian; "we may not even want to stay over +night."</p> + +<p>"We couldn't stay always," said Fairy; "how would we go to school?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we couldn't," said Dorothy; "but after we all get through +school, then we can; and it will be lovely to have a home of our own, +so let's get a good name for it."</p> + +<p>"Why not the Domain?" said Leicester. "That's what we've always called +it, and so it sounds natural."</p> + +<p>"That isn't enough by itself," said Dorothy. "How do you like the +Dorrance Domain?"</p> + +<p>They all liked this, and so The Dorrance Domain was decided upon, and +they all rushed to tell grandma the name of her new home.</p> + +<p>It was noon when the train reached the Ponetcong Station. Here they all +bundled out, bag and baggage, children and animals. But as the boat, in +which they were to continue their journey did not leave until one +o'clock, there was ample time to get some luncheon,—which more than +pleased the four hungry Dorrances. Upon inquiry, they were directed to a +small country hotel and soon found themselves confronted with many small +portions of not over-attractive looking viands.</p> + +<p>But for once, the children cared little about what they ate or how it +was served, so eager were they at the prospect of soon reaching their +new home.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose it will be like?" said Lilian, quite as if she were +propounding a brand-new conundrum.</p> + +<p>"I've s'posed everything I can possibly think of," said Leicester; "but +I'm willing to guess again if you want me to."</p> + +<p>"It isn't worth while guessing much more," said Dorothy; "for very soon +we will <i>know</i>. Now, Lilian, you and Fairy stay here with grandma, and +Leicester and I will go over to that little store across the street and +buy some things to take with us for supper to-night. Tessie may go too, +to help us carry them."</p> + +<p>But this plan was far from acceptable.</p> + +<p>"That isn't fair!" cried Lilian; "buying things for our own home is the +most fun yet, and I think we all ought to go together."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Fairy. "Let Tessie stay with grandma, and us four will +go to purchase the eatabubbles."</p> + +<p>Fairy did not stutter, but, when excited, she was apt to put extra +syllables in her words.</p> + +<p>"Come on, then," said Dorothy, and with Dare bounding beside them, the +four ran across the road to the little grocery shop.</p> + +<p>"Let's be very sensible," said Dorothy, "and get just the right things. +You know young housekeepers always do ridiculous things when they go to +buy provisions. Now what do we need most?"</p> + +<p>"Bread," said the twins together, and surely nobody could have +criticised their suggestion as ridiculous.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy, and then turning to the grocer, she said politely, +"Have you any bread?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss," replied the grocer, staring in amazement at the four +excited children; "what kind?"</p> + +<p>"Why, just bread," said Dorothy; "fresh bread, you know. Is there more +than one kind?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss. Square loaf, long loaf, twist loaf and raisin bread."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, appalled by this superabundant variety.</p> + +<p>But Leicester came to the rescue. "Raisin bread," said he; "that's the +kind. And then we want some butter, if you please."</p> + +<p>"Print, pat or tub?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not a whole tub full," said Dorothy, diligently trying to be +sensible; "we couldn't carry a tub. I think we'll take a—a print."</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss; anything else?"</p> + +<p>The weight of responsibility was so great, that no one spoke for a +moment, and then Fairy, in a burst of confidence began:</p> + +<p>"You see, mister, we've never bought anything before; we've just eaten +other people's things; but now we've got a home of our own, a really +truly home, and these things are to eat in it. So of course you see we +have to be very careful what we buy. We're trying very hard to be +sensible housekeepers, 'cause my sister says we must, and she knows +everything in the world. And so if you could 'vise us a little, we'd +know better 'bout selectioning."</p> + +<p>After this speech, a few questions from the grocer resulted in a frank +and straightforward statement of the case by Dorothy, and then a +judicious selection was made of immediate necessities for the commissary +department of The Dorrance Domain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE MAMIE MEAD</h3> + + +<p>As the man of the family and courier of the expedition, Leicester had +assumed an air of importance, and looked after the baggage checks, +tickets and time-tables with an effect of official guardianship.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a steamboat!" exclaimed Fairy, as a diminutive steamer came +puffing up to the dock. "I thought it would be a canal-boat."</p> + +<p>"People don't travel to a Domain in a canal-boat, my child," said +Leicester, instructively.</p> + +<p>"But you said we'd go on the canal," insisted Fairy; "and I want to see +what a canal is like. There is one in my geography——"</p> + +<p>"Skip aboard, kidlums, and you'll soon see what a canal is like," said +Leicester, who was marshaling his party over the gangplank.</p> + +<p>The <i>Mamie Mead</i> was the very smallest steamboat the children had ever +seen, and it seemed like playing house to establish themselves on its +tiny deck. Dare seemed to find it inadequate to his ideas of proportion, +and he stalked around, knocking over chairs and camp-stools with a fine +air of indifference.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance, who by this time was rather tired by the journey, was +made as comfortable as possible, and then the children prepared to enjoy +the excitements of their first trip on a canal.</p> + +<p>The smoothness of the water amazed them all, and they wondered why it +wasn't more like a river.</p> + +<p>The locks, especially, aroused awe and admiration.</p> + +<p>By the time they went through the first gate they had made the +acquaintance of the captain, and could watch the performance more +intelligently. It seemed nothing short of magic to watch the great gates +slowly close, and then to feel their own boat rising slowly but +steadily, as the water rushed in from the upper sluice.</p> + +<p>"It's just like Noah and the Ark," exclaimed Fairy, "when the floods +made them go up and up."</p> + +<p>"It's exactly like that," agreed Dorothy, as the waters kept rising; +"and we've nearly as many animals on board as he had."</p> + +<p>All too soon they had risen to the level of the lake, and another pair +of great gates swung open to let them through.</p> + +<p>"Are we going to stay on top?" asked Fairy; "or must we go down again?"</p> + +<p>"You'll stay on top this time, little missie," said good-natured old +Captain Kane, smiling at Fairy. "This boat ain't no submarine to dive +down into the lake."</p> + +<p>"But you dived up into the lake," insisted Fairy.</p> + +<p>"That was the only way to get here, miss. But any day you would like to +go back and dive down, here's the man that will take you. The <i>Mamie +Mead</i> is always glad of passengers. She don't get none too many +nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Why doesn't she?" asked Leicester, with interest.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, sir, since the hotel's been empty, they ain't no call +for <i>Mamie</i> much. So whenever you kids wants a free ride, just come +down to the dock and wave something. If so be's I'm goin' by, I'll stop +and take you on. Is the place you're goin' near the hotel?"</p> + +<p>"Near the hotel!" cried Dorothy; "why we're going <i>to</i> the hotel."</p> + +<p>"You can't. 'Tain't open."</p> + +<p>"I know it," said Dorothy; "but it will be when we get there. We have +all the keys."</p> + +<p>"For the land's sake! And what are you goin' to do there?"</p> + +<p>"We're going to live there," exclaimed Leicester; "we own the +place,—that is, my grandmother does."</p> + +<p>"Own it? Own the Dorrance place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we're all Dorrances."</p> + +<p>"For the land's sake! Well, when you want to go down to the station for +anything, this here boat's at your service,—that is, if I'm up this +way."</p> + +<p>"Do you come up this way often?" asked Dorothy, who appreciated the +possible value of this offer.</p> + +<p>"I allus comes once a week, miss. I goes over to Dolan's Point every +Saturday. Will you be here till Saturday?"</p> + +<p>"Saturday! Why we're going to stay all summer."</p> + +<p>"Beggin' your pardon, miss, but I don't think as how you will. Just the +few of you shakin' around in that big hotel! It's ridikilus!"</p> + +<p>"Ridiculous or not, we're going to do it," said Leicester, stoutly; "but +we thank you for your offer, Captain Kane, and very likely we'll be glad +to accept it."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's your home," said Captain Kane, as a large white building +began to be visible through the trees.</p> + +<p>Without a word, the Dorrance children looked in the direction the +captain indicated.</p> + +<p>High up on the sloping shore of the lake, they saw a great house which +seemed to be an interminable length of tall, white columns supporting +tiers of verandas.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that can't be it! that great, big place!"</p> + +<p>"It looks like the Pantheon," said Lilian.</p> + +<p>"You mean the Parthenon," said Leicester; "but I never can tell them +apart, myself. Anyway, if that's the Dorrance Domain, it's all right! +What do you think, Fairy?"</p> + +<p>Fairy looked at the big hotel, and then said thoughtfully, "I guess +we'll have room enough."</p> + +<p>"I guess we will," cried Dorothy, laughing; and then they all ran to +Grandma Dorrance, to show her the wonderful sight.</p> + +<p>The good lady was also astounded at the enormous size of the hotel, and +greatly impressed with the beauty of the scene. It was about three +o'clock, on a lovely May afternoon, and the hotel, which faced the west, +gleamed among trees which shaded from the palest spring tints to the +dark evergreens. It was at the top of a high slope, but behind it was a +background of other hills, and in the distance, mountains.</p> + +<p>"<i>Aren't</i> you glad we came? Oh, grannymother, <i>aren't</i> you glad we +came?" cried Dorothy, clasping her hands in ecstasy.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am, dear; but I had no idea it was such an immense house. How +can we take care of it?"</p> + +<p>"That question will come later," said Leicester; "the thing is now, how +shall we get to it. How <i>do</i> people get to it, Captain Kane?"</p> + +<p>"Steps," answered the captain, laconically.</p> + +<p>"Up from the dock?"</p> + +<p>"Yep; a hundred and forty of 'em."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can grandmother climb all those?"</p> + +<p>"Settin'-places all the way along," suggested the captain, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mean landing-places on the stair-way?"</p> + +<p>"Yep; so folks can rest. I guess your grandma'll get up all right; but +what about all your trunks and things?"</p> + +<p>"Why I don't know," said Leicester, suddenly losing his air of capable +importance.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's old Hickox; you might get him."</p> + +<p>"Where can we find Mr. Hickox?"</p> + +<p>"He's most generally settin' around the dock. Favorite restin'-place of +his. Think I can see him there now."</p> + +<p>After a few moments more the <i>Mamie Mead</i> bumped against the dock.</p> + +<p>"Our own dock!" cried Dorothy; "oh, isn't it gorgeous!"</p> + +<p>Probably such an excited crowd had never before landed from the <i>Mamie +Mead</i>. The children all talked at once; Grandma Dorrance seemed +rejuvenated by the happy occasion; Tessie was speechless with delight; +Dare gave short, sharp barks expressive of deep satisfaction and the +canary bird burst into his most jubilant song. Doubtless the kitten was +purring contentedly, if not audibly.</p> + +<p>The trunks and other luggage were put out on the dock, and Mr. Hickox +sauntered up and viewed them with an air of great interest.</p> + +<p>"I guess this is where I come in handy," he said, with a broad smile and +a deferential bob of his head that somehow seemed to serve as a general +introduction all around.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hickox was a strange looking man. He was very tall, indeed, by far +the tallest man the children had ever seen; and he was also very thin. +Or perhaps <i>lean</i> is a more expressive word to describe Mr. Hickox, for +he gave no impression of ill-health, or emaciation, but rather the +leanness of muscular strength. His brown hair and side-whiskers were +touched with gray, and his tanned face was wrinkled, but he did not seem +like an old man. His blue eyes twinkled with good-humor, and his voice +was delightfully kind.</p> + +<p>Instinctively the Dorrance children felt that they had found a friend in +this strange man, and they were grateful.</p> + +<p>"Could you tell us, sir," said Leicester, "how we are going to get these +trunks and things up to the hotel?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I can tell you that. I'm going to lug them up myself."</p> + +<p>"What, carry them?" said Leicester, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, no; not carry them,—not exactly carry them. You see I've got a +little contraption of my own; a sort of cart or dray, and I'll just put +all that duffle of yours into it, and it'll be up to the top before +you're there yourselves."</p> + +<p>"You don't drag it up the stairs!"</p> + +<p>"No, I go up the back way,—a roundabout, winding path of my own. But +don't you worry,—don't worry,—Hickox'll look after things. It'll be +all right."</p> + +<p>Although Mr. Hickox spoke in short staccato jerks, his remarks seemed to +carry authority; and nodding his head in a manner peculiar to himself, +he went off after his cart.</p> + +<p>"He's all right, he is," declared Captain Kane; "but his old woman, she +isn't so right. But never mind 'bout that. You'll see old Mrs. Hickox +sooner or later and then you can size her up for yourself. Well, me and +<i>Mamie</i> must be gettin' along. You all jest stay here till Hickox comes +back, and he'll get you up the hill all right."</p> + +<p>As Captain Kane went away the children could hear him chuckling to +himself, and murmuring, "Goin' to live in the hotel! well, well!"</p> + +<p>As Grandma Dorrance would want frequent rests by the way, Dorothy +proposed that she should start on up the steps with Tessie, while the +rest waited for Mr. Hickox.</p> + +<p>That long specimen of humanity soon came briskly along, trundling a +queer sort of push-cart, which it was quite evident was of home +manufacture.</p> + +<p>"I made it myself," he declared, pointing with pride to the ungainly +vehicle. "I was surprised that I could do it," he added modestly; "Mrs. +Hickox, she was surprised, too. But she generally is surprised. You +don't know my wife, do you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy, politely; "we haven't that pleasure."</p> + +<p>"H'm," said Mr. Hickox, rubbing down his side-whiskers; "she's a nice +woman,—a very nice woman, but you must take her easy. Yes, when you +meet her, you must certainly take her easy. She doesn't like to be +surprised."</p> + +<p>"Do you think she will be surprised at us?" asked Lilian, who was well +aware that many people thought the Dorrances surprising.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I think she will. I certainly think she will. Why, to tell the +truth, I'm some surprised at you myself,—and I ain't half so easy +surprised as Mrs. Hickox."</p> + +<p>As he talked, Mr. Hickox was bundling the luggage into his cart. He +picked up trunks and boxes as if they weighed next to nothing, and +deposited them neatly and compactly in his queer vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Any of the live stock to go?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy, "we'll take the animals; unless,—yes, you might +take the rabbits; their cage is so heavy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, do," said Leicester; "then I'll carry the bird-cage, and you girls +can manage the dog and the kitten."</p> + +<p>So everything else was put into the dray, even the provisions they had +bought at the grocery shop, and the children watched with astonishment, +as Mr. Hickox started off, easily pushing the load along a winding path.</p> + +<p>"He's the strongest man I ever saw," exclaimed Leicester; "and I'd like +to go along with him to see how he does it."</p> + +<p>"No, you come with us," said Fairy, dancing around, and clasping her +brother's hand; "come on; now we're going up a million steps and then we +will come to our own Domain."</p> + +<p>Climbing the steps was anything but a work of toil, for continually new +delights met their eyes, and they paused often to exclaim and comment.</p> + +<p>About half-way up they found grandma and Tessie sitting on one of the +small landings, waiting for them.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll go the rest of the way together," said Dorothy, "for we must +all see our Domain at the same time. Go as slowly as you like, +grandmother, we're in no hurry."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE DORRANCE DOMAIN</h3> + + +<p>Alternately resting and climbing, at last they reached the top, and for +the first time had a full view of the Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Dorothy in an awe-struck whisper, "that's our home! All of +it!"</p> + +<p>Leicester, from sheer lack of words to express his feelings, turned +double somersaults on the grass, while Fairy danced around in her usual +flutterbudget way, singing at the top of her voice.</p> + +<p>Lilian, the practical, after one look at the great building, said +excitedly, "Grandmother, where are the keys, quick?"</p> + +<p>The hotel itself was a white frame building, about two hundred feet long +and three stories high. Huge pillars supported verandas that ran all +around the house on each story. Broad steps led up to the main +entrance, and at one corner was a large tower which rose for several +stories above the main part of the house.</p> + +<p>Although the whole place had a deserted aspect,—the shutters were all +closed, and the lawns uncared for,—yet it did not seem out of repair, +or uninhabitable. Indeed, the apparent care with which it had been +closed up and made secure was reassuring in itself, and the children +eagerly followed Lilian who had gained possession of the front door key.</p> + +<p>With little difficulty they succeeded in unfastening the great front +doors and threw them wide open to admit the May sunshine.</p> + +<p>They found themselves at first in a large hall which ran straight +through the house. It was furnished in red, with a velvet carpet and +satin brocade sofas, which seemed to the Dorrances quite the most +beautiful furnishings they had ever looked upon.</p> + +<p>Arched off from this hall was a good-sized room, which Leicester +declared to be the office, and as soon as the windows of that could be +thrown open, the desks and safe and other office furniture proved he was +right. Opening a wicket door, he flew in behind the great desk, and +throwing open a large book which was there, he turned it around towards +Dorothy with a flourish, and asked her to register.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she cried, wild with excitement, "it's just like the Sleeping +Beauty's palace. Everything is just as they went off and left it. Who +registered last, Leicester?"</p> + +<p>"The last is Mr. Henry Sinclair, who arrived here in July, summer before +last."</p> + +<p>"And nobody's been here since!" exclaimed Lilian; "just think of it! It +seems as if we ought to register."</p> + +<p>"You may if you like," said Leicester; "it's our register, you know."</p> + +<p>But the ink was all dried up, and the pens all rusty, so they left the +office and went to make further explorations.</p> + +<p>Across the hall from the office was the great parlor. Many hands make +light work at opening windows, and in a jiffy the parlor was flooded +with sunshine.</p> + +<p>Then there were more exclamations of delight, for the parlor +appointments were truly palatial. Gorgeous frescoes and wall +decorations, mirrors in heavily gilded frames, brocaded hangings, ornate +furniture, and a wonderful crystal chandelier made a general effect that +contrasted most pleasurably with Mrs. Cooper's unpretentious +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>Even a piano was there, and flinging it open, Dorothy struck up a brisk +two-step, and in a moment the twins were dancing up and down the long +room, while Fairy, who had been dancing all the time, simply kept on.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance sank onto a sofa and watched her happy grandchildren, +no less happy herself.</p> + +<p>It was a daring experiment, and she did not know how it would turn out, +but she was glad that at last she was able to give the children, for a +time at least, that desire of their heart,—a home in the country.</p> + +<p>After the grand parlor, and several smaller reception rooms, all equally +attractive, they went back across the hall, and through the office to +investigate the other side of the house. Here they found the +dining-rooms. One immense one, containing a perfect forest of tables +and chairs, and two smaller ones.</p> + +<p>One of the smaller ones which overlooked the lake, Dorothy declared +should be their family dining-room.</p> + +<p>"There's more room in the big dining-room," said Lilian, slyly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is," said Dorothy; "and I <i>do</i> hate to be cramped. Perhaps +we had better use the big one, and each one have a whole table all to +ourselves."</p> + +<p>"No," said Grandma Dorrance, "we'll use the small one every day, and +then some time when we invite all Mrs. Cooper's family to visit us, we +can use the large one."</p> + +<p>"Oh," groaned Lilian, "don't mention Mrs. Cooper's dining-room while +we're in this one."</p> + +<p>After the dining-rooms came the kitchens, supplied with everything the +most exacting housekeeper could desire; but all on the large scale +requisite for a summer hotel.</p> + +<p>"I should think <i>anybody</i> could cook here," said Dorothy; "and as I +propose to do the cooking for the family, I'm glad everything is so +complete and convenient."</p> + +<p>"You never can cook up all these things," said Fairy, looking with awe +at the rows of utensils; "not even if we have seventeen meals a day."</p> + +<p>"<i>Will</i> you look at the dish towels!" exclaimed Lilian, throwing open +the door of a cupboard, where hundreds of folded dish towels were +arranged in neat piles.</p> + +<p>At this climax, Mrs. Dorrance sank down on a wooden settle that stood in +the kitchen, and clasping her hands, exclaimed, "It's too much, girls, +it's too big; we never can do anything with it."</p> + +<p>"Now you mustn't look at it that way, granny, dear," said Dorothy, +brightly; "this is our home; and you know, be it ever so humble, there's +no place like home. And if a home and all its fixings are too big, +instead of too little, why, you'll have to manage it somehow just the +same. Of course, I'm overpowered too, at this enormous place, but I +won't own up to it! I will <i>never</i> admit to <i>anybody</i> that I think the +rooms or the house unusually large. I <i>like</i> a big house, and I like +spacious rooms! I <i>hate</i> to be cramped,—as possibly you may have heard +me remark before."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Dot!" cried Leicester. "I won't be phased either. We're +here, and we're here to stay. We're not going to be scared off by a few +square miles of red velvet carpet, and some sixty-foot mirrors!"</p> + +<p>"I think the place rather small, myself," said Lilian, who rarely +allowed herself to be outdone in jesting; "I confess <i>I</i> have a little +of that cramped feeling yet."</p> + +<p>At this they all laughed, and went on with their tour of the house. +Merely taking a peep into the numerous pantries, laundries, storerooms +and servants' quarters, they concluded to go at once to inspect the +bedrooms.</p> + +<p>"Don't go up these stairs," said Leicester turning away from the side +staircase. "Let's go back to the main hall, and go up the grand +staircase, as if we had just arrived, and were being shown to our +rooms."</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>isn't</i> it fun!" cried Fairy, as she hopped along by her brother's +side. "I never had such a fun in my whole life! Wouldn't it be awful if +we were really guests instead of purporietors?"</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> wouldn't be a guest," said Leicester, teasingly; "no +well-conducted summer hotel would take a flibbertigibbet like you to +board!"</p> + +<p>"Nobody would take us Dorrances to board anyway, if they could help it," +said Fairy, complacently; "we all know how obnoxiorous we are."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Grandma Dorrance, sighing; "and if we can only make a +little corner of this big place habitable, I shall certainly feel a +great relief in not being responsible for you children to any landlady."</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, granny, we're not so bad, are we?" said Leicester, +patting the old lady's cheek.</p> + +<p>"You're not bad at all. You're the best children in the world. But just +so sure as you get shut up in a boarding-house you get possessed of a +spirit of mischief, and I never know what you are going to do next. But +up here I don't <i>care</i> what you do next."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached the entrance hall, and assuming the air +of a proprietor, Leicester, with an elaborate flourish and a profound +bow, said suavely:</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mrs. Dorrance, I believe. Would you like to look at our rooms, +madam? We have some very fine suites on the second floor that I feel +sure will please you. Are these your children, madam?"</p> + +<p>"We're her grandchildren," volunteered Fairy, anxious to be in the game.</p> + +<p>"Incredible! Such a young and charming lady with grandchildren! Now I +should have said <i>you</i> were the grandmother," with another elaborate bow +to Fairy.</p> + +<p>Laughing at Leicester's nonsense, they all went up-stairs together, and +discovered a perfect maze of bedrooms.</p> + +<p>Scattering in different directions, the children opened door after door, +pulled up blinds, and flung open windows, and screamed to each other to +come and see their discoveries. Tessie followed the tribe around, +wondering if she were really in fairyland. The unsophisticated Irish +girl had never seen a house like this before, and to think it belonged +to the people with whom she was to live, suddenly filled her with a +great awe of the Dorrance family.</p> + +<p>"Do you like it, Tessie?" asked Mrs. Dorrance, seeing the girl's amazed +expression.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yis, mum! Shure, I niver saw anything so grand, mum. It's a castle, +it is."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tessie," said Leicester; "a castle is the same as a +domain. And all these millions of bedrooms are part of our Domain. Our +very own! Hooray for the Dorrance Domain!"</p> + +<p>The wild cheer that accompanied and followed Leicester's hurrah must +have been audible on the other side of Lake Ponetcong. At any rate it +served as a sort of escape-valve for their overflowing enthusiasm, which +otherwise must soon have gotten beyond their control.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Mrs. Dorrance, "that it would be wise for you each to +select the bedroom you prefer,—for to-night at least. If you choose to +change your minds to-morrow, I don't know of any one who will object."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Lilian, "to think of changing your room in a hotel just as +often as you like, and nobody caring a bit! I shall have a different one +every night."</p> + +<p>"That won't be my plan," said her grandmother, laughing; "I think I +shall keep the one I'm in, for mine, and make no change."</p> + +<p>As it was a large, pleasant, southwest room, with a delightful view of +the lake, it was thought to be just the one for grandma, and they all +willingly agreed.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose there are sheets and pillow-slips and things?" asked +Dorothy, and a pell-mell rush of four explorers soon brought about the +discovery of a wonderful linen room.</p> + +<p>Grandma and Tessie were called to look, and all exclaimed at the sight. +It was a large room with shelves on all four sides and the shelves were +piled with neatly-folded clean linen,—sheets, counterpanes, +towels,—everything that was necessary.</p> + +<p>"Whoever left this house last," said grandma, "was a wonderful +housekeeper. I should like to see her and compliment her personally."</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's wonderful, mum!" said Tessie, still a little dazed by the +succession of wonders.</p> + +<p>"Well then, children," went on grandma, "pick out your rooms, and Tessie +can make up your beds for you, and when Mr. Hickox brings the trunks, +they can be brought right up here."</p> + +<p>"How clever you are, grannymother," cried Dorothy, kissing her. "I said +I'd direct the arrangements,—and yet I never once thought of all that."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dearie, we don't expect an old head to grow on young +shoulders all at once. And besides, you'll have enough to do +down-stairs. Did I hear you say you're going to get supper? And is +anybody going to build a fire in the kitchen?"</p> + +<p>"I'll build the fire," cried Leicester, "just as soon as I select my +room from the hotel clerk."</p> + +<p>The boy ran down the hall and in a few moments returned, saying that he +had made a selection, and would take the tower-room.</p> + +<p>Of course they all flew to see it, and found a large octagon-shaped +room with windows on five sides, leaving only enough wall space for the +necessary furniture. But it was a beautiful room, "just like being +outdoors," Leicester said, and they all applauded his choice.</p> + +<p>Just then the door-bell was heard to ring, and this gave the children a +new sensation.</p> + +<p>"Our own door-bell!" cried Dorothy; "only to think of that! Tessie, +please go down to the door!" and Tessie went, with the four Dorrances +following close behind her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>MR. HICKOX</h3> + + +<p>It was Mr. Hickox who was at the door. By a winding path he had pushed +his cart full of luggage up the hill, and now expressed his willingness +to deposit the goods where they belonged.</p> + +<p>The big man seemed to think nothing of carrying the trunks, one after +another, up to the bedrooms; and meantime the children carried the +provisions to the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Although Dorothy was nominally housekeeper, and wanted to assume entire +charge of all household arrangements, Grandma Dorrance had a long and +serious talk with Mr. Hickox regarding ways and means.</p> + +<p>It was most satisfactory; for whenever any apparent difficulty arose, +the kind-hearted man summarily disposed of it by waving his hand and +remarking: "Don't worry. Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all +right!"</p> + +<p>So convincing was his attitude that Mrs. Dorrance at last felt satisfied +that there were no serious obstacles in their path; and like the +sensible lady she was, she determined to let Dorothy have full power and +manage her new home in any way she saw fit.</p> + +<p>Dorothy's nature was, perhaps, a little over-confident. She was not +inclined to hesitate at anything; indeed, the more difficult the +undertaking, the greater her determination to succeed.</p> + +<p>And so, when Mrs. Dorrance informed Mr. Hickox that Miss Dorothy was the +housekeeper, and was in authority, Dorothy rose to the occasion and +assumed at once a certain little air of dignity and responsibility that +sat well upon her.</p> + +<p>She, too, was encouraged by Mr. Hickox's continued assertions that it +would be all right.</p> + +<p>She learned from him that the nearest place where they might buy +provisions was Woodville, where a certain Mr. Bill Hodges kept a store. +His wares included everything that a country store usually deals in, +"and Bill himself," said Mr. Hickox, "is just the cleverest man in these +parts."</p> + +<p>"How do we get there?" asked Leicester, who had declared his willingness +to consider going to market as part of his share of the work.</p> + +<p>"Well, there're several ways. Haven't got a horse, have you?" Mr. Hickox +said this casually, as if he thought Leicester might have one in his +pocket.</p> + +<p>"No," said Leicester; "we don't own a horse. Is it too far to walk?"</p> + +<p>"No; 'tain't any too much of a sprint for young legs like yours. It's +two miles around by the road and over the bridge. But it's only a mile +across by the boat."</p> + +<p>"But we haven't any boat."</p> + +<p>"Haven't any boat! well I should say you had. Why there is half-a-dozen +rowboats belongs to this hotel; and a catboat too, and a sneak-box,—my +land! you've got everything but a steamboat."</p> + +<p>"And Captain Kane said we could use his steamboat," cried Dorothy, +gleefully; "so we've really got a whole navy at our disposal!"</p> + +<p>"So you have, so you have," agreed Mr. Hickox, rubbing his long hands +together, in a curious way he had; "and don't you worry. Whenever you +want anything that you can't get with your navy, Hickox'll look after +it. It'll be all right!"</p> + +<p>"Do you live near here, Mr. Hickox?" asked Lilian.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, miss. Just a piece up the road. And if you want some nice +fresh garden truck, now and then,—just now and then;—we haven't got +enough to supply you regular."</p> + +<p>"We'll be very glad to have it, whenever you can spare it," said +Dorothy; "I'll send for it."</p> + +<p>"Well, no, Miss Dorothy. I'd some rather you wouldn't send for it. You +see Mrs. Hickox she's apt to—to be surprised at anything like that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," said Dorothy; "bring it whenever it's convenient. We're +always glad of fresh vegetables. And eggs,—do you have eggs?"</p> + +<p>"Now and again,—just now and again. But when we have them to spare I'll +bring 'em. It'll be all right. Now I must jog along; Mrs. Hickox will be +surprised if I don't get home pretty soon."</p> + +<p>"One thing more, Mr. Hickox," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Are there ever any +burglars or marauders around this neighborhood?"</p> + +<p>"Land, no, ma'm! Bless your heart, don't you worry a mite! Such a thing +was never heard of in these parts. Burglars! ho, ho, well I guess not! +Why I've never locked my front door in my life, and I never knew anybody +around here that did."</p> + +<p>After Mr. Hickox's departure, Leicester observed thoughtfully, "What a +very surprisable woman Mrs. Hickox seems to be."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Dorothy; "I'm anxious to see her. I think I'd like to +surprise her a few times."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's a nice man," said Lilian; "I like him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is nice," said Leicester; "and isn't that jolly about the +boats? I'm going right out to hunt them up."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, my First Gold-Stick-In-Waiting," said Dorothy; "I think you +promised to make a kitchen fire."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, Major-domo," returned Leicester, gaily; "I'll do that in a +jiffy. Where's the kindling-wood?"</p> + +<p>"Where's the kindling-wood, indeed," returned Dorothy; "<i>you</i>'re to make +the fire, and you're also to make the kindling-wood, and the paper and +the matches! I'm not employing assistants who don't assist."</p> + +<p>"All right, my lady. I'll make your fire, even if I have to split up +that big settle for fire-wood."</p> + +<p>With a wild whoop, Leicester disappeared in the direction of the +kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grannymother," cried Dorothy, "isn't it splendid that we can make +just as much noise as we want to! Now you sit right here on the veranda, +and enjoy the view; and don't you budge until you're called to supper." +And with another war-whoop scarcely less noisy than her brother's, +Dorothy went dancing through the big rooms, followed by her two +sisters.</p> + +<p>When she reached the kitchen, she found a fine fire blazing in the +range.</p> + +<p>Leicester sat on the settle, with his hands in his pockets, and wearing +a complacent air of achievement.</p> + +<p>"Anything the matter with that fire?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"How did you ever do it in such a minute?" cried his twin, gazing +admiringly at her brother.</p> + +<p>"Magic," said Leicester.</p> + +<p>"Magic in the shape of Tessie," said Dorothy, laughing, as the +good-natured Irish girl appeared from the pantry.</p> + +<p>"Right you are," said Leicester; "that's Tessie's own fire. And she +didn't have to split up the furniture, for she says there's lots of wood +and coal in the cellar."</p> + +<p>"Well, did you ever!" cried Dorothy; "I wouldn't be a bit surprised to +learn that there was a gold mine in the parlor, or a pearl fishery up in +the tower."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather learn that there is something to eat somewhere," said +Leicester; "I'm simply starving. What's the use of three sisters if +they can't get a fellow some supper?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Dorothy; "and we all must go right to work. You +can't help with this part, Leicester. You skip away now, your turn will +come later. Now girls," she went on, as Leicester vanished, not without +the usual accompaniment of an ear-splitting yell, "we're going to have +an awful lot of fun; and we can make just as much noise and racket as we +please; but all the same there's a lot of work to be done, and we're +going to do it, and do it properly. It's a great deal easier if we have +system and method, and so we'll divide up the work and each of us must +do our own part, and do it thoroughly and promptly."</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear!" cried Lilian, who adored her older sister, and was more +than willing to obey her commands.</p> + +<p>"What can I do?" screamed Fairy, who was dancing round and round the +kitchen, perching now on the window-seat, now on the table, and now on +the back or arm of the old settle.</p> + +<p>"We must each have our definite work," went on Dorothy, who was herself +sitting on the back of a chair with her feet on the wooden seat. "Tessie +will have her share, but she can't do everything. So there's plenty for +us to do. Grandma is not to do a thing, that's settled. If four women +and a man can't take care of one dear old lady, it's high time they +learned how."</p> + +<p>As the youngest of the four "women" was just then clambering up the +cupboard shelves, and singing lustily at the top of her voice, some +people might have thought that the dear old lady in question had an +uncertain outlook. But Dorothy was entirely undisturbed by the attitudes +of her audience, and continued her discourse.</p> + +<p>"I shall do the cooking,—that is, most of it. I'm a born cook, and I +love it; besides I want to learn, and so I'm going to try all sorts of +dishes, and you children will have to eat them,—good or bad."</p> + +<p>"I like to make cake and fancy desserts," said Lilian.</p> + +<p>"All right, you can make them. And I'll make croquettes and omelets, and +all sorts of lovely things, and Tessie can look after the boiling of +the potatoes and vegetables, and plain things like that. You haven't had +much experience in cooking, have you, Tessie?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Dorothy; but I'm glad to learn, and I'll do just whatever you +tell me."</p> + +<p>"Fairy can set the table, and help with the dusting. We girls will each +take care of our own rooms, and Tessie can take care of Leicester's. +I'll attend to grandma's room myself."</p> + +<p>"Let me help with that," said Lilian.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll all help; and we'll keep the parlors tidy, and Tessie can +wash the dishes and look after the dining-room and kitchen. Leicester +can help with the out-of-door work; the grass ought to be mowed and the +paths kept in order. But good gracious! none of this work is going to +amount to much. If we're spry, we can do it all up in less than no time, +and have hours and hours left every day to play, and read, and go out on +the lake, and tramp in the woods, and just enjoy ourselves. Oh, isn't it +great!" and jumping to the floor with a bang, Dorothy seized the hands +of the others, and in a moment all four were dancing around in a ring, +while the three Dorrance voices loudly proclaimed that there was no +place like home.</p> + +<p>Tessie had begun to grow accustomed to the boisterous young people, and +as she thought everything they did was nothing short of perfection, she +readily adapted herself to her own part.</p> + +<p>"What about the laundry-work, Miss Dorothy?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know," said Dorothy. "I hadn't really thought of that. I +wonder if we can find a laundress anywhere around. We must ask Mr. +Hickox."</p> + +<p>"Now, Miss Dorothy, if you'll let me, I'm just sure I can do the washing +and ironing. With all these beautiful tubs and things, it'll be no +trouble at all, at all."</p> + +<p>"Why if you could, Tessie, that would be fine. Let me see, we won't have +many white dresses or fancy things, but there'll be lots of sheets and +table linen. You know we're a pretty big family."</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss; but I'm sure I can do it all. I'm strong, and I'm a good +washer."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll try it, anyway," said Dorothy, "and see how you get along. +We girls will help a little more with your work on Mondays and Tuesdays, +and then I think it will all come out right."</p> + +<p>Dorothy was a singular mixture of capability and inconsequence.</p> + +<p>Her power of quick decision, and her confidence in her own ability, made +her words a little dictatorial; but the gentleness of her nature, and +the winning smile which accompanied her orders took from them any touch +of unpleasant authority. Dorothy's whole attitude was one of good +comradeship, and though much given to turbulent demonstration of her joy +of living, she was innately of an equable temperament and had never been +known to lose her temper.</p> + +<p>Lilian, on the other hand, was more excitable, and more prone to hasty +decisions which were afterwards rejected or revised. Lilian could get +very angry upon occasion, but she had a fine sense of justice; and if +she found herself in the wrong, she was more than ready to confess it +and to make amends. The two girls really exercised a good influence over +one another, and the bonds of affection between them were very strong. +Indeed the four Dorrances were a most loyal quartet; and though they +teased each other, and made fun of each other, it was always in an +honest good-humored spirit that was quite willing to take as much as it +gave.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>MRS. HICKOX</h3> + + +<p>At six o'clock the family sat down to supper.</p> + +<p>Dorothy had a lingering desire to use the great dining-room, but Mrs. +Dorrance had persuaded her that it was far more sensible to use the +smaller one, and she had pleasantly acquiesced.</p> + +<p>Indeed the smaller one was a large apartment, about four times the size +of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room. The outlook across the lake was charming, +and the room itself prettily decorated and furnished.</p> + +<p>Fairy had wanted to use small tables, letting two sit at each table, but +again Grandma Dorrance had gently insisted on a family table.</p> + +<p>So the small tables had been taken from the room, and a good-sized round +dining-table substituted, at which Mrs. Dorrance presided. Leicester +sat opposite her, Dorothy on one side, and the two younger girls on the +other.</p> + +<p>Very attractive the table looked, for the china, glass and plated +silverware were all practically new, and of pretty design. Tessie was an +experienced and willing waitress; and it is safe to say that the +Dorrance family had never before so enjoyed a meal.</p> + +<p>Many hands had made light work, and Dorothy's had made light biscuits, +and also a delicious omelet. They had strawberry jam and potted cheese, +and some sliced boiled ham, all of which they had bought at the grocery +shop on the way up.</p> + +<p>"It's a sort of pick-up supper," said Dorothy; "but I'm not saying this +by way of apology. You will very often have a pick-up supper. Indeed, I +think almost always. We're going to have dinner in the middle of the +day, because that's the better arrangement in the country."</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, nobody seemed to care what the dinner hour might +be, so interested were they in the supper under consideration.</p> + +<p>"I think pick-ups are lovely," said Fairy, taking a fourth biscuit; "I +never tasted anything so good as these biscuits, and I do hope +Dorothy'll make them three times a day. They are perfectly deliciorous!"</p> + +<p>"You're very flattering," said Dorothy. "But I won't promise to make +them three times a day."</p> + +<p>"I could eat them six times a day," declared Leicester; "but I don't +want Dot to be cooking all the time. What do you think, girls, there are +lots of boats of every sort and kind. Shall we go out rowing this +evening, or wait till to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"You'll wait till to-morrow," said grandma, quietly.</p> + +<p>"All right, grandma," said Leicester; "we'll start to-morrow morning +right after breakfast; will you go, too?"</p> + +<p>"No, not on your first trip. I may go with you some time later in the +season. And I'll tell you now, children, once for all, that I'm going to +trust you to go on the lake whenever you choose; with the understanding +that you're to be sensible and honorable about it. The lake is very +treacherous; and if there is the least doubt about its being safe to +venture out, you must ask Mr. Hickox about it, and if he advises you +against it, you must not go. Also I trust you to act like reasonable +human beings when you are in a boat, and not do foolish or rash things. +In a word, I trust you not to get drowned, and somehow I feel sure you +won't."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, grannymother!" cried Leicester; "you're of the right +sort. Why I've known grandmothers who would walk up and down the dock +wringing their hands, for fear their geese weren't swans,—no, I guess I +mean for fear their chickens weren't ducks. Well, anyhow, it doesn't +make any difference; you're the best grandmother in the world, and +always will be."</p> + +<p>After supper the Dorrances strolled through the hotel, and finally +seated themselves in the great parlor.</p> + +<p>Fairy plumped herself down in the middle of the floor, and sat +cross-legged, with her chin in her hands.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, baby?" asked Leicester; "aren't these satin sofas +good enough for you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I like to sit in the middle, and then I can look all around. I +am just goating over it."</p> + +<p>"Goat away; we're all doing the same thing," said Dorothy; "now +grandmother, you sit on this sofa; and I'll go 'way down to the other +end of the room, and sit on that one, and then we'll holler at each +other. It's <i>such</i> a relief not to be cooped up in a little bunch."</p> + +<p>The twins seated themselves on opposite sides of the room, and then the +conversation was carried on in loud tones, that delighted the hearts of +these noise-loving young people.</p> + +<p>So merry were they that their laughter quite drowned the sound of the +door-bell when it rang, and before they knew it, Tessie was ushering a +visitor into the parlor.</p> + +<p>The great chandeliers had not been lighted, but the thoughtful Tessie +had filled and lighted several side lamps, so they were quite able to +see their somewhat eccentric-looking guest. She wore a black silk +mantilla of an old-fashioned style; and her bonnet which was loaded +with dangling black bugles, was not much more modern. She was a small, +thin little woman, with bright, snapping black eyes, and a sharp nose +and chin.</p> + +<p>"I'm Mrs. Hickox," she said, "and I'm surprised that you people should +come to live in this great big hotel."</p> + +<p>As Leicester said afterwards, if there had been any doubt as to the +lady's identity, they would have felt sure, as soon as she declared her +surprise.</p> + +<p>"We are glad to see you, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, rising +with her gentle grace, and extending her hand in cordial greeting to her +visitor. "Won't you be seated?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox sat down carefully on the edge of one of the chairs.</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised," she said, "that you should use this best room so +common. Why don't you sit in some of the smaller rooms?"</p> + +<p>"We like this," said Grandma Dorrance, quietly. "May I present my +grandchildren,—this is Dorothy."</p> + +<p>The four were duly introduced, and really behaved remarkably well +considering they were choking with laughter at Mrs. Hickox's continual +surprises.</p> + +<p>"Do you propose to live in the whole house?" asked Mrs. Hickox, after +the children had seated themselves a little more decorously than usual.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "my grandchildren have been cooped up in +small city rooms for so long, that they are glad to have plenty of space +to roam around in."</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't good for children to be left so free. It makes 'em regular +hobbledehoys. Children need lots of training. Now that Dorothy,—my +husband tells me she's head of the house. How ridiculous!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it <i>is</i> ridiculous, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, dimpling and +smiling; "but I'm over sixteen, and that's quite a big girl, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're big enough for your age, but there's no sense of your +keeping house in a great big hotel like this."</p> + +<p>"There's no sense in our doing anything else, Mrs. Hickox," said +Leicester, coming to his sister's rescue. "We own this place, and we +can't sell it or rent it, so the only thing to do is to live in it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox shook her head until the jets on her bonnet rattled, and the +children wondered if she wouldn't shake some of them off.</p> + +<p>"No good will come of it," she said. "This hotel has had six proprietors +since it was built, and none of them could make it pay."</p> + +<p>"But we're not keeping a hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, +smiling; "we're just living here in a modest, unpretentious way, and I +think my grandchildren are going to be happy here."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's what Mr. Hickox said; but I wouldn't believe him, and I +said I'd just come over to see for myself. It seems he was right, and I +must say I am surprised."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox was a nervous, fidgety woman, and waved her hands about in a +continuous flutter. She was all the time picking at her bonnet-strings, +or her dress-trimmings, or the fringe of her mantilla. Indeed once she +pulled the feather of her bonnet over in front of her eyes and then +tossed it back with a satisfied smile. "I often do that," she said, "to +make sure it's there. It blew out one night, and I lost it. I found it +again and sewed it in tight, but I get worried about it every once in a +while. I'm awful fond of dress, and I hope you brought a lot of new +patterns up from the city. I've got a new-fangled skirt pattern, but I +don't like it because it has the pocket in the back. The idea! I was +surprised at that. I like a pocket right at my finger-ends all the +time."</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Hickox spoke she thrust her five finger-ends in and out of her +pocket so rapidly and so many times, that Dorothy felt quite sure she +would wear her precious pocket to rags.</p> + +<p>"What do you carry in your pocket?" asked Fairy, fascinated by the +performance.</p> + +<p>"Many things," said Mrs. Hickox, mysteriously; "but mostly newspaper +clippings. I tell you there's lots of good things in newspapers; and we +have a paper 'most every week, so of course I can cut out a good many. +The only trouble, cutting clippings out of a paper does spoil the paper +for covering shelves. The papers on my pantry shelves now have had some +clippings cut out of them, but I just set piles of plates over the +holes. Well, I must be going. I just came over to be sociable. I'm your +nearest neighbor, and of course up here in the country neighbors have to +be neighborly, but I'm free to confess I don't favor borrowing nor +lending. Woodville is nearer you than it is me, and I expect you'll do +your trading there."</p> + +<p>"Of course we shall, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, flushing a little; "we +are not the sort of people who borrow from our neighbors. But Mr. Hickox +told us that you sometimes had vegetables and eggs to sell; if that is +so, we'd be glad to buy them."</p> + +<p>"When I have them, miss, I'll let you know," said Mrs. Hickox, shaking +her bugles more violently than ever. "But you needn't come 'round +inquiring for them; when I have them I'll let you know."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Dorothy, who was only amused, and not at all angry at +her visitor's hostile attitude.</p> + +<p>But Lilian could not so easily control her indignation. "We can get +vegetables and eggs at Woodville," she said. "We don't really need any +of yours."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I guess that'll be the least of your troubles," said Mrs. +Hickox, edging towards the door, with a restless, jerky gait. "You're +lucky if the tank don't burst, or the windmill get out of order, or +anything happen that will be really worth worrying over."</p> + +<p>By this time Mrs. Hickox had backed out and edged along until she was on +the veranda. "Good-bye," she said, awkwardly; "come to see me, when you +feel to do so; but I ain't noways set on having company. I like the +little one best, though."</p> + +<p>This sudden avowal so startled Fairy, that she fell off the newel-post +where she had been daintily balancing herself on one foot. As Leicester +caught her in his arms, no harm was done, but Mrs. Hickox ejaculated, +with a little more force than usual, "Well, I <i>am</i> surprised!"</p> + +<p>"That's why I tumbled over," said Fairy, looking intently at Mrs. +Hickox, "'cause <i>I</i> was so s'prised that you said you liked me best. If +you want me to, I'll come to see you with great pleasure and delight."</p> + +<p>"Come once in a while," said Mrs. Hickox, cautiously; "but I don't want +you racing there all the time."</p> + +<p>"No, I won't race there all the time," said Fairy, seriously. "I'll just +race down about once a day. Where do you live?"</p> + +<p>"I live in the yellow house,—the first one down the road. But you +needn't come more than once a week."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Fairy, cheerfully; "we'll make it Wednesdays then. I +love to have things to do on Wednesday, 'cause I used to take my music +lesson on that day, and it's so lonesome not to have anything special to +do."</p> + +<p>While Fairy was talking, Mrs. Hickox had shaken hands all around, and +had backed down the steps.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye," she said, vigorously waving both hands as she went away.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all queer people!" exclaimed Dorothy, as they went back to the +parlor. "I'm glad we haven't many neighbors, if they're all like that. +Mr. Hickox is funny enough, but she's funnier yet."</p> + +<p>"We don't care whether we have neighbors or not, we've got the Dorrance +Domain," said Leicester; "and that's enough to make us happy, and keep +us so."</p> + +<p>"So say we all of us," cried Lilian; "the Dorrance Domain forever!"</p> + +<p>As usual, this was merely a signal for a series of jubilant hurrahs, and +quiet Grandma Dorrance sat on her sofa, and listened contentedly to her +happy, if noisy brood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE FLOATING BRIDGE</h3> + + +<p>Next morning the young Dorrances experienced for the first time the joy +of going to market.</p> + +<p>Their appointed household tasks were all done first, for Dorothy had +insisted on that. Then she and Tessie had conferred as to what was +needed, and she had made out a list.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance had decreed against a sailboat for the children alone; +but they were at liberty to go in a rowboat.</p> + +<p>So down the steps the four ran, and found Mr. Hickox waiting for them at +the dock.</p> + +<p>He had put a boat in the water for them. It was a round-bottomed boat, +but wide and roomy; easy to row and provided with two pairs of shining +oars.</p> + +<p>"Can any of you row?" inquired Mr. Hickox, looking uncertainly at the +children; "for I can't go along with you this morning. Mrs. Hickox, she +wants me to work in the garden,—she says the weeds are higher 'n a +kite."</p> + +<p>"We can row," said Leicester; "but not so very well. We haven't had much +experience, you know. But we're going to learn."</p> + +<p>"I thought we'd each have a boat," said Fairy; "I want to learn to row. +I want to be a 'sperinshed boat-lady."</p> + +<p>"You can learn to row, baby, but you can't go in a boat all by yourself +until you <i>have</i> learned."</p> + +<p>"But I 'most know how now."</p> + +<p>"Well I'll tell you how we'll fix it; two of us will row going over, and +the other two can row coming back. To divide up evenly, suppose Dorothy +and Lilian row over, and Fairy and I will row home." This was a bit of +self-sacrifice on Leicester's part, for he was most eager to handle the +oars himself.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hickox quite appreciated the boy's attitude, and nodded approvingly +at him but he only said: "All right, sonny, you sit in the stern and +steer, and I make no doubt these young ladies'll row you over in fine +shape."</p> + +<p>Fairy was safely settled in the bow, with an admonition to sit still for +once in her life; and then Dorothy and Lilian excitedly grasped the oars +and splashed away.</p> + +<p>It was not very skilful rowing, but it propelled the boat, and by the +aid of Leicester's steering, they made a progressive, if somewhat zigzag +course.</p> + +<p>The morning was perfect. The lake calm and placid, with tiny soft +ripples all over it. The green hills sloped down to its shore on all +sides; while here and there, at long intervals, a house or a building +gleamed white among the trees. The exhilarating air, and the excitement +of the occasion roused the Dorrances' spirits far above normal,—which +is saying a great deal.</p> + +<p>The arms of the rowers grew very tired; partly because they were so +unused to vigorous exercise, and partly because the rowing was far more +energetic than scientific.</p> + +<p>But the girls didn't mind being tired, and pulled away gleefully to an +accompaniment of laughter and song.</p> + +<p>Leicester would have relieved them, but they had promised grandma they +would not move around or change places in the boat until they had become +more accustomed to nautical ways.</p> + +<p>But it was only a mile, after all, and they finally landed at Dolan's +Point, and guided the bow of their boat up on to the beach in a truly +shipshape manner. Fairy sprang out with a bound that landed her on the +dry sand; Leicester followed, and then helped the exhausted but +victorious galley-slaves to alight.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it glorious!" cried Dorothy, panting for breath, but aglow with +happiness.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" agreed Lilian, but she looked a little ruefully at eight +blisters on her pink palms.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Leicester, cheerfully; "you'll get calloused +after a while; blisters always have to come first."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pooh, I don't mind them a bit," protested Lilian; for the Dorrances +were all of a plucky disposition.</p> + +<p>On they went, following the directions given them by Mr. Hickox, and +making wonderful explorations at every turn.</p> + +<p>Dolan's Point seemed to be occupied principally by a large boathouse. +This belonged to a club-house, which was farther up the hill, and whose +turrets and gables shining in the morning sunlight, looked like those of +an old castle.</p> + +<p>Their way lay across the point, and then they were to cross a small arm +of the lake by means of a bridge.</p> + +<p>Dorothy had hoped for a rustic bridge, and Leicester had told her that +it would probably be two foot-planks and a hand-rail.</p> + +<p>But when they saw the bridge itself, they were really struck speechless +with wonder and delight. It was a floating bridge, built of logs. It was +perhaps eight feet wide, and was made by logs laid transversely and +close together. They were held in place by immense iron chains which +went alternately over and under the logs at their ends. Except at the +sides of the bridge, the logs were not visible for they were covered +with a deep layer of soil on which grew luxuriant green grass. The thick +grass had been mowed and cared for until it resembled a soft velvet +carpet.</p> + +<p>On either side of the bridge was a hand-rail of rope, supported at +intervals by wooden uprights. The rope rails and the uprights were both +covered with carefully trained vines. Among these were morning-glory +vines, and their pink and purple blossoms made an exquisite floral +decoration.</p> + +<p>Evidently the bridge was in charge of somebody who loved to care for it, +and who enjoyed keeping it in order.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose we walk on it?" asked Fairy, with a sort of awe in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Leicester. "It must be meant for that; but isn't it the most +beautiful thing you ever saw!"</p> + +<p>It certainly was, and the children stepped on to it gently, and walked +slowly as one would walk in a church aisle.</p> + +<p>Although suspended at both ends, almost the whole length of the bridge +rested on the water, and swayed gently with the rippling of the lake. It +was a delicious sensation to walk on the unstable turf, and feel it move +slightly under foot.</p> + +<p>As they advanced further, it seemed as if they were floating steadily +along, and Fairy grasped Leicester's hand with a little tremor. When +they reached the middle of the bridge they all sat down on the grass, +and discussed the wonderful affair.</p> + +<p>"I shall spend most of my time here," said Dorothy; "it seems to be +public property, and I like it better than any park I have ever seen."</p> + +<p>"It's lovely," agreed Lilian; "I'd like to bring a book and sit here all +day and read."</p> + +<p>"But it's so funny," said Fairy; "it's a bridge, and it's a park, and +it's a garden, and it's a front yard,—and yet all the time it's a +bridge."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go on," said Leicester. "I suppose it will keep, and we can +walk back over it. And if we don't get our marketing done, we'll be like +the old woman who didn't get home in time to make her apple-dumplings."</p> + +<p>"If she had found this bridge," declared Dorothy, "she never would have +gone home at all, and her story would never have been told."</p> + +<p>But they all scrambled up and went on merrily towards the grocery store.</p> + +<p>The store itself was a delight, as real country stores always are. Mr. +Bill Hodges was a storekeeper of the affable type, and expressed great +interest in his new customers.</p> + +<p>He regaled them with ginger-snaps and thin slivers of cheese, which he +cut off and proffered on the point of a huge shiny-bladed knife. This +refreshment was very acceptable, and when he supplemented it with a +glass of milk all around, Dorothy was so grateful that she felt as if +she ought to buy out his whole stock.</p> + +<p>But putting on a most housewifely air, she showed Mr. Hodges her list of +needs, and inquired if he could supply them.</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart, yes," he replied. "Bill Hodges is the man to purvide +you with them things. Shall I send 'em to you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, can you?" said Dorothy. "I didn't know you delivered goods. I'd be +glad if you would send the bag of flour and the potatoes, but most of +the smaller things we can carry ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Well I swan!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges; "you're real bright, you air. +How did ye come over? Walk?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir," said Leicester. "We came in a rowboat; and then walked across +the Point and over the bridge. We think that bridge very wonderful."</p> + +<p>"And very beautiful," added Lilian. "Who keeps it so nice?"</p> + +<p>"And doesn't it ever fall down in the water?" asked Fairy; "or doesn't +the mud wash off, or don't people fall off of it and get drownded? and +how do you cut the grass, and how do you water the flowers? It's just +like a conservatorory!"</p> + +<p>As Mr. Bill Hodges was something of a talker himself, he was surprised +to be outdone in his own line by the golden-haired stranger-child, who, +apparently without effort, reeled off such a string of questions. But as +they referred to a subject dear to his heart he was delighted to answer +them.</p> + +<p>"That bridge, my young friends, is my joy and delight. Nobody touches +that bridge, to take care of it, but Bill Hodges,—that's me. I'm proud +of that bridge, I am, and I don't know what I'd do, if I didn't have it +to care for. I'm glad you like it; I ain't got nary chick nor child to +run across it. So whenever you young folks feel like coming over to look +at it, I'll be pleased and proud to have ye; pleased and proud, that's +what I'll be; so come early and come often, come one and come all."</p> + +<p>"We'll bring our grandmother over to see it," said Dorothy, "just as +soon as we can manage to do so."</p> + +<p>"Do," said Mr. Hodges, heartily. "Bring her along, bring her along. Glad +to welcome her, I'm sure. Now I'll go 'long and help you tote your +bundles to your boat. I don't have crowds of customers this time of day, +and I can just as well go as not."</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted old man filled a basket with their purchases, and +trudged along beside the children.</p> + +<p>"Ain't it purty!" he exclaimed as they crossed the bridge. "Oh, <i>ain't</i> +it purty?"</p> + +<p>"It is," said Dorothy. "I don't wonder you love it."</p> + +<p>"And there ain't another like it in the whole world," went on the +prideful Hodges. "Of course there are floating bridges, but no-wheres is +there one as purty as this."</p> + +<p>The children willingly agreed to this statement, and praised the bridge +quite to the content of its owner.</p> + +<p>"Fish much?" Mr. Hodges inquired casually of Leicester.</p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't yet. You see we only arrived yesterday, and we're not +fairly settled yet."</p> + +<p>"Find plenty of fishin' tackle over to my place. Come along when you're +ready, and Bill Hodges'll fit ye out. Pretty big proposition,—you kids +shakin' around in that great empty hotel."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we like it," said Leicester; "it just suits us, and we're +going to have a fine time all summer."</p> + +<p>"Hope ye will, hope ye will. There ain't been nobody livin' there now +for two summers and I'm right down glad to have somebody into it."</p> + +<p>"Why do you suppose they couldn't make it pay as a hotel?" asked +Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"Well, it was most always the proprietor's fault. Yes, it was the +proprietor's fault. Nice people would come up there to board, and then +Harding,—he was the last fellow that tried to run it,—he wouldn't +treat 'em nice. He'd scrimp 'em, and purty nigh starve 'em. Ye can't +keep boarders that way. And so of course the boarders kept leavin', and +so the hotel got a bad name, and so nobody wants to try a hand at it +again."</p> + +<p>When they reached the boat, Mr. Hodges stowed their basket away for +them, helped the children in and pushed the boat off.</p> + +<p>With gay good-byes and promises to come soon again, the children rowed +away.</p> + +<p>Leicester and Fairy took the oars this time, and Fairy's comical +splashing about made fun for them all. She soon declared she had rowed +enough for one day, but Leicester proved himself well able to get the +boat across the lake without assistance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE HICKOXES AT HOME</h3> + + +<p>On Wednesday morning Fairy declared her intention of visiting Mrs. +Hickox. She carried her kitten with her, and danced gaily along the +road, singing as she went.</p> + +<p>She found the house without any trouble, as it was the only one in +sight; and opening the front gate, she walked up the flower-bordered +path to the house, still singing loudly. She wore the kitten around her +neck as a sort of boa, and this seemed to be a satisfactory arrangement +to all concerned, for the kitten purred contentedly.</p> + +<p>Fairy rapped several times at the front door, but there was no answer; +so she walked leisurely around to the side of the house. There she saw +another outside door, which seemed to open into a small room or ell +attached to the house. She knocked at this door, and it was opened by +Mrs. Hickox herself, but such a different looking Mrs. Hickox from the +one who had called on them, that Fairy scarcely recognized her. Her hair +was done up in crimping pins, and she wore a short black skirt and a +loose white sacque.</p> + +<p>"Goodness me!" she exclaimed, "have you come traipsing over here +a'ready? What's the matter with your hotel, that you can't stay in it?"</p> + +<p>"There's nothing a matter with the hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, +amiably; "but I said I'd come to see you on Wednesday, and so I came. +I've brought my kitten."</p> + +<p>"You've brought your kitten! for the land sake what did you do that for? +Don't you know this is my milk-room? The idea of a kitten in a +milk-room! Well I <i>am</i> surprised!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think a milk-room is just the place for a kitten. Couldn't you +give her a little drink of milk, she's awfully fond of it."</p> + +<p>"Why I s'pose I could give her a little. Such a mite of a cat wouldn't +want much; but I do hate cats; they're such pestering creatures."</p> + +<p>"But this one doesn't pester, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, earnestly. +"She's such a dear good little kitty. Her name is Mike."</p> + +<p>"What a ridiculous name! I'm surprised that you should call her that."</p> + +<p>"It isn't much of a name," said Fairy, apologetically. "But you see it's +only temporaneous. I couldn't think of just the right name, so I just +call her Mike, because that's short for my kitten."</p> + +<p>"Mike! short for my kitten! Well so it is, but I never thought of it +before."</p> + +<p>"All our other animals have regular names," volunteered Fairy. "Our +dog,—his name's Dare; our two rabbits are Gog and Magog,—Leicester +named them; or at least he named one, and let Lilian name the other. +They're twins you know,—the rabbits, I mean. Then we have a canary bird +and he's named Bobab. That's a nice name, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Nice name? It's heathenish! What a queer lot of children you are, +anyway."</p> + +<p>"Yes, aren't we?" said Fairy, agreeably. "We Dorrances are all queer. I +guess we inheritated it from my grandpa's people, because my grandma +isn't a bit queer."</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't she? I think she's queer to let you children come up here, +and do what you are doing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that isn't queer. You only think my grandma queer because you don't +know her. Why, I used to think you quite queer before I knew you as well +as I do now."</p> + +<p>"You consider yourself well acquainted now, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; when anybody visits anybody sociaberly, like I do you, they +know each other quite well. But I think it's queer why you call this +room a milk-room." Fairy looked around at the shelves and tables which +were filled with jars and pans and baskets, and receptacles of all +sorts. The floor was of brick, and the room was pleasantly cool, though +the weather had begun to be rather warm.</p> + +<p>"I call it a milk-room because that's its name," said Mrs. Hickox, +shortly.</p> + +<p>"But <i>why</i> is that its name?" persisted Fairy. "You keep everything +else here as well as milk. Why don't you call it the butter-room or the +pie-room?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know. Don't pester me so with your questions. Here's a +cookie; now I'll take you in the house, and show you the best room, and +then you must go home. I don't like to have little girls around very +much. Come along, but don't eat your cookie in the house; you'll make +crumbs. Put it in your pocket until you get out of doors again."</p> + +<p>"I won't pester," said Fairy; "you just go on with your work, whatever +you were doing, and I'll play around by myself."</p> + +<p>"By yourself! I guess you won't! Do you suppose I want a great girl like +you rampoosing around my house! I've seen you fly around! You'd upset +everything."</p> + +<p>"I expect I would, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, laughing. "I just certainly +can't sit still; it gives me the widgets."</p> + +<p>"I guess I won't take you into the best room after all, then. Like as +not you'd knock the doves over."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do let me go! What are the doves? I'll promise not to knock them +over, and I'll hold Mike tight so she can't get away. Oh, come, oh, +come; show me the best room!"</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Hickox's parlor was the pride of her life, and as she rarely had +opportunity to exhibit it to anybody, she was glad of even a child to +show it to. So bidding Fairy be very careful not to touch a thing, she +led her through the hall and opened the door of the sacred best room.</p> + +<p>It was dark inside, and it smelled a little musty. Mrs. Hickox opened +one of the window-blinds for the space of about two inches, but even +while she was doing so, Fairy had flown around the room, and flung open +all of the other window sashes and blinds. Then before Mrs. Hickox could +find words to express her wrath at this desecration, Fairy had begun a +running fire of conversation which left her hostess no chance to utter a +word.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are these the doves? How perfectly lovely!" she cried, pausing on +tip-toe in front of a table on which was a strange-shaped urn of white +alabaster, filled with gaily-colored artificial flowers. On opposite +sides of the rim of the urn were two stuffed white doves, facing each +other across the flowers. "Where did you get them? Are they alive? Are +they stuffed? What are their eyes made of? Were they your grandmother's? +Oh, one of them had his wing broken. You sewed it on again, didn't you? +But the stitches show. My sister has some glue, white glue, that would +fix that bird up just fine. When I come next Wednesday, I'll bring that +glue with me and we'll rip off that wing and fix it up all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, I <i>am</i> surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "What do children like you +know about such things? But still, if you think it would do well, I'd +like to try it. I've got a newspaper clipping about that white glue, but +I never saw any. Has your grandma unpacked her dress patterns yet?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Fairy. "I don't think she has any. We never make +our own dresses."</p> + +<p>"For the land sake! Why I thought they looked home-made. Well I <i>am</i> +surprised! But hurry up and see the room, for I want to get them +shutters shut again."</p> + +<p>Fairy didn't see anything in the room that interested her greatly. The +red-flowered carpet, the stiff black horsehair chairs, and the +marble-topped centre-table moved her neither to admiration nor mirth.</p> + +<p>"I've seen it all, thank you," she said. "Do you want it shut up again? +What do you keep it so shut up for? Do you like to have it all musty and +damp? I should think some of your newspaper clippings would tell you to +throw open your windows and let in the fresh air and sunshine."</p> + +<p>"Why they do say that," said Mrs. Hickox; "but of course I don't take it +to mean the best room."</p> + +<p>"We do," said Fairy, dancing around from window to window as she shut +the blinds. "We have that great big parlor over at the Dorrance Domain +flung wide open most of the time; and the little parlors, too, and the +dining-room and all our bedrooms."</p> + +<p>"Well, I <i>am</i> surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "It must fade your carpets +all out, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; we haven't been there three days yet, so of course they +haven't faded very much. I guess I must go home now. Leicester went out +fishing this morning, and Dorothy and Lilian went to market, and I'm +just crazy to see what they've accumerated."</p> + +<p>"Well, run along," said Mrs. Hickox; "and you can come again next +Wednesday, but don't bring your kitten the next time. When you do come +again, I wish you'd bring some of that white glue you were talking +about; I would certainly like to try it. Here, wait a minute, I'll give +you some gum-drops; then you'll remember the glue, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"I'd remember it anyway, Mrs. Hickox; but I do love candy, +per-tickle-uly gum-drops."</p> + +<p>"Well, here's three; don't eat them all to-day."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, taking the three precious bits of +candy. Then saying good-bye, she danced away with her kitten tucked +under her arm.</p> + +<p>Shortly after Fairy's departure, Mr. Hickox came dawdling along towards +his own home.</p> + +<p>"I do declare, Hickory Hickox, if you haven't been and wasted the whole +morning, fooling with those Dorrance young ones! Now what have you been +doing?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothin' in particular. Just helpin' 'em get settled a bit. Lookin' +after their boats and things, and buildin' a little house for them +rabbits of theirs. That Leicester, he's a smart chap; handy with tools, +and quick to catch on to anything."</p> + +<p>"Well I <i>am</i> surprised! Wasting a whole morning building a rabbit-coop!"</p> + +<p>"For the land's sake, Susan, it ain't wasted time. They pay me for all I +do for 'em, and they pay me well, too."</p> + +<p>"They're extravagant people. They have no business to hire you to work +around so much, when you've got plenty to do at home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't worry; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right."</p> + +<p>Though he spoke carelessly, Mr. Hickox was in reality much disturbed by +his wife's sharp speeches. Long years of married life with her had not +yet enabled his gentle, peace-loving nature to remain unruffled under +her stormy outbursts of temper. He stood, unconsciously and nervously +fumbling with a wisp of straw he had plucked from a near-by broom.</p> + +<p>"You're shiftless and idle, Hickory, and you don't know what's good for +yourself. Now do stop fiddling with that straw. First thing you know, +you'll be poking it in your ear. I cut out a newspaper clipping only +yesterday, about a man who poked a straw in his ear, and it killed him. +That's what you'll come to some day."</p> + +<p>"No, I won't."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you will! But just you remember this safe rule: never put anything +in your ear, but your elbow. But you're so forgetful. I am surprised +that a man <i>can</i> be as forgetful as you are! Throw that straw +away,—it's safer."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's safer, Susan," and Mr. Hickox threw his straw away. "And when +you sit down to dinner, I hope you will tie yourself into your chair. +You may not fall off, but it's safer."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox gave her husband a scornful look, which was all the reply +she usually vouchsafed to his occasional shafts of mild sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"That big dog is a ridiculous extravagance," she went on. "He must eat +as much as a man. I am surprised that people as poor as they are should +keep such a raft of animals."</p> + +<p>"Why the Dorrances aren't poor."</p> + +<p>"Yes they are; and if they aren't they soon will be. Throwin' open that +great big house for them few people, is enough to ruin a millionaire. +That little girl says they use nearly every room in it."</p> + +<p>"So they do," said Mr. Hickox, chuckling; "when I went over there this +morning, they was every one in a different room; happy as clams, and +noisy as a brass band."</p> + +<p>"They're a terrible lot! I never saw anything like them."</p> + +<p>"That Dorothy is a smart one," declared Mr. Hickox, with an air of great +conviction. "Some day she'll set Lake Ponetcong on fire!"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be at all surprised," said Mrs. Hickox, which was, all +things considered, a remarkable statement.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>SIX INVITATIONS</h3> + + +<p>June came, and found the Dorrance Domain in full working order. The +experiment seemed to be proving a complete success; and the six people +who lived in the big hotel were collectively and individually happy.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance realized that all was well, and gave the children +absolute liberty to do as they pleased from morning to night, feeling +grateful that the circumstances permitted her to do this. Besides +enjoying their happiness, the dear old lady was quite happy and +contented on her own account. The delightful bracing air made her feel +better and stronger; and the entire freedom from care or responsibility +quieted her nerves.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was complete mistress of the house. The responsibilities of this +position had developed many latent capabilities of her nature, and she +was daily proving herself a sensible, womanly girl, with a real talent +for administration, and much executive ability. She was very kind to +Tessie, realizing that the Irish, girl had no friends or companions of +her own class around her; but Dorothy also preserved a certain dignified +attitude, which became the relation of mistress and maid. She ordered +the household affairs with good judgment, and was rapidly becoming an +expert cook. This part of the domestic work specially appealed to her, +and she thoroughly enjoyed concocting elaborate dishes for the +delectation of her family. Sometimes these confections did not turn out +quite right; but Dorothy was not discouraged, and cheerfully threw away +the uneatable messes, and tried the same difficult recipes again, until +she had conquered them.</p> + +<p>The flaw in Dorothy's character was an over self-confidence; but this +was offset by her sunny good-humored disposition, and she gaily accepted +the situation, when the others teased her about her failures.</p> + +<p>The days passed like beautiful dreams. The family rose late, as there +was no special reason why they should rise early. The children spent +much time on the water in their rowboats, and also renewed their +acquaintance with Captain Kane, who took them frequently for a little +excursion in the <i>Mamie Mead</i>.</p> + +<p>But perhaps best of all, Dorothy liked the hours she spent lying in a +hammock, reading or day-dreaming.</p> + +<p>She was fond of books, and had an ambition to write poetry herself. This +was not a romantic tendency, but rather a desire to express in +beautiful, happy language the joy of living that was in her heart.</p> + +<p>She rarely spoke of this ambition to the others, for they did not +sympathize with it, and frankly expressed very positive opinions that +she was not a poet and never would be. Indeed, they said that Fairy had +more imagination and poetic temperament then Dorothy.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was willing to agree to this, for she in no way over-estimated +her own talent,—she was merely acutely conscious of her great desire to +write things.</p> + +<p>So often for a whole afternoon she would lie in a hammock under the +trees, looking across the lake at the hills and the sky, and +assimilating the wonderful beauty of it all. This dreamy side of +Dorothy's nature seemed to be in sharp contrast to her practical +energetic power of work; it also seemed incongruous with her intense +love of fun and her enjoyment of noisy, rollicking merriment.</p> + +<p>But these different sides reacted on each other, and combined with +Dorothy's natural frankness and honesty, made a sweet and wholesome +combination. Had Dorothy been an only child, she might have been given +too much to solitude and introspection; but by the counteracting +influences of her diverting family, and her care of their welfare, she +was saved from such a fate.</p> + +<p>One day she was suddenly impressed with a conviction that Grandma +Dorrance must often feel lonely, and that something ought to be done to +give her some special pleasure.</p> + +<p>"We all have each other," said Dorothy to the other children, "but +grandma can't go chasing around with us, and she ought to have somebody +to amuse her, at least for a time. So I think it would be nice to invite +Mrs. Thurston up here to spend a week with us."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Thurston was a lifelong friend of Mrs. Dorrance's, and moreover was +a lady greatly liked by the Dorrance children.</p> + +<p>"It would be very nice," said grandma, much gratified by Dorothy's +thoughtfulness; "I don't really feel lonely, you know; it isn't that. +But I would enjoy having Mrs. Thurston here for a time, and I am sure +she would enjoy it too."</p> + +<p>"Hooray for Mrs. Thurston!" shouted Leicester; "and say, Dot, I'd like +to have company too. S'pose we ask Jack Harris to come up for a few +days. I'm the only boy around these parts, and I declare I'd like to +have a chum. Meaning no slight to my revered sisters."</p> + +<p>"I want Gladys Miller," said Fairy. "The twins have each other, and +Dorothy has grandma, but I don't seem to have any little playmate, 'cept +Mrs. Hickox, and she's so supernumerated."</p> + +<p>They all laughed at this, but Dorothy said, "Why, we'll each invite one +guest. That's a fine idea! There's plenty of room, and as to the extra +work, if we all do a little more each day, it won't amount to much. I'll +ask Edith Putnam, and Lilian, of course, you'll want May Lewis."</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course," cried Lilian; "I'd love to have May up here. I never +once thought of it before."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what!" exclaimed Leicester. "Now here's a really +brilliant idea. Let Tessie invite some friend of hers too, and then she +can help you girls with the work."</p> + +<p>"That <i>is</i> a good idea," said Grandma Dorrance, approvingly. "We'd have +to have extra help, with so many more people, and if Tessie has any +friend who would like to come for a week, it would be very satisfactory. +Of course we will pay her wages."</p> + +<p>"Wowly-wow-wow!" exclaimed Leicester; "won't we have rackets! I say, +Dot, give Jack that other tower room, right over mine, will you? He'd +like it first-rate."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we'll give Mrs. Thurston that big pleasant room next to +grandma's. Tessie and I will begin to-day to get the rooms ready."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, sis, don't go too fast; you haven't had any acceptances yet to +the invitations you haven't yet sent!"</p> + +<p>"No, but they'll all come fast enough; we'll each write to-day, and +we'll tell the people to get together, and all come up in a bunch," said +Lilian. "I know May Lewis's mother wouldn't let her come alone, but with +Mrs. Thurston, it will be all right."</p> + +<p>"And Captain Kane can bring the whole crowd up from the station," said +Leicester; "and we'll row down to the lock to meet them. And we'll have +flags and bonfires and Chinese lanterns for a celebration. There's lots +of Chinese lanterns up in one of the storerooms,—we'll just have to get +some candles. Jiminy! won't it be fun!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it will be too hard on you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Dorrance; +"doubling the family means a great deal of extra cooking, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be all right, grannymother; and perhaps the lady Tessie +invites will be able to help out with the cooking."</p> + +<p>"Gladys's room must be next to mine," said Fairy, "so we can be +sociarbubble. I shall take her to see Mrs. Hickox the first thing, and +she'll proberly give us two gum-drops apiece."</p> + +<p>Fairy's friendship with Mrs. Hickox was a standing joke in the family, +and that lady's far from extravagant gifts of confectionery caused great +hilarity among the younger Dorrances.</p> + +<p>Full of their new project, they all flew to write their letters of +invitation, and within an hour the six missives were ready, and +Leicester volunteered to row over to Woodville with them. Tessie was +delighted at the prospect, when Dorothy explained it to her.</p> + +<p>"Shure, I'll ask me mother," she exclaimed; "she's afther bein' a fine +cook, Miss Dorothy, an' yez'll niver regret the day she comes. Indade, +she can turn her hand to annythin'."</p> + +<p>Although Tessie was a superior type of Irish girl, and usually spoke +fairly good English, when excited, she always dropped into a rich +brogue which greatly delighted the children.</p> + +<p>"Just the thing, Tessie; write for your mother at once, or I'll write +for you, if you like, and I hope she'll come up with the rest of them."</p> + +<p>"Shure, she will, Miss Dorothy; she lives all alone an' she can come as +aisy as not. An' she's that lonesome for me, you wouldn't believe! Och, +but she'll be glad of the chance."</p> + +<p>Feeling sure that most if not all of their guests would accept the +invitations, Dorothy, Lilian and Tessie,—more or less hindered by +Fairy, who tried hard to help,—spent the afternoon arranging the +bedrooms. It was a delightful task, for everything that was needed +seemed to be at hand in abundance. The hotel when built, had been most +lavishly and elaborately furnished, even down to the smallest details. +The successive proprietors had apparently appreciated the value of the +appointments, and had kept them in perfect order and repair. Moreover, +as their successive seasons had been a continuous series of failures, +and few guests had stayed at the hotel, there had been little wear and +tear.</p> + +<p>Although Mrs. Hickox had not lost her grudging demeanor regarding her +eggs and vegetables, yet Fairy was able to wheedle some flowers from her +now and then, with the result that the Dorrance Domain had assumed a +most attractive and homelike general effect.</p> + +<p>Of course, the individual rooms showed the taste and hobbies of their +several owners; while the large parlor which the family had come to use +as a general living-room had entirely lost all resemblance to a hotel +parlor, and had become the crowning glory of the Dorrance Domain. The +Dorrances had a way of leaving the impress of their personality upon all +their belongings; and since the big hotel belonged to them, it had +necessarily grown to look like their home.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Dorothy, "if they all come, it would be nicer to use the +big dining-room."</p> + +<p>"And the little tables," cried Fairy; "two at each one, you know. Me and +Gladys at one, and Leicester and Jack at another, and grandma and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Fairy," said grandma, "that wouldn't be nice at all. It +wouldn't even be polite. Use the big dining-room, if you wish, but let +us all sit at one table. Surely, you can find a table big enough for +ten."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," cried Leicester; "there are a lot of great big round +table-tops in the storeroom. They're marked 'banquet tables'; one of +those will be just the thing."</p> + +<p>"What do you do with a table-top, if it doesn't have any legs?" asked +Fairy. "Do you put it on the floor, and all of us sit on the floor +around it, like turkeys?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you mean Turks," said Leicester, instructively; "but no, we +don't arrange it just that way. We simply put the big round table-top on +top of the table we are now using, and there you are!"</p> + +<p>"It will be beautiful," said Dorothy. "I do love a round table. You can +make it look so lovely with flowers and things. I hope they'll all +come."</p> + +<p>Dorothy's hopes were fulfilled, and every one of the six who were +invited sent a delighted acceptance. Tessie's mother, perhaps, +expressed the most exuberant pleasure, but all seemed heartily glad to +come.</p> + +<p>They were invited for a week, and were expected to arrive one Thursday +afternoon at about four o'clock.</p> + +<p>Vast preparations had been made, for every one was interested especially +in one guest, and each made ready in some characteristic way.</p> + +<p>Dorothy, as housekeeper, spent all her energies on the culinary +preparations. She delighted the heart of Mr. Bill Hodges by her generous +orders, and she and Tessie had concocted a pantry-full of good things +for the expected visitors.</p> + +<p>Lilian had put the hotel in apple-pie order, and given finishing touches +to the guests' rooms, and Fairy had performed her part by inducing Mrs. +Hickox to let them have an extra lot of flowers. These flowers were all +of old-fashioned varieties which grew luxuriantly in Mrs. Hickox's +garden; and arranged with Lilian's exquisite taste, and by her deft +fingers, they made really lovely decorations for parlor, dining-room and +bedrooms.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>GUESTS FOR ALL</h3> + + +<p>As the guests would reach the Dorrance Domain by daylight, Leicester's +plan of illuminating the grounds was scarcely feasible. But he had hung +the Chinese lanterns on the veranda, and among the trees, and had put +candles inside them, so they could light them up, and have their +celebration in the evening.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that the twins should row down to meet the <i>Mamie Mead</i> +and then get on board, and escort the guests up the lake, towing their +own rowboat.</p> + +<p>Dorothy preferred to stay at home, to attend to some last important +details in the kitchen, and Fairy said she would sit with grandma on the +veranda, and await the arrival.</p> + +<p>Soon after four o'clock, Fairy ran into the house screaming to Dorothy +that the <i>Mamie Mead</i> was in sight. This gave Dorothy ample time to run +up-stairs for a final brush to her hair, and a final adjustment of her +ribbons, and there was no air of a flurried or perturbed housekeeper +about the calm and graceful girl who sauntered out on the veranda to +greet her guests.</p> + +<p>Fairy danced half-way down the steps to the dock, and then danced back +again hand-in-hand with Gladys Miller. The others came up more slowly, +and Grandma Dorrance rose with pleasure to welcome her dear friend Mrs. +Thurston.</p> + +<p>Then there was a general chorus of excited greetings all around.</p> + +<p>The newcomers were so astonished and delighted at the novelty of the +situation, that they could not restrain their enthusiasm; and the +residents of the Dorrance Domain were so proud and happy to offer such +unusual hospitality, that they too, were vociferously jubilant.</p> + +<p>But the stranger among the newcomers was of such appalling proportions +that Dorothy couldn't help staring in amazement.</p> + +<p>Tessie's mother was quite the largest woman she had ever seen, and +Dorothy privately believed that she must be the largest woman in the +whole world. She was not only very tall, and also very broad, but she +had an immense frame, and her muscles seemed to indicate a powerfulness +far beyond that of an ordinary man.</p> + +<p>To this gigantic specimen of femininity Dorothy advanced, and said +pleasantly: "I suppose this is Kathleen?"</p> + +<p>"Yis, mum; an' it's proud I am to be wid yez. The saints presarve ye, +fur a foine young lady! An' wud yez be's afther showin' me to me +daughter? Och, 'tis there she is! Tessie, me darlint, is it indade +yersilf?"</p> + +<p>Tessie had caught sight of her mother, and unable to control her +impatience had run to meet her. Though Tessie was a fair-sized girl she +seemed to be quite swallowed up in the parental embrace. Her mother's +arms went 'round her, and Leicester exclaimed, involuntarily, "Somebody +ought to rescue Tessie! she'll have every bone cracked!"</p> + +<p>But she finally emerged, unharmed and beaming with happiness, and then +she led her mother away to the kitchen, the big woman radiating joy as +she went.</p> + +<p>"She jars the earth," said Jack Harris; "as long as she's on this side, +the lake is liable to tip up, and flood this place of yours. But I say, +Less, what a magnificent place it is! Do you run the whole +shooting-match?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we do," said Leicester, trying to look modest and unostentatious. +"It isn't really too big, that is,—I mean,—we like it big."</p> + +<p>"Like it? I should think you would like it! It's just the greatest ever! +I say, take me in the house, and let me see that, will you?"</p> + +<p>The girls wanted to go too, and so leaving the elder ladies to chat on +the veranda, the children ran in, and the Dorrance Domain was exhibited +to most appreciative admirers.</p> + +<p>Jack Harris was eager to see it all; and even insisted on going up +through the skylight to the roof. This feat had not before been thought +of by the Dorrance children, and so the whole crowd clambered up the +narrow flight of stairs that led to the skylight, and scrambled out on +the roof. Dorothy's dignity was less observable just now, and she and +Edith Putnam romped and laughed with the other children as if they were +all of the same age. The view from the roof was beautiful, and the place +really possessed advantages as a playground. There was a railing all +around the edge, and though the gables were sloping, many parts of the +roof were flat, and Jack declared it would be a lovely place to sit on a +moonlight night.</p> + +<p>Then down they went again, and showing the guests to their various +rooms, made them feel that at last they were really established in the +Dorrance Domain. This naturally broke the party up into couples, and +Leicester carried Jack off to his own room first, to show him the many +boyish treasures that he had already accumulated.</p> + +<p>Fairy flew around, as Jack Harris expressed it, "like a hen with her +head off," and everywhere Fairy went, she dragged the more slowly moving +Gladys after her, by one hand. Gladys was devoted to Fairy, and admired +her thistledown ways; but being herself a fat, stolid child, could by +no means keep up to Fairy's pace.</p> + +<p>Dorothy took Edith Putnam to her room, and being intimate friends the +two girls sat down together, and became so engrossed in their chat, that +when nearly a half-hour later, Lilian and May Lewis came in to talk with +them, Edith had not yet even taken off her hat.</p> + +<p>Although dear friends of the Dorrances', Edith and May were of very +different types.</p> + +<p>Edith Putnam was a round, rosy girl, very pretty and full of life and +enthusiasm. She was decidedly comical, and kept the girls laughing by +her merry retorts. She was bright and capable, but disinclined for hard +work, and rather clever in shifting her share of it to other people's +shoulders.</p> + +<p>May Lewis, on the other hand, was a plain, straightforward sort of girl; +not dull, but a little diffident, and quite lacking in self-confidence. +Not especially quick-witted,—yet what she knew, she knew thoroughly, +and had no end of perseverance and persistence. She was of a most +unselfish and helpful disposition, and Lilian well knew that without +asking, May would assist her at her household tasks during the visit, +and would even do more than her share.</p> + +<p>Dorothy frankly explained to the girls what the household arrangements +were in the Dorrance Domain, and said, that since certain hours of the +day must be devoted to regular work by the Dorrance sisters, the guests +would at such times be thrown upon their own resources for +entertainment.</p> + +<p>"Not I!" cried Edith; "I shall help you, Dorothy, in everything you have +to do while I'm here. Indeed, I just think I'll do up your chores for +you, and let you take a rest. I'm sure you need one. Not that you look +so; I never saw you look so fat and rosy in your life; but you mustn't +work too hard just because you have company. You mustn't do a single +thing extra for us, will you?"</p> + +<p>"You mustn't dictate to your hostess, miss," returned Dorothy, gaily; +"and I hardly think you can assist me very much, for I look after the +cookery part, and I think you've given me to understand that you detest +cooking. Also, I most certainly shall do extra things while you're +here. It is my pleasure to entertain my guests properly," and Dorothy +smiled in her most grown-up manner.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious! Dorothy Dorrance, did your manners come with your +Domain, or where did you get that highfalutin air of yours?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was put on purposely to impress you with my importance," said +Dorothy, dimpling into a little girl again. "But truly, I must skip down +to the kitchen now, and see if my Parker House rolls are rising, rose or +having risen. No, you can't come, Edith; you'd spoil the rolls,—though +you'd do it in a most well-meaning way. Now you girls all go out, and +disport yourselves on the lawn, while I do my noble duty. Though I'm +free to confess I'm scared to death of that awe-inspiring mother-person +that Tessie has imported."</p> + +<p>"I think she'll be helpful," said May Lewis. "She came up with us you +know, and really she's wonderful. She looked after us all, and she's as +funny as a red wagon."</p> + +<p>"Red wagon!" exclaimed Edith; "she's nearer the size of a red +automobile, and she has the same kind of energy that automobiles are +said to have. I don't own one myself, so I don't know."</p> + +<p>"I don't own one either," said Dorothy, "so I don't know how to manage +one. But I suppose I must make a try at managing the bulky Kathleen,—so +I may as well start."</p> + +<p>The whole troop ran down the wide staircase, except Fairy, who slid down +the banister, and leaving the others in the hall, Dorothy ran away to +the kitchen.</p> + +<p>There she found Kathleen proceeding in a manner quite in accordance with +her appearance. She had assumed immediate and entire charge of the +supper preparations, and was ordering Tessie about in a good-natured, +but domineering way.</p> + +<p>"Lave me have a bit o' red pepper, darlint," she was saying, as Dorothy +came in; "this dhressin' is flat for the want of it. Ah, Miss Dorothy, +is that you, thin? an' I'm jist afther shlappin' together yer +salad-dhressin'. I obsarved the things all shtandin' ready an' I +whacked 'em up."</p> + +<p>"Why, that was very kind of you, Kathleen," said Dorothy; "it has helped +me a great deal. Where are my rolls, Tessie?"</p> + +<p>"They was risin' too fast, miss," said Kathleen, entirely ignoring her +daughter's presence, "an' I set 'em in the pantry forninst, to kape 'em +back."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Kathleen! you're a jewel. I was afraid those things would +get too light. Now, if you'll get them for me, I'll mould them over."</p> + +<p>"Shure, I moulded them over, miss. They're all ready to bake, an' it's +Kathleen as'll bake 'em for ye."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Dorothy, laughing, "there doesn't seem to be anything left +for me to do. Will you dress the salad, Kathleen?"</p> + +<p>"I will that, miss! Now don't bother yer purty head anny more about the +supper. Shure, it's Kathleen will attind to it all, intoirely. This +shcapegrace, Tessie, will show me where things do be, an' yez needn't +show so much as the tip av yer nose, until it's all on the table."</p> + +<p>"Kathleen, you're an angel in disguise, and not much disguised at that. +Now look here, I'm very practical, and if you're going to stay here a +week, we may as well understand each other from the start. I'd be +delighted to leave this supper entirely in your hands; but are you sure +that you can do everything satisfactorily? I'm rather particular, as +Tessie can tell you, and to-night, I want everything especially nice, +and well-served, in honor of my guests."</p> + +<p>"Now, there's talk for ye! You're the right kind of a lady to wurruk +for. But, ye need have niver a fear; Kathleen'll do iverything jist as +foine as yersilf or yer lady grandmother cud be afther desirin'."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Kathleen, I shall trust you with the whole affair then. You +can broil chickens, of course?"</p> + +<p>"To a turrn, miss." Kathleen's large face was so expressive as she said +this (and there was so much room on her face for expression), that +Dorothy felt no further doubts as to the chickens.</p> + +<p>She ran from the kitchen, laughing, and joined the group on the veranda.</p> + +<p>"I'm a lady of leisure," she announced gaily; "that large and altogether +delightful piece of architecture, called Kathleen, insists upon cooking +the supper, over which I had expected to spend a hard-working hour."</p> + +<p>"Jolly for Kathleen!" exclaimed Leicester, throwing his cap high in the +air, and catching it on his head; "I do hate to have Dot working for her +living, while we're all enjoying ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Jolly for Kathleen!" echoed Jack Harris; "the lady of magnificent +distances."</p> + +<p>And though Grandma Dorrance did not join audibly in the general hurrah, +she was no less glad that her pretty Dorothy was relieved from household +drudgery on that particularly merry occasion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>AN UNWELCOME LETTER</h3> + + +<p>The week at the Dorrance Domain passed all too quickly, in the opinion +of the happy young people.</p> + +<p>There was so much to do, and every day seemed to bring new pleasures. +The weather was of the most beautiful June variety, and the lake was as +smooth as glass and most pleasant to ride upon.</p> + +<p>One day they all went out in rowboats, and called themselves a regatta. +Another day, Captain Kane took them all for a sail in the <i>Mamie Mead</i>.</p> + +<p>But perhaps the nicest outing of all, was the day they had a picnic on +the floating bridge. They carried their luncheon, and camped out on the +bridge to eat it. Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to grant them permission +to do this, and brought them some fruit from his store as an addition to +their feast.</p> + +<p>"It's the strangest thing," said Edith Putnam, "to be on the land and on +the water at the same time. Here we are, sitting on what seems to be +good solid grass and earth; and yet if you dug a hole in it, you'd +strike the lake right away."</p> + +<p>"You'd strike logs first," corrected Jack Harris; "but if you bored +through the logs you'd come to the water."</p> + +<p>"It's perfectly lovely to feel the little swaying motion," said May +Lewis, who in her quiet way was greatly enjoying the novel experiences. +"I shall hate to go back to the city. How I envy you, Lilian, with a +whole summer of this before you."</p> + +<p>"But you're going away with your mother, next month, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but we'll be cooped up in one or two little rooms at some seashore +place; it is very different from having a whole hotel all to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Indeed it is," said Dorothy; "we certainly did the wisest thing when we +came up here this summer. And now that Kathleen is here, I have almost +nothing to do in the kitchen, and the rest of the housework that I do +have to look after is so light that I don't mind it a bit."</p> + +<p>"That's because you're so clever," said Edith, sighing; "you're +systematic and orderly, and have everything arranged just so. I don't +see how you do it. I should forget half the things, and get the other +half all mixed up."</p> + +<p>"I believe you would," said Dorothy, laughing. "And I did get somewhat +mixed up at first. But I learned by experience, and besides I was just +<i>determined</i> that I would succeed. Because I proposed the whole scheme, +and of course, I wanted it to be a success."</p> + +<p>"And it is a success," returned Edith; "and you have made it so. You +have lots of perseverance in your nature, Dorothy."</p> + +<p>"It's nice of you to call it by that name," said Dorothy; "but I think +it's just stubbornness. I've always been stubborn."</p> + +<p>"We all are," said Leicester; "it's a Dorrance trait. Grandmother hasn't +much of it, but Grandfather Dorrance was a most determined old +gentleman."</p> + +<p>"There's only one thing that's bothering me, about our good times," said +Dorothy. "And that is, that grandma can't enjoy them as much as we do. +She doesn't care about going in the boats, and she can't take the long +walks that we can."</p> + +<p>"It would be nice if you had a horse," said May; "then she could go for +a drive sometimes."</p> + +<p>"That would be lovely," agreed Dorothy; "but I know we couldn't afford +to buy a horse. We haven't very much money. That's the main reason we +came up here, because grandma said we couldn't afford to go to the +places we used to go to."</p> + +<p>"But you might hire a horse," suggested Jack; "you have a barn."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is a small barn," said Leicester. "I think it would be great +to hire a horse; that wouldn't cost much, Dot."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy, "I don't believe it would. But who'd take care of +the horse, and who'd drive grandma around?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I can drive," said Leicester, "or if grandma wouldn't trust me, +Mr. Hickox could drive her. He could take care of the horse, too."</p> + +<p>"It's a good idea," said Dorothy; "let's go and ask Mr. Hodges about it +now; he always knows about things of that sort."</p> + +<p>The whole crowd scrambled to their feet, and ran gaily towards Mr. +Hodges' place. They were not surprised, when he declared he had just the +thing for them. A fat, amiable old horse, who was well accustomed to the +steep mountain roads, and guaranteed perfectly safe; also a light +road-wagon that would hold four, and that was very easy and comfortable. +He would rent them this turn-out for ten dollars a week, and he declared +that they would find it most convenient; not only for pleasure drives, +but for going to market or other errands. Indeed, he said, that the +proprietor who had last tried to run the hotel, had engaged that horse +for the season.</p> + +<p>It struck Dorothy as a good plan; and being always quick at decisions, +she agreed then and there to take the horse and carriage for a week, +saying she felt sure that Grandma Dorrance would approve.</p> + +<p>Leicester said he would drive it home, and any of the girls who wished +to, could go with him, the rest going back in the boats. Dorothy said +she would go with him, as she wanted to tell grandma about it herself.</p> + +<p>As Fairy expressed a great desire to ride behind the new horse, she and +Gladys were tucked in the back seat, and they started off.</p> + +<p>Such a ride as it was. The hills were very steep, "perfectly +perpendickle," Fairy called them, and if the old horse had not known +just how to walk on the mountain roads, accidents might very easily have +happened.</p> + +<p>As it was they reached home safely, and drove up triumphantly to the +Dorrance Domain where grandma and Mrs. Thurston were sitting on the +veranda.</p> + +<p>As the children had surmised, grandma was delighted with the opportunity +to drive about, but said that she would feel safer if Mr. Hickox held +the reins.</p> + +<p>As Mr. Hickox was never very far away, he had observed the horse's +arrival, and came over to inquire into the matter.</p> + +<p>The explanation pleased him, and he said amiably, "Don't worry. +Hickox'll look after the horse; it'll be all right."</p> + +<p>So Grandma Dorrance arranged with Mr. Hickox, by an addition to the +payment they made him for his various services, to take care of the +horse, and to drive them whenever they might require him to. Then she +and Mrs. Thurston planned to go for a drive that very afternoon.</p> + +<p>As the Dorrance children were fond of all animals, the horse at once +became a great pet, and though the elder ladies never went out except +with Mr. Hickox, the young people went early and often, and both Dorothy +and Leicester soon learned to be good and careful drivers.</p> + +<p>With another diversion added to their catalogue of pleasures, the days +flew by faster than ever, and although the guests stayed a fortnight +instead of only a week, everybody was sorry when the day came for them +to depart.</p> + +<p>"It has been all pleasure," said Dorothy, "and not a bit of trouble; for +you all made yourselves so handy and helpful that it was just like one +big family."</p> + +<p>"It has been a great treat to me," said Mrs. Thurston. "I have enjoyed +every minute of it, and I have improved wonderfully in health and +strength. I think you are a wonder, Dorothy; not many girls of sixteen +have your powers of management. It is a gift, just as other talents are, +and you not only possess it, but you have appreciated and improved it."</p> + +<p>Dorothy blushed at Mrs. Thurston's kind praise, and inwardly resolved, +that since Mrs. Thurston considered her household capability a talent, +she certainly would endeavor to cultivate and improve it.</p> + +<p>So the guests all went away, except Kathleen.</p> + +<p>She begged so hard to be allowed to stay for a time longer, that Mrs. +Dorrance consented.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it isn't the wages I do be afther wantin', mum, but I likes to +shtay here, an' I'll do all the wurruk for me boord."</p> + +<p>This seemed a fair arrangement, as Kathleen really wanted to stay with +her daughter, and the Dorrances were very glad of the big woman's +services. She was an indefatigable worker, and really seemed to enjoy +all sorts of hard work. She would rise early in the morning, and wash +windows or scrub floors before breakfast time. She was so capable and +willing, that it seemed as if she fairly took charge of the entire +family; and she was so large and strong that no hard work baffled her, +and no exertion tired her.</p> + +<p>Although the Dorrances naturally missed their guests, yet when they were +alone again they were by no means lonely. They were a host in +themselves; the children were congenial and thought there was nobody +quite so nice as each other.</p> + +<p>The days went by happily, and each one only made them more glad that +they owned the Dorrance Domain and that they had come to live in it.</p> + +<p>It was the third week in June when Grandma Dorrance received a letter +from Mr. Lloyd, the contents of which were far from pleasant.</p> + +<p>She called the children together in the great parlor, which they had +come to use as a living-room, and her pale face quite frightened +Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, grannymother dear?" she said. "Has Mr. Lloyd found +some one who wants to rent the hotel, and must we vacate at once?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't mention such a calamity as that," cried Leicester; "if a man +came up here to rent this hotel I should tell him to march right +straight back again. The house is engaged for the season."</p> + +<p>"It's far worse than that, children dear," said grandma; "Mr. Lloyd +tells me in his letter that a great deal of repairing is necessary in +the Fifty-eighth Street house. This will cost a great deal of money, and +I have not enough to pay the bills."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance looked so pathetically helpless as she made this +admission, that Dorothy flew to her and kissed her, exclaiming, "Don't +worry, grandma dear, it must all come out right somehow, for you know we +are saving money this summer."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that, Dorothy; I'm afraid we've been rather +extravagant of late. Having so much company for a fortnight, was really +very expensive; and the horse is an added expense, and the two +servants,—and altogether I feel quite sure we have spent more money +than we could well afford."</p> + +<p>"I never once thought of it, grandma," said Dorothy; "I just ordered the +things that I thought it would be nice to have, and I didn't realize how +the bills would count up. Are they very big?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Mr. Hodges' bill is quite three times as +much as I had allowed for it; and I owe Mr. Hickox as much more. He has +done a great deal of work for us, you know, and of course he must be +paid."</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't it dreadful," said Lilian, "to have our lovely summer spoiled +by money troubles!"</p> + +<p>At this Fairy began to cry. The Dorrances didn't often cry, but when +they did, they did it quite as noisily as they did everything else; and +Fairy's manner of weeping, was to open her mouth as widely as possible +in a succession of loud wails, at the same time digging her fists into +her eyes.</p> + +<p>She presented such a ridiculous picture that the children couldn't help +laughing.</p> + +<p>"Do stop that hullaballoo, baby," implored Leicester, "or we'll be so +anxious to get rid of you that we'll offer you to Mr. Bill Hodges in +settlement of his account."</p> + +<p>Fairy was not seriously alarmed by this awful threat, but she stopped +crying, because she had suddenly thought of a way out of the difficulty.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you how we can get some money," she said earnestly; "sell the +horse!"</p> + +<p>The other children laughed at this, but Grandma Dorrance said gently, +"We can't do that, dear, for the horse isn't ours. We can't sell the +hotel, for nobody seems to want it; so I can't see any way by which we +can get any money except to sell the Fifty-eighth Street house."</p> + +<p>The children looked aghast at this, for it was their cherished dream +some day to return to the big city house to live. They didn't quite know +how this was to be accomplished, but they had always thought that when +Leicester began to earn money, or perhaps if Dorothy became an author, +they would be able to return to the old home.</p> + +<p>And so Grandma Dorrance's announcement fell on them like a sudden and +unexpected blighting of their hopes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>FINANCIAL PLANS</h3> + + +<p>Dorothy felt it the most. As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of +responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the +family fortunes, but just how she did not know. She well knew how +difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially +trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she +would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of +misfortune. And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not +ready for it. She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she +would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the +question.</p> + +<p>Leicester, on the other hand, took a more cheerful view of the +situation.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't believe we'll have to sell the house," he said. "It isn't +so bad as that, is it, grandma?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Leicester," said the old lady helplessly; "I never did +know much about business matters, and now I feel more confused than ever +when I try to straighten them out."</p> + +<p>"But if we could just get through this summer, grandmother, when we go +back to the city in the fall I feel sure I can get a position of some +kind and earn a salary that will help us all out."</p> + +<p>"You are a good boy, Leicester," said Mrs. Dorrance; "but it is very +uncertain about your getting a position; and too, I don't want you to +leave school yet."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," said Dorothy. "It wouldn't be right for Leicester to leave +school at fourteen; and anyway, I think he ought to go through college. +Now I am sixteen, and I have education enough for a girl. So I'm the one +to get a position of some kind in the fall, and earn money to help +along."</p> + +<p>"What could you do?" asked Lilian looking at her sister. She had ample +faith that Dorothy could do anything she wanted to, and was merely +anxious to know in which direction she would turn her talents.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Dorothy, very honestly; "skilled labor is the only +thing that counts nowadays, and I'm really not fitted for anything. I +would like best to write things; but I don't believe anybody would buy +them,—at least, not at first. So I suppose the only thing that I could +do would be to go into a store."</p> + +<p>"And sell candy?" asked Fairy, with a dawning interest in the plan.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk like that, Dorothy dear," said grandma, gently; "of course I +wouldn't let you go into a store, and also, I'm very much afraid that +your poetry wouldn't find a ready market. That may come later, but it +will probably be after years of apprenticeship."</p> + +<p>"Well, something must be done," said Dorothy decidedly; "and you can't +do it, grandma; so we children must. I think we are old enough now to +take the responsibility off of your shoulders; or at least to help you +in these troubles."</p> + +<p>"I wish you could, my dear child, but I fear there is no practical way +by which we can raise the money that I must have, except to sell the +city house. It seems like a great sacrifice for a small reason; for you +see if we just had money enough to pay our living expenses this summer, +I could manage, I think, to come out nearly even by fall. But there is +no way to provide for our living this summer, that I can see."</p> + +<p>"Now I'm getting a clearer understanding of the case," said Leicester; +"then if we children could earn money enough this summer to run the +Dorrance Domain, we'd come out all right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so, but how could you earn any?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Leicester, "but I've often read how other boys +earned money,—and country boys, too. We might pick huckleberries and +sell them, or we might raise a garden and sell things."</p> + +<p>"Who would you sell them to?" asked Lilian, who was always practical. +"Now I think a more sensible way would be to economize. Send away Tessie +and Kathleen both; and then get along with fewer good things to eat. You +know we've had everything just as we wanted it, and I'm sure we could +cut down our table expenses. Then we could give up the horse,—although +he is a dear——"</p> + +<p>At this Fairy's wails began again, for she was devotedly attached to old +Dobbin, the horse, and couldn't bear to think of parting with him.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Grandma Dorrance, "that we will have to ask Mr. Lloyd to +come up here and advise us; and then whatever he thinks best, we will +do."</p> + +<p>"Don't you have to pay Mr. Lloyd for his advice?" asked Dorothy, +suddenly struck by the thought of what seemed to her an unnecessary +expense.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance; "that is, I pay him for attending to all of +my business, and of course that includes his advice."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we couldn't get along without him," said Dorothy, sighing; +"but it does seem awful to pay him money that we need so much +ourselves."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dorrance had a happy faculty of deferring unpleasant things to some +future time; and not worrying about them meanwhile.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "I will write to Mr. Lloyd to-morrow, and ask him to +come up here; or if he can't come, to write me a letter advising me what +to do. And until he comes, or his letter comes, we can't do anything in +the matter, and there is no use worrying over it. I'd hate to discharge +the servants, for you girls couldn't get along without anybody to help; +and if we keep Tessie, Kathleen is no added expense, for her work well +pays for her board."</p> + +<p>This was not quite logical, but all were too miserable to notice it. For +once the Dorrances went up-stairs to their beds without any whoops or +hurrahs for Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>As they were going up the great staircase, Lilian offered another of her +practical, if not very attractive suggestions.</p> + +<p>"We could," she said, "shut up the Domain, and all go to board with Mrs. +Hickox for the rest of the summer. I'm sure she'd take us quite +cheaply."</p> + +<p>At this Leicester started the old Dorrance groan, which had not been +heard before since their arrival at Lake Ponetcong.</p> + +<p>They all joined in heartily, and groaned in concert, in loud, horrible +tones that echoed dismally through the long corridors.</p> + +<p>It was characteristic of their different natures that Grandma Dorrance +went to bed, and immediately fell asleep in spite of her anxiety about +her affairs; while Dorothy lay awake far into the night pondering over +the problem.</p> + +<p>She could form no plan, she was conscious only of a dogged determination +that she would somehow conquer the existing difficulties, and +triumphantly save the day.</p> + +<p>She thought of Lilian's practical suggestions, and though she admitted +them practical, she could not think them practicable. Surely there must +be some way other than boarding at Mrs. Hickox's, or living on bread and +tea.</p> + +<p>"At any rate," she thought to herself as she finally fell asleep, +"nothing will be done until Mr. Lloyd is heard from, and that will give +me at least two or three days to think of a plan."</p> + +<p>But try as she would, the next day and the next, no acceptable plan +would come into Dorothy's head.</p> + +<p>"We are the most helpless family!" she thought to herself, as she lay in +the hammock under the trees. "There is positively nothing that we can +do, that's of any use. But I will do something,—I <i>will</i>! I WILL!" and +by way of emphasizing her determination she kicked her heel right +through the hammock.</p> + +<p>The other children did not take it quite so seriously. They were +younger, and they had a hazy sort of an idea that money troubles always +adjusted themselves, and somehow got out of the way.</p> + +<p>Leicester and Dorothy talked matters over, for though younger, he +considered himself the man of the house, and felt a certain +responsibility for that reason. But he could no more think of a plan +than Dorothy could, and so he gave the problem up in despair, and +apparently Dorothy did also.</p> + +<p>However, even a serious trouble like this, was not sufficient to cast +down the Dorrances' spirits to any great extent.</p> + +<p>They went their ways about as usual; they rowed and fished and walked +and drove old Dobbin around, while their faces showed no sign of gloom +or depression. That was the Dorrance nature, to be happy in spite of +impending disaster.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lloyd's letter came, but instead of helping matters, it left them in +quite as much of a quandary as ever. He said that it would be impossible +to sell the town house during the summer season. That the repairs must +be made, or the tenants would not be willing to stay. He advised Mrs. +Dorrance to retrench her expenses in every possible way, and stated +further, that although the repairs must be made at once, it would not be +necessary to pay the bills immediately on their presentation.</p> + +<p>He said that although he would be glad to run up to see them in their +country home, he could not leave the city at present, but he might be +able to visit them later on.</p> + +<p>Altogether it was not a satisfactory letter, and Leicester expressed +open disapproval.</p> + +<p>"That's a nice thing," he said, "to tell us not to pay our bills! As if +we wanted to live with a lot of debts hanging over our heads!"</p> + +<p>"I think it's lucky that we don't have to pay them right off," said +Dorothy; "something may happen before we have to pay them."</p> + +<p>Dorothy had a decided touch of the Micawber element in her nature and +usually lived in the hope of something happening. And, to do her +justice, it often did.</p> + +<p>To the surprise of the others Fairy seemed very much impressed by the +gravity of the situation, and more than that she seemed to think that it +devolved on her to do something to relieve it. She walked over to Mrs. +Hickox's to make her usual Wednesday visit, and though she skipped along +as usual she was really thinking seriously.</p> + +<p>She found Mrs. Hickox sitting on a bench under a tree paring apples, and +Fairy sat down beside her.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm only twelve," she began, "but really I can do a great +many things; only the trouble is none of them seem to be remunerary."</p> + +<p>The two had become great friends, and though Mrs. Hickox was a lady of +uncertain affections, she had taken a great fancy to Fairy, and in her +queer way showed a real fondness for the child. She had also become +accustomed to Fairy's manner of plunging suddenly into a subject.</p> + +<p>"What is it you want to do now?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," said Fairy, "we've failed, or absconded, or something +like that; I don't know exactly all about it, but we're awful poor, and +we can't have anything more to eat. Some of us want to come to board +with you, and some of us don't. You see it's very complicrated."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it seems to be," said Mrs. Hickox; "but how did you get so poor +all of a sudden? I always said you were all crazy and now I begin to +believe it. Your grandmother——"</p> + +<p>"Don't you say a word against my grannymother!" cried Fairy, with +flashing eyes. "She's the loveliest, best and wisest lady in the whole +world. Only somehow she just happened to lose her money, and so of +course us children want to help her all we can, and I just don't happen +to know what to do to earn money, that's all. And I thought you might +know some way to tell me."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe there's anything a child of your age could do to earn +money," said Mrs. Hickox. "But now that I come to think of it, I did cut +out a clipping just the other day, telling how to earn a good salary at +home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be just the thing!" cried Fairy, dancing around in glee; +"I'd love to earn a big salary and stay right there at the Dorrance +Domain to do it. Do try to find it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox was in the habit of sticking away her clippings in various +queer places. She pulled out a bunch from behind the clock, and ran them +over; "How to Take Out Ink Stains," "How to Wash Clothes in Six +Minutes," "How to Protect an Iron Lawn Fence," "How to Stuff Birds, +Taught by Mail," "Sure Cure for Rheumatism," "Recipe for Soft Soap."</p> + +<p>None of these seemed to be what was wanted, so Mrs. Hickox hunted +through another bunch which she took out of an old and unused teapot.</p> + +<p>Fairy danced around with impatience while her hostess went through +several collections.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here it is," she said, at last, and then she read to the child a +most promissory advertisement which set forth a tempting description of +how any one might earn a large fortune by directing envelopes. The two +talked it over, and Fairy wrote for Mrs. Hickox a sample of her +penmanship, whereupon the lady at once declared that the scheme was +impossible. For she said nobody could read such writing as that, and if +they could, they wouldn't want to.</p> + +<p>Fairy's disappointment was quite in proportion to the vivid +anticipations she had held, and she was on the verge of one of her +volcanic crying spells, when Mr. Hickox came in.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, what's the trouble?" he said in his cheery way, and when +Fairy explained, he responded:</p> + +<p>"Well, well, little miss, don't you worry,—don't you worry one mite! +Hickox'll fix it. It'll be all right!"</p> + +<p>And so comforting was this assurance, and so sanguine was the Dorrance +temperament, that Fairy felt at once that everything was all right, and +dismissed the whole subject from her mind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>A SUDDEN DETERMINATION</h3> + + +<p>One afternoon, Dorothy sat on the front veranda, day-dreaming.</p> + +<p>It was difficult to say which was the front veranda,—the one that faced +the road, or the one that looked out on the lake. The house could be +considered to front either way.</p> + +<p>But Dorothy was on the veranda that faced the road, and it was a lovely +warm, hazy day, almost the last of June, and notwithstanding her +responsibilities, Dorothy was in a happy frame of mind.</p> + +<p>She watched with interest, a carriage that was coming along the road +towards her. It was nothing unusual in the way of a carriage, but there +was so little passing, that anything on four wheels was always +noticeable. This was a buggy, and contained a lady and gentleman who +seemed to be driving slowly and talking fast.</p> + +<p>To Dorothy's surprise, when they reached the entrance of the Dorrance +Domain, they turned in, and drove up towards the house.</p> + +<p>As they stopped in front of the steps, Dorothy rose to greet them; but +though courteous in manner, beyond bestowing a pleasant smile, they took +no notice of her. The gentleman got out first, then helped the lady out, +and after a blank look around for a moment, as if expecting somebody, he +threw his lines carelessly around the whip and escorted the lady into +the house.</p> + +<p>The doors were all open as usual, and Dorothy was so amazed to see them +walk past her, that she said nothing.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance was lying down in her room; the twins had gone out +rowing, and Fairy was down at the dock with Mr. Hickox, fishing.</p> + +<p>The two servants were far away in the kitchen, and so the strangers +walked through the great hall and out on the west veranda without seeing +anybody.</p> + +<p>Nonplussed, they returned to the office, and noted the unused look of +the desks and counters there.</p> + +<p>"Where do you suppose the clerk can be?" said the gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Let us ask that young girl on the veranda," said the lady, and together +they returned to where Dorothy was sitting.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," said the strange gentleman, "but can you tell me where I +may find the clerk of this hotel?"</p> + +<p>"There isn't any clerk," said Dorothy, smiling, as she rose to greet +them.</p> + +<p>"Then will you tell me where I can find the proprietor?"</p> + +<p>Like a flash, an inspiration came to Dorothy. She realized in an instant +that these people were looking for board; and equally quickly came the +thought that she might take them to board, and so earn some of the money +that she had been worrying about. It would certainly be no more +difficult to have boarders than visitors.</p> + +<p>And so, on the impulse of the moment, Dorothy replied:</p> + +<p>"I am the proprietor."</p> + +<p>"But I mean the proprietor of the hotel,—the owner of the place."</p> + +<p>"My grandmother is the owner of this hotel; and if anybody is proprietor +of it, I am. May I ask if you are looking for board?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are," said the lady, impulsively; "and if you are the +proprietor, I'm quite sure we want board at this hotel."</p> + +<p>"Will you sit down, and let us talk this matter over," said Dorothy, +offering them veranda chairs. "I would like to explain just how things +are."</p> + +<p>The strangers seated themselves, and looked at Dorothy with some +curiosity and a great deal of interest. It was certainly unusual to come +across a pretty girl of sixteen, who, in her ruffled lawn frock looked +quite like the typical guest of a summer hotel, and then to be calmly +told that she was the proprietor.</p> + +<p>Dorothy also looked with interest at her visitors. The man was tall and +large, of perhaps middle age; his face was kind and serious, but a smile +seemed to lurk in his deep blue eyes. The lady seemed to be younger, +and was very pretty and vivacious. She had curly brown hair, and her +brown eyes fairly danced with fun at the idea of Dorothy as a hotel +proprietor.</p> + +<p>"You see," said Dorothy, as they all sat down, "this hotel is my +grandmother's property; but as we couldn't rent it, we have all come +here to live for the summer. My grandmother is quite old, and not at all +strong, so the household management is entirely in my charge. I would be +very glad to take some boarders if I could satisfy them and make them +comfortable. I have never kept boarders, but," and here Dorothy's smile +brought out all her dimples, "I have entertained company successfully."</p> + +<p>"I should be delighted to come," exclaimed the lady, "if you are quite +sure you want us, and if your grandmother would not object."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, she would not object; the question is, whether I could make +your stay satisfactory to you. We have plenty of room; I could promise +you a good table and good service. But as there are no other guests, +you might be lonely."</p> + +<p>"We are not afraid of being lonely," said the gentleman, "for my wife +and I are not dependent on the society of other people. But let me +introduce myself before going further; I am Mr. James Faulkner, of New +York City. Mrs. Faulkner and myself have been staying over at the Horton +House, and that hotel is far too gay and noisy to suit our tastes. I'm a +scientific man, and like to spend much of my day in quiet study. Mrs. +Faulkner, too, likes to be away from society's demands, at least for a +season. Therefore I must confess your proposition sounds most +attractive, if the minor details can be arranged."</p> + +<p>"I am Dorothy Dorrance," Dorothy responded, by way of her own +introduction, "and my grandfather was Robert Hampton Dorrance. He has +been dead for two years, and he left us this hotel property, which as we +have been unable to rent, we decided to occupy. I would be glad to add +to our income, and if you think you could be comfortable here, might we +not try it for a week?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do let us try it," cried Mrs. Faulkner, eagerly; "do say yes, +James,—this is such a lovely spot, and this hotel is quite the most +attractive I have seen anywhere. Only fancy having no other guests but +ourselves! it would be ideal. Oh, we must certainly come! I will decide +it; we will come for a week at any rate."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear, you shall have your own way. May I ask your rates, +Miss Dorrance?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy hesitated. She felt very inexperienced, and while she was +fearful of over-charging, yet her practical instincts made her also +beware of undervaluing the accommodations she knew she could supply.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she said, frankly, "what I ought to charge you. But you +may have the best rooms in the house, and,"—here she smiled, +involuntarily,—"as many of them as you wish. We have a really superior +cook, and an experienced waitress. We have boats, and a horse and +carriage, which you may use when you care to. As I know nothing of +summer hotel charges, I would be glad if you would tell me what you +think would be right for you to pay."</p> + +<p>Dorothy's frank honesty, and her gentle refined courtesy made a most +favorable impression on Mr. Faulkner, and he responded cordially.</p> + +<p>"For what you offer, Miss Dorrance, I think it would be fair if we +should pay you the same as we are now paying over at the Horton House; +that is, fifteen dollars a week, each, for Mrs. Faulkner and myself."</p> + +<p>Dorothy considered a moment. She was a quick thinker, and she realized +that this amount of money would help considerably towards the living +expenses of the family. And the price could not be exorbitant since Mr. +Faulkner offered it himself.</p> + +<p>"That will be entirely satisfactory to me," she said, "and I shall hope, +on my part, to satisfy you. When would you like to come?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to come to-morrow," said Mrs. Faulkner. "I've stood the Horton +House just as long as I can. And our week is up to-morrow. But, excuse +me, my dear, aren't you very young for these responsibilities?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sixteen," said Dorothy, "and grandmother thinks my talents are of +the domestic order. But I could not undertake to have you here were it +not that our cook is not merely a cook, but a general manager and +all-round housekeeper. And now, Mrs. Faulkner, if you really think of +coming, wouldn't you like to select your rooms?"</p> + +<p>Just at this moment, Fairy came flying through the long hall at her +usual break-neck pace, and landed turbulently in the midst of the group.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy," she cried, "we caught fish, and fish, and fish!"</p> + +<p>"This is my sister Fairy," said Dorothy, "and I must explain, that when +I said it would be quiet here, I neglected to mention that there are +four of us children; and the truth is we are dreadfully noisy at times. +Fairy, dear, this is Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, who are perhaps coming to +board with us."</p> + +<p>With the pretty politeness that always underlay the boisterousness of +the Dorrances, Fairy put out her hand to the strangers, saying: "I'm +very glad to see you. Are you really coming to stay with us? You must +'scuse me for rushing out like that, and nearly knocking you over, but I +was so 'cited about my fish."</p> + +<p>Fairy always looked more than usually fairy-like when she was excited. +Her gold curls tumbled about her face, and the big white bow which +topped them stood at all sorts of flyaway angles. She poised herself on +one foot, and waved her hands dramatically as she talked.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner was charmed with the child, and being possessed of some +artistic ability, she privately resolved to make a sketch of Fairy at +the first opportunity.</p> + +<p>The two sisters escorted the guests through the hall, if Fairy's hop, +skip and jump could be called an escort, and Dorothy showed them the +lake view from the west piazza.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner was enthusiastic over this, and declared that nothing +would induce her to stay anywhere else but at the Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>Mr. Faulkner, too, was impressed by the beauty of the lake. It was +always most picturesque in the late afternoon, and just now the clouds, +lit up by the western sun, were especially beautiful. The lake itself +was not calm, but was covered with smooth little hills of water, which +here and there broke into white foam.</p> + +<p>Some distance out, a boat could be seen, containing two people.</p> + +<p>"That's my brother and sister," said Dorothy; "they are twins. They are +fourteen, and are perhaps the noisiest of us all. You see," she went on, +smiling, "I'm preparing you for the worst. Grandmother had great +difficulty with the New York boarding-house keepers, because they +thought the Dorrance children too lively. So I want you to be fully +warned that we do make a great deal of noise. Somehow we can't help it."</p> + +<p>"We don't yell so much as we used to," said Fairy, hopefully; "you see, +Mrs. Faulkner, when we used to be cooped up in a boarding-house we just +had to make an awful racket, 'cause we were so miserabubble. But here we +have room enough to scamper around, and so we don't holler so much."</p> + +<p>"I rather think we can survive your demonstrations of animal spirits," +said Mr. Faulkner, with his kindly smile. "It will be a pleasant relief +from the brass band which is the noise-producer over at the Horton +House."</p> + +<p>"We haven't any brass band," said Dorothy, suddenly realizing that they +lacked many things popularly supposed to belong to a summer hotel.</p> + +<p>"That's one reason why I want to come," said Mrs. Faulkner.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will decide to come," said Dorothy; "and now, if you will +excuse me a minute, I think I will ask my grandmother to come down and +sanction our plan."</p> + +<p>Leaving the strangers to be entertained by Fairy, Dorothy ran up to her +grandmother's room and tapped at the door.</p> + +<p>A few moments served to explain matters to Mrs. Dorrance, and though a +little bewildered by Dorothy's sudden proposal, she thought the plan a +good one, and went down prepared to give the strangers a cordial +reception.</p> + +<p>The Faulkners were much pleased with the gentle, gracious old lady, and +Mrs. Dorrance decided at a glance that the newcomers were sensible and +kindly people.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A DARING SCHEME</h3> + + +<p>The more they talked over the matter the more it seemed a sensible and +feasible plan for all concerned. Mrs. Dorrance felt sure that with their +two capable servants, and Mr. Hickox's varied usefulness, two boarders +would make no more responsibility for Dorothy than her five guests had.</p> + +<p>It was therefore decided to try the plan for a week, and if both sides +were satisfied, to continue for the season.</p> + +<p>Then Dorothy took the strangers up to select their rooms, and Mrs. +Faulkner was as delighted at the idea of choosing from so many empty +rooms, as the Dorrances had been on the night of their own arrival.</p> + +<p>Agreeing to return the next day with their luggage, the Faulkners drove +away, leaving the Dorrances in a high state of delighted excitement.</p> + +<p>"You see," said Dorothy to her grandmother, "something <i>has</i> happened. I +felt sure it would, though of course, I had no idea it would be the +Faulkners. But thirty dollars a week will help a lot, and I'm sure we +can make them have a good time. They're lovely people,—you can see that +at a glance. Mrs. Faulkner is so sweet, I think I'd be willing to pay +her just to sit around and smile at me."</p> + +<p>"Instead of her paying you to let her do it," said grandma. "But it is a +good plan, Dorothy; for now we can afford to keep Kathleen, and pay her +fair wages, which I did not otherwise feel justified in doing."</p> + +<p>"And Kathleen is a whole army of servants, all in one," said Dorothy. +"She'll be delighted at the idea of staying with us. I'll go and tell +her about it now."</p> + +<p>"I'll go, too," cried Fairy. "I want to hear her talk."</p> + +<p>Out to the kitchen the two girls ran and noisily burst in upon Tessie +and her mother.</p> + +<p>The two Irish women were feeling rather blue, for Mrs. Dorrance had told +them that she could not afford to let them both stay with her, and she +was not sure that she ought to keep even Tessie.</p> + +<p>"Arrah thin, darlints, yez'll be afther breakin' down the dures! Why +musht ye always come so shlam-bang?"</p> + +<p>"We can't help it, Kathleen," cried Dorothy; "we're just made so, I +guess. But this time we've something to tell you,—something important."</p> + +<p>"Im-porrtant, is it? Sorra a good thing cud yez tell me, ixcipt that yer +lady grandmother wud be afther lettin' me shtay here wid yez. Me an' +Tessie is afther grievin' sore at thoughts of lavin' yez."</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Kathleen," screamed Fairy, who in her excitement and +enthusiasm was scrambling up Kathleen's broad back. It was a favorite +trick of Fairy's to clamber up and perch herself on the big woman's +shoulder, and the good-natured giantess assisted her with sundry +pushings and pullings.</p> + +<p>"That's jist it, is it? Well thin yez naden't be afther tellin' me anny +more. Yez can kape the rist of yer importance to yersilves. If we can +shtay up here, me and Tessie, we'll wurruk our finger ends off fer ye, +wid no wages but a bite an' a sup."</p> + +<p>"No, that won't do, Kathleen. Now just listen; we want to engage you as +cook, and Tessie as waitress for the Dorrance Domain. It has become a +hotel,—a regular summer hotel, and the boarders will arrive to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"For the love of all the saints, miss! Is it boorders yez'll be afther +takin'? Shure, an' that's foine. And it's Kathleen as 'll cook fer yez. +An' Tessie, you young rascal, see to it that you wait on the table jist +grand! Do there be manny a-comin', miss?"</p> + +<p>"Two," replied Dorothy; "and they're lovely people."</p> + +<p>"Yes, lovely people," cried Fairy, who, still on Kathleen's shoulder, +was emphasizing her remarks by pounding Kathleen with her little fists; +"one is a great, big, lovely gentleman, with big, blue eyes, and +grayish-blackish hair. That's Mr. Faulkner. And his wife's a beautiful +little lady, who smiles, and smiles, and smiles. Oh, they're scrumptious +people, and I expect they will stay all summer. Oh, Dorothy, the twins +are coming! let's go and tell them!"</p> + +<p>Fairy sprang from Kathleen's shoulder to the table, and from there +bounded to the floor, and grasping Dorothy's hand, the two ran away to +tell the news, and met the twins on the veranda.</p> + +<p>Lilian and Leicester were as glad as the rest to learn of the advent of +the Faulkners, and at once began to make plans for the comfort and +entertainment of their boarders.</p> + +<p>"I shall take Mr. Faulkner out fishing," said Leicester, "and show him +all the best spots to fish."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he'll care much for fishing," said Mrs. Dorrance. "He +seems to me to be so interested in his scientific work, that I imagine +he spends little time in recreation. I think that you'll all have to try +to be a little quieter than usual, especially in the house."</p> + +<p>"We will, granny dear," said Lilian; "if we're going to keep boarders, +we're going to do it properly; I guess the Dorrances know when they can +cut up jinks, and when they can't."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it funny, though," said Leicester, "to think of our living in +this hotel because nobody would rent it <i>as</i> a hotel, and now here we +are, running a hotel ourselves. I'm going to get out the big register, +and clean up that inkstand thing, and have the office all in +working-order for them to register when they come to-morrow. Dorothy, +you can be proprietor, but I'll be the clerk; and then after they +register, I'll ring the bell for a bell-boy. And then I'll be the +bell-boy. And then I'll send myself for a porter, and Mr. Hickox'll be +the porter. Oh, it'll be great!"</p> + +<p>"Shall we eat in the big dining-room?" asked Lilian. "It seems as if it +would be more like a hotel."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said grandma; "that immense room is too large for seven +people. The Faulkners seem very congenial, and I can't help thinking +they would prefer to sit at the round table with us. However, they +might prefer a table to themselves; so I think the best plan is to wait +until they arrive, and ask them. In such matters we should be glad to +meet their wishes."</p> + +<p>"I shall keep most systematic accounts," said Dorothy; "and then I can +tell just how much we make by having boarders. There are lots of blank +books in the office, and I shall keep exact lists of everything I buy +this week, and then see how it balances up at the end of seven days."</p> + +<p>"If you expect to make any money out of this scheme," said Leicester, +"you mustn't feed us all on the fat of the land, as you did when those +people were visiting here."</p> + +<p>"No," said grandma; "you can't do it, Dorothy. It is very pleasant to +set dainty and tempting dishes before one's guests; but when it comes to +a practical business arrangement it is necessary to be careful in such +matters. I don't want you to be over-economical, but on the other hand +you cannot afford to be extravagant."</p> + +<p>"If you're going to be a boarding-house keeper, Dot," said Lilian, "you +must set a table exactly like Mrs. Cooper's!"</p> + +<p>At this speech, Leicester started the famous Dorrance groan, and its +wails reached the ears of Mr. Hickox, who was sauntering near by in his +aimless, wandering fashion.</p> + +<p>"Thought I'd just come over and see what you're yowling about," he said +pleasantly; "those screeches are enough to kill all the fish in the +lake!"</p> + +<p>"Come in, Mr. Hickox," cried Leicester; "we have a grand plan on hand, +and as usual we shall want your help."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Mr. Hickox, "as usual. Hickox'll make it all right. +What's up now?"</p> + +<p>"We expect boarders to-morrow; and when they come, we want you to be on +hand to look after their trunks and things. The Dorrance Domain has +suddenly turned back into a hotel. Dorothy is proprietor, I'm clerk, and +you're to be the porter."</p> + +<p>"What am I?" said Lilian; "I want a regular position."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can be the elevator boy, or the carriage-door opener, +whichever you like," said her brother.</p> + +<p>"As we haven't any elevator, and our carriage hasn't any door, I won't +be over-worked."</p> + +<p>"We girls will all have to be upper servants," said Dorothy; "with so +much extra work in the kitchen, we'll have to help a great deal as +parlor-maids, and chambermaids, and dining-room maids."</p> + +<p>"I'll sweep all the verandas every day," announced Fairy; "I do just +love to fly around with that funny big broom-brush."</p> + +<p>"Well, Hickox is yours to command," declared that genial gentleman; +"whatever you want Hickory Hickox to do, that's as good as done! +Excepting, of course, such various times as I might be otherwise +employed. But I'll be porter all right, and I'll port them people's +trunks right up to their rooms so fast, they'll think I'm an elevator. +My! Mrs. Hickox, she'll be surprised to hear you people are going to +have boarders! I must say, I'm some surprised myself. Well I must +shuffle along now, and I'll be on deck when you want me to-morrow. +Hickox will look after things. It'll be all right."</p> + +<p>After the ungainly figure had shuffled away, the children still +continued to make plans and offer suggestions for the new arrangement.</p> + +<p>"We must be very methodical," said Dorothy, who was much in earnest in +the matter, and who wanted to start out just right. "Mrs. Faulkner is so +nice and sweet, I want to please her; and, too, if the Dorrances run a +hotel, I want it to be run on the most approved plan."</p> + +<p>"We'll each have an account book," said Fairy; "and I'll put down in +mine, how many times I sweep the verandas each day."</p> + +<p>"If you get around them all in one day, baby," said Leicester, "you'll +do mighty well; and to do that, you'll have to get to work at daybreak +and stick to it till sundown. There's an awful big number of square feet +of veranda attached to this palatial mansion, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pooh!" cried Fairy. "It won't take me all day, at all. I can fly +around it in a minute. I'll work like a centripepede!"</p> + +<p>"We'll keep the horse for this week, anyway," went on Dorothy; "for I +shall have to go to market every morning, and it's so much quicker to go +in the carriage than the boat. Sometimes you can go for me, Less, if I +make out an exact list of what I want."</p> + +<p>"All right," said her brother; "I don't think this keeping boarders is +going to be such hard work after all. I wonder we didn't think of it +sooner."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad we didn't," said Dorothy; "I think it was nicer to have a few +weeks all by ourselves, first. We've got to behave when the Faulkners +get here. It will be just like it was at Mrs. Cooper's, you know."</p> + +<p>This time Fairy started the groan, and again they all chimed in with +those deep growling wails that always made Mrs. Dorrance clap her hands +to her ears.</p> + +<p>"For pity's sake!" exclaimed the long-suffering old lady; "don't make +any reference to Mrs. Cooper while the Faulkners are here; for if they +heard those fearful groans of yours, they'd leave at once."</p> + +<p>"What's Mr. Faulkner like?" asked Leicester; "will he say, 'well, my +little man,' to me?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy, laughing at the remembrance; "Mr. Faulkner is an +awful nice man. Not very young, and not very old."</p> + +<p>"Like Jack Sprat's pig?" asked Leicester; "not very little and not very +big."</p> + +<p>"He isn't like anybody's pig!" said Fairy, indignantly. "He's a +gentiliferous gentleman. I'm going to ask him to go to Mrs. Hickox's +with me. He's scientiferic, and I know he'd like to read her newspaper +clippings."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't ask him to go just at first, Fairy," said grandma; "wait +until you get better acquainted."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow? I'll take him to see the rabbits; he's sure to love them, +they're such cunning, pudgy-wudgy little things."</p> + +<p>"And I'm sure he will like Dare," said Lilian, patting the head of the +big dog who lay at her feet.</p> + +<p>"Such nice people as they seem to be, will surely like animals," said +grandma; "but if they should not, then you must be very careful that +they are not annoyed by them. Dare will learn for himself whether he is +liked or not; but if Mrs. Faulkner doesn't care for kittens you must +keep Mike out from under foot."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe she'll care for kittens, so I'll take this one and +drown it now," said Leicester, picking up the ball of fluffy Maltese +fur, and starting towards the lake.</p> + +<p>Fairy ran after him, screaming in pretended anguish, though she well +knew her brother was only joking, being almost as fond of the kitten as +she was herself.</p> + +<p>The other two girls followed, and Dare followed them, and a general game +of romps ensued.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance watched them from the veranda, feeling glad for the +thousandth time that her dear ones were in their own home, where they +could follow their own sweet will, without causing annoyance to any +one.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>REGISTERED GUESTS</h3> + + +<p>The next day, true to her word, Dorothy made preparations for methodical +and systematic hotel management.</p> + +<p>"They may not stay more than a week; probably they won't," she said; +"but I don't want them to leave because the Dorrance Domain isn't run +properly as a summer hotel."</p> + +<p>The children had looked upon the whole affair as a great joke; but +seeing that there was a certain underlying current of seriousness in +Dorothy's attitude, they began to think that it was a business venture +after all.</p> + +<p>"Shall we really ask them to register, Dot?" inquired Leicester, who +didn't know quite how far the playing at hotel was to be carried.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy; "there is no reason why not; it can certainly do +no harm, and it makes everything seem more shipshape. Have nice fresh +pens, ink and blotters, and put down the date and the number of their +rooms when Mr. Faulkner signs. Don't laugh about it, but don't put on +airs either; just be polite and businesslike."</p> + +<p>"My, Dot, but you're a wonder!" exclaimed Leicester, looking at his +sister with admiration. "Where did you learn all these things? Nobody +ever registered at Mrs. Cooper's."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy; "but that was a city boarding-house; an altogether +different affair from a country summer hotel. It may be foolish, but I +want to try to treat the Faulkners just as they would be treated in any +nice summer hotel."</p> + +<p>"It isn't foolish at all," spoke up Lilian; "it's just the right way to +do, and we'll all help. We must send a pitcher of ice-water to their +room every night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Dorothy, in dismay; "why, +we haven't any ice."</p> + +<p>"No," said Leicester, "but fresh-drawn water from that deep well is +just as cold as any ice-water. I'll make that one of my duties; I'm a +bell-boy, you know."</p> + +<p>"Another thing," went on Lilian, in her practical way, "is the mail-box +in the office. We must tell the Faulkners to put their letters in there, +and they will be collected twice a day, and taken over to Woodville and +mailed."</p> + +<p>"Lilian, you're a trump!" cried Dorothy; "tell us more things like +that,—that's just what I mean. But we can't go to Woodville twice a +day!"</p> + +<p>"I think once a day will be enough," said Leicester; "we'll take the +contents of the mail-box every morning when we go over for the +marketing."</p> + +<p>"I shall write to Gladys Miller every day," said Fairy; "so you'll +always have something to take; maybe the Faulkners don't have so very +much corresponderence."</p> + +<p>All four of the children went to market that morning. Leicester drove +them over, and so much chattering and planning did they do on the way, +that the two miles distance seemed very short.</p> + +<p>Dorothy felt the responsibility of ordering just the right things for +her table. She realized that she must begin on just the same scale on +which she expected to continue through the week. She must not be too +lavish, for since her aim now was to earn money, she must be fair and +just, rather than generous.</p> + +<p>Always sensible and capable, Dorothy seemed suddenly possessed of a new +sort of self-reliance; and the responsibility which she had voluntarily +and gladly accepted, seemed to bring with it the executive ability which +promised success.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to hear the news of boarders at the +Dorrance Domain. He possessed that trait, not altogether unusual in +storekeepers, of desiring to sell his wares. During the fortnight that +the Dorrances had entertained company, he had reaped a golden harvest, +and, as since then Dorothy's demand on his stock had been much more +modest, he now rejoiced in the anticipation of further extravagant +orders.</p> + +<p>He was greatly surprised then, when Dorothy, instead of lavishly +purchasing whatever struck her fancy, regardless of its price, began to +inquire the cost of things, and showed a decided leaning towards thrift +and economy.</p> + +<p>"Ain't goin' to starve them folks, be you?" he asked, as Dorothy +hesitated between the relative merits of lettuce and tomatoes.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," said Dorothy, politely, for she knew Mr. Bill Hodges +pretty well by this time, and so did not resent what she knew was not +meant as a rudeness. "When our house was last run as a hotel, did they +buy their provisions from you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am, they did;" and a shade more of respectful deference crept +into the voice and manner of Mr. Bill Hodges, as he instinctively +realized the touch of added dignity in Dorothy's demeanor. "Mr. Perkins, +he used to do the marketin', and gracious snakes! but he calc'lated +close. He give his boarders just enough to keep them alive and no more."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't want to be quite so mean as that," said Dorothy; "but on +the other hand, I can't afford to treat my boarders quite as I would +like to entertain my guests."</p> + +<p>"That's right, that's right!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges, whose own +shrewd business mind readily recognized similar qualities in another. +"That's right; treat 'em good, but not too good."</p> + +<p>This phrase fastened itself in Dorothy's mind, and she determined to +take for her line of action all that was expressed in Mr. Bill Hodges' +homely phrase, "Treat'em good, but not too good."</p> + +<p>Their purchases satisfactorily completed, the children jogged back home +over the rough, steep hill, and even old Dobbin seemed to realize that +he was now part of the establishment of a first-class summer hotel.</p> + +<p>That afternoon the Faulkners arrived.</p> + +<p>Everything was in readiness, and perhaps no hotel proprietor ever took +greater pride in the general appearance of his hostelry, than did +Dorothy Dorrance, as, arrayed in a fresh white muslin, she stood on the +east veranda watching a lumbering stage drawing nearer and nearer to the +Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>And surely no typical hotel clerk, even though decorated with the +traditional diamond pin, could show a more faultless array of +official-looking desk-furnishings.</p> + +<p>The Horton House stage rolled slowly up the driveway, and stopped at the +main entrance. Mr. Hickox was on hand to open the stage door, and look +after the hand luggage.</p> + +<p>With an instinctive grasping of the situation, both Mr. and Mrs. +Faulkner appreciated Dorothy's frame of mind, and acted precisely as if +they were entering a hotel run on regulation lines.</p> + +<p>As Dorothy led the way to the office, Mrs. Faulkner looked at her +curiously. It was strange to see a girl, so young and pretty, so +graceful and well-bred, yet possessed of a certain quality which could +only be designated by the term, "business instinct." She marveled at +Dorothy's poise, which, however, showed no trace of awkwardness or +pertness.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner was fond of character study, and felt convinced at once +that she would greatly enjoy a better acquaintance with Dorothy +Dorrance.</p> + +<p>At the office, Leicester showed the newcomers the same quiet, polite +courtesy. The boy had a frank, straightforward air that always impressed +strangers pleasantly. He turned the register around towards Mr. +Faulkner, and offered him an already-inked pen, with an air of being +quite accustomed to registering guests.</p> + +<p>But Leicester's sense of humor was strong, and the absurdity of the +whole thing struck him so forcibly, that it was with great difficulty he +refrained from laughing outright. Had he glanced at Dorothy, he +certainly would have done so; but the two were fully determined to play +their part properly, and they succeeded.</p> + +<p>Nor was Mr. Faulkner to be outdone in the matter of correct deportment. +He gravely took the pen offered to him, signed the register in the place +indicated, and inquired if they might go at once to their rooms.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Leicester, touching the bell on the desk. The +ubiquitous Hickox appeared with the hand-bags, and Leicester handed him +the keys.</p> + +<p>This touch nearly finished Dorothy, for numbered keys seemed so very +like a real hotel, that it struck her as quite the funniest thing yet.</p> + +<p>As the Faulkners, following Mr. Hickox, went up the great staircase and +disappeared around the corner, Leicester flew out from behind his desk, +grasped Dorothy's hand, and fleetly, though silently, the two ran +through the long parlor to one of the smaller rooms, shut the door, and +then burst into peals of laughter.</p> + +<p>For a moment they would pause, begin to speak to each other, and then go +off again into choking spasms of hilarity.</p> + +<p>Had they only known it, their two guests on the floor above, were doing +almost the same thing. Mrs. Faulkner had thrown herself into an easy +chair, and was laughing until the tears rolled down her cheeks. Mr. +Faulkner, who was by nature a grave gentleman, was walking up and down +the room, broadly smiling, and saying, "Well upon my word! well upon my +word!"</p> + +<p>Before Dorothy and Leicester had recovered their equilibrium, the two +younger girls came rushing into the room where they were.</p> + +<p>"Did they come? Are they here? What is the matter? Do tell us all about +it!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy, in her idea of the fitness of things had asked Lilian and Fairy +to keep out of sight until after the arrival and registration had been +safely accomplished; grandma, it had also been thought best, was not to +appear until dinner-time. As Dorothy had expressed it, she knew the +proper propriety for a proprietor, and she proposed to live up to it.</p> + +<p>But of course when Fairy and Lilian, on the west veranda, heard the +commotion in the small parlor, they could restrain their curiosity no +longer, and insisted on being told all about it.</p> + +<p>So Dorothy and Leicester calmed down a little, and assured them that the +whole thing had passed off beautifully; that the arrival had been a +howling success, and that Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner were now established +boarders at the Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>Then Dorothy went out to the kitchen to superintend carefully the +preparations for dinner. She had decided that since the Dorrance Domain +had become a hotel, it was proper to have dinner at night, and luncheon +in the middle of the day.</p> + +<p>Once over the comical farce of registering, the advent of the Faulkners +took on an aspect not entirely humorous, and Dorothy's sense of serious +responsibility came back to her. Kathleen, too, with her native Irish +wit realized the gravity of the occasion, and went about her duties in a +steady, capable way that greatly helped to reassure Dorothy.</p> + +<p>And indeed, matters seemed to be progressing most smoothly. The dinner +was well under way, and the table daintily set.</p> + +<p>Fairy had brought flowers from Mrs. Hickox's garden, and she and Lilian +had decorated the table and the dining-room. Dorothy had concluded that +they would all sit together at the round table that night, and then if +the Faulkners preferred a table to themselves, it could be arranged +later.</p> + +<p>After a careful supervision, Dorothy left the dinner in charge of her +really competent cook and waitress, and went back to the family. She +found them all on the west veranda, where they usually congregated at +sunset time.</p> + +<p>With them were the Faulkners; and in a pretty summer house-gown, Mrs. +Faulkner looked so sweet and dainty, that Dorothy felt more than ever +attracted to her. Mr. Faulkner was engaged in a pleasant conversation +with Grandma Dorrance; and Dorothy suddenly felt that to be the +proprietor of a summer hotel was just the nicest thing a girl could do.</p> + +<p>"You've no idea," Mrs. Faulkner was saying, as Dorothy came out, "what a +delightful change this is from the noise and glitter of the Horton +House. This lovely great veranda, and the beautiful view of the lake, +with no inharmonious elements, makes me feel glad I'm alive."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you are alive, too," said Dorothy, smiling at the lady; "and +I'm glad you live here."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>AMBITIONS</h3> + + +<p>It was truly astonishing, even to Dorothy, how easily the machinery of a +big hotel could be made to move along. The Dorrances all agreed that the +Faulkners were no trouble at all, and that their presence in the +Dorrance Domain added greatly to the happiness of all concerned. +Doubtless the explanation of this lay in several different facts. To +begin with, the Faulkners were most charming people; refined, tactful, +and kind-hearted. It was their nature to make as little trouble as +possible, wherever they might be.</p> + +<p>On the other side, Dorothy's determination to succeed in her enterprise, +grew with what it fed upon, and she became day by day more capable +through experience. Also, she was ably assisted by Leicester and the +girls, who were always ready to do anything she wished them to. Then, +the servants were certainly treasures, and as Dorothy said, it would be +a perfect idiot of a hotel proprietor who couldn't succeed under such +advantages as she had.</p> + +<p>With her success her ambitions grew.</p> + +<p>Again sitting on the east veranda, one afternoon, she found herself +wishing that another buggy would drive up and deposit two more such +people as the Faulkners at her hotel office. If she could succeed with +two, why not with four, or even six?</p> + +<p>Indeed, in her imagination she saw a long procession of buggies bringing +eager guests to the hospitality of the Dorrance Domain.</p> + +<p>Acting on an impulse, she went in search of Mrs. Faulkner, and found +that lady just coming down-stairs, dressed for afternoon, and quite +ready for a chat.</p> + +<p>So Dorothy carried her off to one of her favorite nooks which was a +little vine-clad arbor on the east lawn.</p> + +<p>This proprietor and guest had become firm friends in the few days they +had been together. Dorothy admired Mrs. Faulkner's lovely gracious +disposition, and her clever cultivated mind. Mrs. Faulkner saw great +possibilities in Dorothy's character and took a sincere interest in the +girl. Aside from this there was that subtle, inexplicable bond of +sympathetic congeniality, which makes a real friendship possible.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk to you seriously," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I'm all attention," said Mrs. Faulkner; "proceed with your +seriousness."</p> + +<p>"You and Mr. Faulkner have been here a week to-morrow," Dorothy went on, +"and——"</p> + +<p>"And you can't stand us any longer,—and you want to break it to me +gently?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, nothing of the sort! and you know that well. But I want to +ask you frankly, and I want you to tell me honestly, how I have +succeeded this week in what I have undertaken."</p> + +<p>"What have you undertaken?" said Mrs. Faulkner, who dearly loved to make +Dorothy formulate her thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Why, I undertook to give you and Mr. Faulkner, in a general way, and so +far as I could, just such comforts and accommodations as you would get +at the average summer hotel."</p> + +<p>"Is that all you tried to do?"</p> + +<p>"I think," said Dorothy, speaking slowly, and thinking hard, "I think I +tried to give you a little bit extra, in the way of home comforts and +dainty service, to make up for the things that the average summer hotel +provides, but which I can't give you."</p> + +<p>"Like a brass band, for instance."</p> + +<p>"Yes, a brass band, and a great array of bell-boys and porters, and +Saturday night hops, and,—lots of things like that."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Faulkner, "to tell you the truth, I don't care two +straws for brass bands, or Saturday night hops; and Mr. Faulkner doesn't +either. We are both charmed with this place, and we are both absolutely +happy and comfortable. So, if you are willing, we are quite ready to +prolong our stay indefinitely. Mr. Faulkner enjoys the quiet and freedom +from interruption, while he is pursuing his scientific studies. And as +for myself, I want to get well rested this summer, for during the +winter, my city life is very full of gayety and excitement."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad you are satisfied," said Dorothy, earnestly; "for this was +an experiment, and I was so anxious it should succeed. Of course, on my +side it is more than satisfactory. You and Mr. Faulkner are ideal +boarders; you make no trouble at all, and you have helped me in lots of +ways by your advice and suggestions. Now I want to ask your advice some +more. You know what I can do,—you know the house, and all,—do you +think, if I could get them, I could take two or three more boarders?"</p> + +<p>"Do <i>you</i> think you could?" asked Mrs. Faulkner, smiling at Dorothy's +eager face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so; but sometimes, you know, I'm apt to overrate my own +ability. I could do the work all right,—or have it done,—but I'm not +sure whether I could manage to satisfy people who might not be so lovely +and amiable as you and Mr. Faulkner are. And another thing, I wouldn't +want any more boarders if it would bother or annoy you two the least +mite."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think you would like to have more?"</p> + +<p>"Because, Mrs. Faulkner, I want to earn more money. Grandmother is +bothered with her financial affairs, and if we children could help her +any, we'd all be so glad. You see we are an awful expense to her; but +soon, I hope we'll be old enough to earn money for her instead. Now of +course to have two boarders is a good help towards the living expenses +of our own family; and I've counted up, and I think if I could have +four, it would almost entirely pay our running account. And if I had +six, I think we might begin to save money. Oh, Mrs. Faulkner, do you +think we could do it?"</p> + +<p>"Where would you get these boarders?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; but I thought I would ask you first, and see if you +objected to having other people here. And then, if you didn't, I thought +perhaps I'd write to some of my friends in the city, and see if any of +them wanted to come up for a few weeks."</p> + +<p>"You are a brave little girl, Dorothy," said Mrs. Faulkner, looking into +the eager anxious eyes upturned to hers; "and I must tell you how much +I appreciate your love for your grandmother, and your courage and pluck +in taking up this burden of the family fortunes. I have watched you +through the week, and I have noticed your many little self-denials and +your unfailing patience and perseverance. <i>I</i> know who walked over to +Woodport and back yesterday in the hot sun, in order that I might have +cream for my peaches last night at dinner."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how did you know?" cried Dorothy, blushing at her friend's praise; +"but there was really nobody to send,—the children had been on several +errands,—and so I just went myself."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it; and that is only one instance that shows your +determination to have things right. And with that plucky perseverance of +yours, and with your pleasant house, and good helpers, I see no reason +why you shouldn't take a few more boarders if you can get the right +kind. Of course it wouldn't annoy Mr. Faulkner nor myself to have some +other people here; and even if it did, we would have no right or wish +to stand in your way. When you reach the stage of brass bands, and +Saturday hops, that will be time for us to leave you, and push on into +the wilderness."</p> + +<p>"You needn't begin to pack your things to-day," said Dorothy, smiling, +"as it isn't at all likely I can persuade anybody to come,—let alone a +brass band."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I present you with two more guests," said Mrs. Faulkner.</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried Dorothy, "do you know of anybody? Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"You may not like them altogether. They are two ladies who are now over +at the Horton House. They are not enjoying it there, and they asked me +to let them know if I found any place which I thought they would like. +I'm sure they would like it here, and I know they would be glad to come; +but, to be honest about it, they are a little fussy in some ways. They +are spinsters, from Boston, and though they are refined and well-bred +ladies, they are sometimes a little exacting in their requirements."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind what their requirements were, if I could meet them to +their satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"You mustn't take that stand too strictly, Dorothy dear; it is well to +try to give your guests satisfaction, but some requirements are +unreasonable, and it is a mistake to grant them. If these ladies come, +you must exercise your judgment in your treatment of them, for they're +the kind who are quite likely to impose on your good nature."</p> + +<p>"Do you think they would come? How can I find out about them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm sure they would come; and if you wish me to, I will write to +them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you; I wish you would, please; that is, after I have spoken +to grandma, and to the other children about it. What are their names?"</p> + +<p>"Van Arsdale. Miss Marcia and Miss Amanda. They are quite as imposing as +their names sound; but you need not be really afraid of them. Remember +the Faulkners will always protect you from their ferocity."</p> + +<p>Dorothy laughed; and kissing her good friend, ran away to find the +other children. Having gathered them together, they all went up to +Grandma Dorrance's room for a caucus.</p> + +<p>"It's a new plan!" exclaimed Dorothy, perching herself on grandma's +bureau. As a rule, the more excited the Dorrances were, the higher seats +they selected. At present the twins were sitting on the headboard of the +bed, and Fairy was making unsuccessful endeavors to climb up on the +mantelpiece.</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance, well accustomed to these gymnastics, sat in her easy +chair, and placidly awaited Dorothy's further announcement.</p> + +<p>"You see," Dorothy went on, "we've made, and we are making a great +success of our boarders. I've just had a talk with Mrs. Faulkner and +she's quite satisfied; and goodness knows <i>we</i> are."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Fairy, from a heap of sofa-pillows into which she had just +tumbled, "I do think they are the loveliest people. Why, Mr. Faulkner +says he's going to send to New York for a book, a-purpose for me. It's a +lovely book, all about bugs and slugs and ear-wigs. We went walking +yesterday, and he showed me the funny little houses where beetles and +things live in. Oh, he <i>is</i> a nice man!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy, starting afresh; "it's a great success all around; +and therefore, my beloved brethren, this is my plan. If two boarders are +good, four boarders are twice as good; and so, what do you think of +taking two more guests into our hotel?"</p> + +<p>"At the same rates?" asked Lilian.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy, "at the same rates. Just think! that will give us +sixty dollars a week income, and it won't cost us much more than that to +live, even with four boarders."</p> + +<p>"Hooray!" cried Leicester, flinging a pillow up in the air, and catching +it on his head, "hooray for the great financier! proprietor of the +Dorrance Domain!"</p> + +<p>This was followed by a series of ear-splitting cheers; a performance in +which the Dorrances had indulged but seldom during the past week; but +just now the occasion really seemed to demand it.</p> + +<p>"Who are your millionaire friends?" asked Leicester, "and when do they +arrive?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, they don't know yet themselves, that they're coming," said Dorothy, +airily; "and they're two ladies, and their name is Van Arsdale, and +they're very aristocratic, and they want to be waited on every minute, +and I'm sure they won't want any of us to make a speck of noise while +they're here."</p> + +<p>A long low growl from Lilian, started the Dorrance groan, and the other +three joined in with such force and energy, that the next day Mr. +Faulkner inquired privately of grandma the meaning of the fearful sounds +he had heard the day before.</p> + +<p>When they were quiet again, Dorothy explained the whole thing +rationally, and they were all much pleased with her plan.</p> + +<p>Grandma feared that the added responsibility would be too much for her +oldest granddaughter; but the rest all promised to help, and the girls +agreed that they could do even more of the parlor and dining-room work, +and so give Tessie more time to help Kathleen in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"I suppose the Van Arsdale ladies will register," said Leicester, with a +sudden remembrance of his last experience as a clerk.</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course," said Dorothy; "and we mustn't giggle this time, +either. I'm not at all sure they'll come, but I hope they will; and of +course, if they do they must be received properly."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE VAN ARSDALE LADIES</h3> + + +<p>The Van Arsdale ladies did decide to come. On the receipt of Mrs. +Faulkner's note they concluded that the Dorrance Domain was just the +place for them, and they immediately began to make preparations for +leaving the Horton House.</p> + +<p>"Though it's a very queer thing, Amanda," the elder Miss Van Arsdale +said to her sister, "it's a very queer thing for a young girl to be +proprietor of a hotel. I must confess I don't understand it. And I'm not +sure I want to be mixed up with any such ridiculous doings."</p> + +<p>"But Mrs. Faulkner says that it's all right; and that we four will be +the only boarders. That seems to me very exclusive. You know the +Faulkners are all right,—her mother was a Frelinghuysen. I'm not afraid +to risk it, as long as they recommend it."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll try it for a week, as Mrs. Faulkner advised; and if we +don't like the girl proprietor, we won't have to stay any longer."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what she can be, I'm sure. She can't be of our kind."</p> + +<p>Judging from the effect presented to the eye, the Van Arsdale ladies and +Dorothy Dorrance were not of the same kind.</p> + +<p>They were both elderly spinsters of the type that looks older than it +really is, yet tries to seem younger. They were tall and spare with high +cheek bones, and aquiline, aristocratic noses. These noses seemed to +turn up at everything; and though literally they didn't turn up at all, +yet the effect of turning up was always there. Their large, light blue +eyes were capable of a powerful and penetrating gaze, that was apt to be +extremely disconcerting to the object of their stare. Both ladies had +really beautiful hair of a soft, gray color, which they wore rolled over +high pompadours. They were wealthy, and though economical and even +penurious in some respects, each possessed an inordinate love of dress, +and was willing to spend large sums for gorgeous fabrics made up in the +latest styles. The incongruity of these middle aged and far from +beautiful spinsters, trailing around soft exquisite robes of dainty +coloring, and exquisitely made, afforded much scope for wonderment and +curiosity wherever they went.</p> + +<p>But the sisters cared little or nothing for the comments passed upon +them. They bought their clothes, and wore them, purely for their own +selfish enjoyment; and met with stares of cold contempt, the +half-sarcastic praises offered by some daring ladies at the hotel.</p> + +<p>The day that the Van Arsdales were expected at the Dorrance Domain, +Dorothy and Leicester were prepared to receive them as they had the +others. Lilian and Fairy were allowed to witness the performance this +time, on the strict conditions that they were not to laugh, and none of +the four were to look at each other.</p> + +<p>And so when the Horton House stage came over for the second time, +Grandma Dorrance, the three Dorrance girls, and the two Faulkners were +on the veranda, while Leicester stood nobly at his post in the office.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hickox appeared duly, and made everything all right as usual. But +when he assisted the Van Arsdale ladies out of the stage, he remarked to +himself that his wife would certainly be surprised if she could see them +dresses.</p> + +<p>The elder Miss Van Arsdale wore a silk of the exquisite shade known as +pastel blue; it was made with a jaunty little jacket, opening over an +elaborate white lace waist. A long gold chain hung around her neck, from +which depended innumerable lockets, charms, pencils, purses and +vinaigrettes, in a bewildering array. Her blue hat was decked with white +ostrich plumes, and though Dorothy had been prepared by Mrs. Faulkner +for this display, yet she had not expected quite such a gorgeous +spectacle.</p> + +<p>Miss Amanda Van Arsdale followed her sister; she wore a liberty silk +gown of an old rose color, and a hat with long black ostrich feathers. +She wore no necklace, but from her belt was suspended a large square bag +made entirely of overlapping plates of gold, in which doubtless she +carried the various impedimenta that her sister exhibited.</p> + +<p>Though over-elaborate, these costumes were made in the latest fashion, +and they looked like beautiful and costly gowns, which by some absurd +mistake had been put on the wrong wearers.</p> + +<p>The two advanced with a haughty and somewhat supercilious air, and Mr. +and Mrs. Faulkner rose to greet them. Introductions to the Dorrances +followed, and then Miss Van Arsdale raised her <i>lorgnon</i>, and treated +Dorothy to a prolonged inspection.</p> + +<p>"And you are the proprietor of this hotel?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy, smiling; "I am."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Miss Van Arsdale, "you can't fool me. You look to me quite +capable of being the proprietor of anything."</p> + +<p>And somehow, in spite of her peculiar appearance and her brusque ways, +Dorothy felt at once a decided liking for Miss Marcia Van Arsdale.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner gave a little nod of satisfaction as she saw the good +understanding between these two, and Mr. Faulkner said, genially:</p> + +<p>"Yes, we think our proprietor a very capable young woman."</p> + +<p>Then Dorothy ushered the ladies in to the office and paused at the desk.</p> + +<p>Leicester confessed afterwards that he almost fell off his stool when he +saw Dorothy bringing in two Birds of Paradise, with their feathers +freshly painted. But at the time he preserved a straight face, and +politely offered the register and the pen.</p> + +<p>Miss Marcia, in a bold, dashing hand, signed for them both, and then +Dorothy went herself to their rooms with them,—the faithful Hickox +bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>On reaching the rooms, Dorothy offered to assist the ladies in removing +their hats and veils, but Miss Marcia only stared at her. "Send me a +maid," she said; "a lady's maid."</p> + +<p>Then Dorothy, who was acting under Mrs. Faulkner's direction, said +quietly:</p> + +<p>"Miss Van Arsdale, this is not a fully equipped hotel, and we do not +have ladies' maids. The chambermaid, Tessie, will attend to your rooms, +and such outside service as you may require. Also, my sisters and I will +be glad to help you occasionally, as we often help one another. But a +regular ladies' maid to assist at your toilet, we cannot provide. May I +help you unpin your veil?"</p> + +<p>Miss Marcia Van Arsdale looked at Dorothy again through her glasses.</p> + +<p>"You're the right sort," she said, "and I like your plain speaking. I'm +plain-spoken myself. We'll get along all right, and I shall send for my +parrot."</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed Dorothy, "have you a parrot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a very beautiful and valuable bird. But I never take her anywhere, +until I know just what sort of a place it's going to be. I shall send +for her to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Not knowing the high esteem in which Miss Van Arsdale held her parrot, +Dorothy did not fully appreciate the magnitude of this compliment. So +she merely said, "We shall be very glad to welcome Polly."</p> + +<p>"I do not allow her to be called Polly," said Miss Van Arsdale, with a +sudden return to her supercilious manner. "My bird's name is Mary,—and +I strongly disapprove of nicknames of any sort."</p> + +<p>A parrot named Mary struck Dorothy as very funny, but she was learning +to control her sense of humor when necessary, and she replied: "Very +well, Miss Van Arsdale, we shall be glad to welcome Mary."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Miss Van Arsdale, formally; "and I will ask you to +have her cage moved about at my direction, during the day, in accordance +with the sun and the weather."</p> + +<p>Dorothy considered a minute, and concluded that this was one of the +times to humor Miss Van Arsdale.</p> + +<p>So she said, "I will see to it that the cage is placed wherever you +desire."</p> + +<p>The repetition of this conversation to the others caused great hilarity.</p> + +<p>"Mary!" cried Leicester; "a parrot called Mary! but <i>I</i> should not dare +be so familiar with the bird as to call her Mary. I shall say Miss Mary, +and shall always address her with my best dancing-school bow."</p> + +<p>The parrot arrived duly, and proved to be such a superior bird, and so +interesting and attractive, that the children all fell in love with her. +The name of Polly was entirely unsuited to such a dignified creature, +and Mary seemed far more appropriate.</p> + +<p>The bird's plumage was of brilliant coloring, and Lilian declared that +the Van Arsdale ladies copied their own clothes from Miss Mary's. The +parrot was an exceedingly fine talker, and readily picked up new +phrases.</p> + +<p>Whenever the Van Arsdale ladies entered the room, Mary would remark, +"Hurrah for Miss Marcia!" or, "Hurrah for Miss Amanda!" as the case +might be. This hurrahing was quite in line with the Dorrances' own mode +of expression, and they soon taught Mary to hurrah for each of them by +name.</p> + +<p>Although on the whole, the Misses Van Arsdale were satisfactory +boarders, they were far more difficult than the easy-going Faulkners. +Miss Marcia had a most irritating way of popping out of her room, and +calling over the banister, "Clerk, clerk!"</p> + +<p>Since the moment of registration, she had looked upon Leicester as the +official clerk of the hotel, and applied to him a dozen times a day for +things that she wanted or thought she wanted.</p> + +<p>Usually these applications were made by screaming from the head of the +staircase. Sometimes the request was for stationery,—again for hot +water, warm water, cold water, or ice water. Miss Amanda, too, made +similar demands, and was given to calling for a glass of milk at five +o'clock in the morning, or a few sandwiches after everybody had retired +for the night.</p> + +<p>But Dorothy was learning that the way to success is not always a +primrose path, and she cheerfully did her best to accede to such of +these demands as she considered just and reasonable. And she tried, too, +to look at the justice and reasonableness from the standpoint of her +guests' rather than her own opinions.</p> + +<p>The children had agreed that whenever Miss Marcia desired Mary's cage +moved, any one of the four was to do it. And it was fortunate that the +task was thus divided, for Miss Marcia was fussy, and twenty times a +day, or more, one of the Dorrances might be seen carrying the large cage +from the hall to the veranda, from the veranda to the parlor, from the +parlor to the upper balcony, and so on.</p> + +<p>But as careful attention to Mary's welfare was one of the principal +conditions of the Van Arsdales' continued stay at the Dorrance Domain, +and too, as the children were one and all devoted to the bird, this work +was not objected to.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was most anxious to keep her four boarders through the rest of +the summer. For the plan was working successfully, and though providing +a well-spread and even bounteous table, Dorothy found she could save a +little money. She was not avaricious nor mercenary, but she longed to be +able, at the close of the season, to present Grandma Dorrance with at +least a small sum of money, to help pay their winter expenses.</p> + +<p>And so, when Miss Marcia one day made a proposition to her, Dorothy +hailed it with delight.</p> + +<p>The suggestion was that Miss Van Arsdale should ask her niece to come up +to the Dorrance Domain to board, and to bring her whole family.</p> + +<p>The family consisted of Mrs. Black, three small children and two nurses; +Mr. Black might possibly come up occasionally, but would remain only a +few days at a time.</p> + +<p>Children! Dorothy remembered only too well, how children were objected +to in boarding-houses, and she wondered if she dare undertake to have +them in her hotel. She realized, too, that six or seven more people +would necessitate some radical changes in her methods, and in her +household appointments. Indeed, it meant a change from an experiment to +the real thing. It meant assuming obligations much more formal than she +was under towards her present guests.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, Mrs. Black was wealthy, Miss Van Arsdale said, and +quite willing to pay generously for all she received.</p> + +<p>"I want to do it, Miss Marcia," said Dorothy,—"I want to do it very +much; but it is a big question to decide. So I'll take twenty-four hours +to think it over, and to discuss it with the others, and to-morrow I +will let you know."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A REAL HOTEL</h3> + + +<p>At the family conference on the subject, Grandma Dorrance said No. The +gentle old lady was more than usually decided, and she said, that while +the Faulkners and Van Arsdales were charming people, and more like +visitors than boarders, a family of children, with nurses, was an +altogether different matter, and meant far more trouble and +complications than Dorothy could realize.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grannymother dear," said Dorothy, "I don't think so. Miss Marcia +says that Mrs. Black is a lovely lady, not a bit fussy; and children and +nurses can't be as much responsibility as grown people. Why, they +wouldn't be critical at all."</p> + +<p>"Not critical, perhaps, but far more troublesome in their own way."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Leicester; "the reason people didn't want us +children in boarding-houses was because we made so much noise. Now we +don't care how much noise these kids make, and there's room enough for +the people who do care, to get away from the racket."</p> + +<p>"We would have to have more servants," said Lilian; "and wouldn't that +cut down the profits a good deal?"</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking about that," said Dorothy, "and I've come to this +conclusion. If we should take all these people, we would have to get +another chambermaid, and another helper in the kitchen. A young girl to +pare the vegetables, and help with the dish washing. Of course with so +many extra people, more waitresses will be necessary; but as you say, +Lilian, if we hire a lot of servants it will make our profits pretty +slim. And so I propose that we three girls wait on the table."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, children," cried Grandma Dorrance; "I won't allow anything of +that sort!"</p> + +<p>"Now wait a minute, grandma," said Dorothy; "don't say things that +you'll just have to take back afterwards. There is no disgrace at all in +waiting on a table. Lots of college girls and boys do it right along, +in the colleges,—and they go to summer hotels, too, and wait on the +tables there. Now we children want to earn some money to help you; after +you've taken care of us all these years, I'm sure it's no more than +right. And if this way of earning money isn't easier and pleasanter than +going into a store, I'll give up. What do the rest of you say?"</p> + +<p>"I say, let's go ahead," declared Leicester; "if the four of us agree, +we can persuade grandma. She never really refused us anything in our +lives. And as to waiting on the table, I'd just as leave do it myself, +as not. As you say, Dot, lots of college fellows do it, and it's no more +disgrace than being president. And then we can all eat by ourselves +afterwards, and have a jolly old time."</p> + +<p>"I'd love to wait on the table," said Fairy; "I think it would be +gorgeous fun. Shall we all wear caps, and aprons with big white wings +sticking out of the shoulders?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dorothy, "not caps. We'll wear white aprons, but not with +shoulder-ruffles."</p> + +<p>"I shall have shoulder-ruffles on mine," said Leicester, decidedly; +"and I shall wear a cap, too."</p> + +<p>Even grandma laughed at this; but Dorothy said, "No, Less, I don't want +you to wait on the table, at least not until we really need you. We +girls can do it, with Tessie's help."</p> + +<p>"Well, what <i>can</i> I do?" said Leicester; "it won't take all my time to +register the people who come."</p> + +<p>"There'll be enough for you to do, old fellow," said Dorothy; "you can +go to market every day, and answer Miss Marcia's calls, and move Mary +around. Then if you have any time left, you can amuse the three Black +babies."</p> + +<p>"Pickaninnies, are they?" said Leicester; "then I'll fill them up on +watermelon."</p> + +<p>Although Grandma Dorrance weakened somewhat in her disapproval of the +plan, yet it was not until Mrs. Faulkner was called in, and her opinion +asked, that grandma gave an entire consent.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner was so sweet and sensible about the whole matter, and so +judicious in her advice and suggestions, that grandma was much +influenced by her view of the case.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Faulkner quite agreed with Dorothy about the girls acting as +waitresses, and strongly approved of the children's desire to add to +their finances.</p> + +<p>She also advised Dorothy to charge good prices for the accommodation of +the children and nurses, because, she said, they were quite as great a +responsibility in their way, as Mrs. Black herself.</p> + +<p>As Dorothy had hoped, Mr. Bill Hodges was able to recommend a young girl +whom he knew, to help Kathleen in the kitchen; and Tessie knew of a +competent chambermaid who would be glad to come up from the city for a +while.</p> + +<p>So Dorothy wrote to Mrs. Black, and stated frankly what she had to +offer, and what her rates were, and Mrs. Black telegraphed back that she +might expect the whole family as soon as they could get there.</p> + +<p>And so it came to pass, that again Leicester stood behind his open +register, and the proprietor of the Dorrance Domain awaited her new +relay of guests.</p> + +<p>Though Dorothy was not as much embarrassed this time, as when she +expected her first guests, and had far less sense of humor in the +situation, she had a better poise and a greater self-confidence, which +came necessarily from her so far successful experiences.</p> + +<p>But when she saw the cavalcade approaching, her heart began to beat a +little faster, and worse than that, she found it impossible to keep from +laughing.</p> + +<p>The Blacks had come up by rail, and had apparently annexed all the +available vehicles at the station to transport them. There was a +rockaway first, then two buggies, then two large spring wagons, and then +a buckboard. In the wagons were several trunks, three baby-carriages and +a number of queer-shaped forms carefully wrapped, which afterwards +proved to be portable bath-tubs, a cradle and a folding crib.</p> + +<p>Dorothy began to think that for once, Mr. Hickox would not prove equal +to the occasion; but he reassured her with his usual statements that it +would be all right, and that he would look after things.</p> + +<p>The rockaway came first, and Mr. and Mrs. Black were helped out by Mr. +Hickox in his most official manner.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Black was a delicate, helpless-looking little lady; very pretty, in +a pale blonde way, and seemingly very dependent on her big, good-looking +husband. Mr. Benjamin Black was one of those hearty, cordial-mannered +men, who make friends at once.</p> + +<p>He brought Mrs. Black up the steps, and advancing to Dorothy with +outstretched hand, said pleasantly: "I'm sure this is our proprietor, +Miss Dorrance."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dorothy, put at her ease at once, and shaking hands with +them both; "I'm very glad to see you."</p> + +<p>"We are glad to be here," said Mr. Black. "The trip was very warm and +tiresome. But this place is most charming."</p> + +<p>"And so cool and quiet," said Mrs. Black, sinking into a chair, and +looking, Dorothy thought, as if she never meant to rise again.</p> + +<p>By this time the other vehicles were depositing their cargoes, both +human and freight, and for a moment Dorothy wondered if the Dorrance +Domain were large enough to hold the entire collection.</p> + +<p>One of the nurses was French, and was talking volubly in her own +language to the two children who held her by the hands. One of these +children, a girl of five years, was answering her nurse, also in French; +while the other, a younger boy, was crying loudly, but whether in French +or English, nobody could quite make out.</p> + +<p>The other nurse was a large and stout German woman, who was crooning a +German folk-song to the baby she carried in her arm. Apparently the baby +cared little for German music, for the small infant was pounding its +nurse's face with both tiny fists, and making strange gurgling sounds +which might be caused either by joy or grief.</p> + +<p>All these people came up on the veranda; and after persuading one of the +drivers to stay and help him, Mr. Hickox began to carry the luggage into +the house.</p> + +<p>With a successful effort at composure, Dorothy paid no attention to the +children and nurses, and conducted Mr. Black to the office.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said he to Leicester; "how do you do, sir, how do you do? Fine +place you have up here. Very fine place. Glad I brought my family. Hope +they won't make you any trouble."</p> + +<p>As the commotion on the veranda seemed to increase each moment, +Leicester did not echo this hope, but spoke pleasantly to Mr. Black, and +turned the register towards him.</p> + +<p>The gentleman registered Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Black, Miss Sylvia Black, +Master Montmorency Black, Miss Gwendolen Genevieve Black, Mlle. +Celestine, and Fraülein Lisa Himmelpfennig.</p> + +<p>Leicester looked proudly at this array of names which reached half-way +down the page, and ringing for Mr. Hickox, he gave him the keys of the +rooms set aside for the party, and the caravan started up-stairs.</p> + +<p>Dorothy went with them, both because she thought it proper to do so, and +because she felt an interest in seeing the family properly distributed.</p> + +<p>Leicester left his official desk, and found plenty to do in disposing of +the baby-carriages, and the other paraphernalia.</p> + +<p>It was strange, Dorothy thought to herself as she came down-stairs, how +much more easily, and as a matter of course she took the Blacks' arrival +than she had the previous ones.</p> + +<p>"I must have been born for a hotel proprietor," she said to herself; +"for I don't feel any worry or anxiety about the dinner or anything. I +just <i>know</i> everything will be all right."</p> + +<p>As she reached the foot of the staircase, she met Fairy, who was just +carrying Mary's cage into the north parlor.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Dorothy!" croaked the parrot, catching sight of her.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Miss Mary, you'll have a lot of new names to hurrah for now, and +jaw-breakers at that. I shouldn't wonder if they'd break even a parrot's +jaw, and they may bend that big yellow beak of yours."</p> + +<p>"She can learn them," said Fairy, confidently. "Miss Mary can learn +anything. She's the cleverest, smartest, educatedest bird in the whole +world. There's <i>nothing</i> she can't learn."</p> + +<p>"Pretty Mary," said the bird in its queer, croaking voice; "move Mary's +cage. Hurrah for Fairy!"</p> + +<p>"There, just hear that!" exclaimed Fairy, proudly; "now I rather guess a +bird like that could learn to hurrah for anybody."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Dorothy, "but you don't know yet that these children's +names are Gwendolen Genevieve, and Montmorency."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Fairy, nearly dropping the cage, "of course no parrot +could learn such names as those."</p> + +<p>"And Miss Marcia objects to nicknames," said Dorothy. "These new people +aren't a bit like their aunts, though."</p> + +<p>"When are they coming down?" asked Lilian, who had joined her sisters; +"I wish they'd get that procession of baby-carriages started. I want to +see the show."</p> + +<p>At that moment, the French nurse, Celestine, came down-stairs with the +two older children. The little ones had been freshly dressed, and looked +extremely pretty. Sylvia was in crisp white muslin, with fluttering +bows of pink ribbon, and Montmorency wore a boyish garb of white piqué.</p> + +<p>"Won't you speak to me?" asked Lilian, putting out her hand to the +little girl.</p> + +<p>"No," said the child, hiding her face in her nurse's apron; "do away. +I's af'aid."</p> + +<p>"Mees Sylvie,—she is afraid of everything," said Celestine; "she is a +naughty—naughty,—a bad ma'amselle."</p> + +<p>"No, no," cried Sylvia; "me not bad. Me dood ma'selle."</p> + +<p>"Me dood!" announced three year old Montmorency; "me no ky. On'y babies +ky. Me bid man!"</p> + +<p>"You are good," said Fairy, "and you're a nice big man. Come with me, +and I'll show you where I'm going to put this pretty green bird."</p> + +<p>"Ess," said the little boy, and grasping hold of Fairy's frock he +willingly trotted along by her side.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Sylvia, overcoming her bashfulness, concluded she, too, wanted +to go with the green bird.</p> + +<p>So Celestine and her charges accompanied the Dorrance girls to the north +parlor, and there they found the Van Arsdale ladies, who sat waiting in +state to receive their newly arrived relatives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>UPS AND DOWNS</h3> + + +<p>The days that followed were crammed full of both business and pleasure. +Dorothy rose each morning, buoyant with eager hope that all would go +well, and went to bed each night, rejoicing in the fact that in the main +it had done so.</p> + +<p>There was plenty of work to do; but it was cheerfully done, and many +hands made it light, and comparatively easy. There were many small +worries and anxieties, but they were overcome by perseverance and +determination.</p> + +<p>The Dorrance pride was inherent in all four children, and having set +their hand to the plough, not only were they unwilling to turn back, but +they were determined to make the best possible furrow. Although Dorothy +was at the helm, and all important matters were referred to her, yet the +others had their appointed tasks and did them each day, promptly and +well.</p> + +<p>Now that the Domain had assumed more of the character of a hotel, the +Dorrances saw less of their boarders, socially. Also the large +dining-room was used, and the guests seated in families at various +tables. This gave a far more hotel-like air to the house, and though +perhaps not quite as pleasant, it seemed to Dorothy the right thing to +do.</p> + +<p>The Faulkners were ideal boarders; the Van Arsdales, though more +exacting, were just and considerate; but the Blacks, as Leicester +expressed it, were a caution.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Black was a continual and never-pausing fusser. Mr. Black remained +two days to get them settled, and then returned to the city. Immediately +after his departure, Mrs. Black insisted on changing her room.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to bother my husband about it," she said to Dorothy, "for +he thinks I'm so fickle-minded; but truly, it isn't that. You see, the +sun gets around to this room at just half-past three, and that's the +time I'm always taking my nap, and so of course it wakes me up. Now you +see, I can't stand that,—when I came up here for rest and recuperation. +And so, my dear Miss Dorrance, if you don't mind, I'll just take some +other room. I'm sure you have plenty of them, and if that big, strong +Mr. Hickox will help move my things, I'm sure it will be no trouble at +all. Perhaps your sister Fairy will look after the children a little +bit, while Celestine and Lisa assist me. The baby is asleep, and perhaps +she won't waken, but if she does, would Miss Lilian mind holding her for +just a little while? or she might take her out in her baby-carriage for +a bit of a ride. I'm sorry to be troublesome, but you see for yourself, +I really can't help it."</p> + +<p>If Mrs. Black really <i>was</i> sorry to be troublesome, she must have been +sorry most of the time. For she was everlastingly making changes of some +sort, or desiring attention from somebody, and she quite imposed on the +good nature of the younger Dorrances, by begging them to take care of +her children upon all too frequent occasions. Once, even Leicester was +surprised to find himself wheeling Montmorency up and down the veranda, +while Mrs. Black finished a letter to go in the mail.</p> + +<p>The Van Arsdale ladies also were under the calm, but imperious sway of +their fragile-looking niece. It was nothing unusual to see Miss Marcia +and Miss Amanda each holding one of the fretful children, and making +frantic endeavors to amuse their young relatives. The nurses were +competent, but Mrs. Black so often had errands for them that their young +charges were frequently in the care of other people.</p> + +<p>Dorothy talked this matter over with Mrs. Faulkner, and as usual was +wisely counseled by that lady. She advised, that in so far as Lilian and +Fairy wished to play with the Black children, they should do so; but in +no way were they under obligation to assist Mrs. Black in the care of +her little ones. And, if she requested this at times when the girls had +duties to perform, or indeed at a time when they wished to take their +recreation, Mrs. Faulkner said they were perfectly justified in asking +Mrs. Black to excuse them.</p> + +<p>Dorothy told this to her sisters, who were thereby much relieved; for +though fond of the children, they did not, as Lilian said, wish to be +pushing around those Black babies in perambulators from morning till +night. But somehow the babies caused a great deal of commotion, and +Dorothy began to understand why boarding-house keepers preferred grown +people.</p> + +<p>One day as the Dorrance girls sat on the veranda, Celestine came running +to them, wringing her hands, after her French method of showing great +dismay, and exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Mees Sylvie,—she have fallen into ze lake!"</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed the three girls at once, jumping up, and running +towards the lake; "where did she fall in? How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"Non, non,—not zat way! zis a-way," and Celestine started down a path +that did not lead towards the lake. "I have pull her out; she is not +drown,—but she is,—oh, so ver' soil,—so, vat you say,—muddy, oh, so +much muddy!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the mud if the child isn't drowned," cried Lilian; "but +this is not the way to the lake. You said she fell in the lake."</p> + +<p>"Not ze gran' lake, mees, but ze small lake,—ze ver' small, p'tit +lake."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she means nothing but a mud-puddle!" cried Fairy, who had run ahead +of the rest, and found Sylvia lying on the grass, chuckling with +laughter, while her pretty clothes were a mass of mud and wet.</p> + +<p>"I falled in!" she cried, gleefully; "I failed in all myself, when +C'lestine wasn't looking. Ain't I a funny dirl?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think it's funny," began Dorothy, and then she paused, +realizing that it was not her duty to reprimand Mrs. Black's children, +and, too, Sylvia certainly did look funny. Not only her white dress, but +her face and hands, and her dainty white slippers and stockings were +bespattered with brown mud, and Lilian said that she looked like a +chocolate éclair.</p> + +<p>Another day, Celestine approached Dorothy with the pleasing news that, +"Master Montmorency, he must have upsetted the blanc-mange."</p> + +<p>Dorothy flew to verify this statement, and found that the son of the +house of Black had indeed overturned a large dish of Bavarian cream, +which Kathleen had made for that evening's dessert. It had been set out +on the back porch to cool, and though protected by a wire screen cover, +the enterprising youth had succeeded in wrecking the whole affair.</p> + +<p>Dorothy's record for good-nature was seriously menaced by this +mischievous prank, and she would probably have told Mrs. Black her +honest opinion of the transgressing infant; but Kathleen's view of the +case disarmed her.</p> + +<p>"Whisht, now, darlint," said the big peace-maker, "niver you mind. I'll +whishk up another bowl full in a minute, shure. The shpalpeen didn't +mane anny harrum. Troth, he's nothin' but a baby. Wasn't ye wan yersilf +wanst? Go 'long wid ye, now, and lave me to me wurruk."</p> + +<p>This Dorothy was glad enough to do, and she walked away, feeling that +Kathleen had taught her a lesson in making allowance for the +unconsciousness of a child's wrongdoing.</p> + +<p>When she reached the west veranda she found the whole family and all +the guests gathered there in a great state of excitement.</p> + +<p>Following Lilian's pointing finger with her eyes, she saw Mary, the +parrot, perched calmly on a high limb of an evergreen-tree.</p> + +<p>"How did she get out?" cried Dorothy, aghast.</p> + +<p>"Sylvia opened the cage door," answered Lilian, "when no one was +looking,—and Mary just walked out. You should have seen her climbing +that tree. She went up branch by branch."</p> + +<p>The parrot looked triumphantly down at the crowd, and remarked, "Mary is +high up; Mary is very high up."</p> + +<p>"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, beseechingly; "come down, Mary,—pretty +Mary,—come down to Dorothy."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Dorothy!" cried the parrot,—"hurrah for Sylvia! hurrah for +the Dorrance Domain!"</p> + +<p>This last cheer had been taught to Mary by Leicester, after many long +and patient lessons, and never before had Mary spoken it so plainly and +distinctly.</p> + +<p>By this time the Van Arsdale ladies were in tears; Fairy, too, was +weeping, for she felt sure Mary would fly away and never come back. The +Black children required very little encouragement to start their +lachrymal glands, and seeing the others' tears, immediately began to +howl in various keys.</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, don't cry!" said Mary, from her high perch.</p> + +<p>"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, coaxingly, and showing an apple and a +cracker which she had procured; "come down and get your dinner."</p> + +<p>But no urgings would induce the bird to come down. She cocked her eye +wickedly, and hurrahed for everybody in turn, but utterly refused to +descend.</p> + +<p>"Ach, donnerblitzen!" exclaimed German Lisa. "Denn du bist ein dumkopf! +Kommst du jetz hinein!"</p> + +<p>"Ciel! what a bird it is!" wailed Celestine, wringing her hands; "ah, +Marie, belle Marie, come down, cherie!"</p> + +<p>But the French coaxing, and the German scolding had no more effect on +Mary than the weeping of the Van Arsdale ladies and the screaming of +the children. She fluttered her wings, and seemed about to depart. Then +she would look at them again, and with her exasperating winks, would +hurrah enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"If she'll only stay there long enough, perhaps I can lasso her," said +Leicester, running in the house for a string.</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Faulkner, who followed him in, "I'm afraid that would +frighten her; but if you had a butterfly net, with a very long handle, +we might catch her with that."</p> + +<p>"Just the thing," said Leicester; "and there is one in the storeroom; I +remember seeing it there."</p> + +<p>He brought it, but the handle was not long enough; so Mr. Faulkner +proposed that they try placing a ladder against another tree near by, +and then from the top of that, endeavor to reach the bird with a net.</p> + +<p>Mary watched the proceedings with great interest. "Catch Mary!" she +cried; "catch pretty Mary!"</p> + +<p>"You bet we will!" cried Leicester, and when the ladder was adjusted he +climbed to the top of it, carrying the long-handled net with him.</p> + +<p>They all thought the bird would be frightened at the net and fly away, +or at least attempt to do so.</p> + +<p>But she seemed to think it a game in which she played an important part, +and she sat quietly on the branch, occasionally remarking, "Catch Mary, +pretty Mary!"</p> + +<p>With a sure aim, Leicester pushed the net towards the bird and brought +it down over her head, then with a dextrous twist, he turned it upside +down, with the bird in it, and lowered it carefully to Mr. Faulkner, who +was standing below. At this unexpected indignity, Mary set up a +ferocious squawking, the Black children redoubled their yells, and the +Dorrance children cheered with delight.</p> + +<p>Mary was taken from the net, unharmed, and restored to her happy +mistress, who determined to send to town at once for a padlock for the +cage door.</p> + +<p>But though commotions such as these were of frequent, almost daily +occurrence; yet when they were not such as to interfere with the +routine of her household management, Dorothy did not allow them to worry +her.</p> + +<p>Although usually busy all the morning, she found many spare hours for +rest and recreation in the afternoon; and the evenings were always +delightful. The Black children were then safely in bed, and could make +no trouble. The Dorrances were at liberty to be by themselves, or with +their boarders, as they wished.</p> + +<p>As Mr. Faulkner played the guitar, and Leicester could pick a little on +the mandolin, and as they all could sing,—or fancied they could,—there +were often very jolly concerts on the veranda, or, on moonlight +evenings, out in the boat.</p> + +<p>Mr. Black came up every week, and when he discovered the array of +musical talent already there, he brought his banjo, and added greatly to +the fun. Sometimes on rainy evenings, they would all congregate in the +great empty ballroom, and play merry games. On such occasions, the +Blacks and Faulkners seemed almost as young, and nearly as noisy as the +Dorrances.</p> + +<p>One day Leicester came to Dorothy, with a letter.</p> + +<p>"Jack Harris has just written me," he said, "and he wants to come up +here and board for a month; what do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Let him come, by all means," said Dorothy, heartily; "he won't be a bit +of extra trouble, and if he will pay our regular rates I shall be glad +to have him. The Dorrance Domain is now a fully established summer +hotel; and we are prepared to receive all who apply."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>TWO BOYS AND A BOAT</h3> + + +<p>It was nearly a week after Leicester had written to Jack Harris, telling +him that he might come up and board at the hotel, when, one afternoon, +the Dorrance children heard queer sounds coming up from the direction of +the dock.</p> + +<p>All four ran to look over the rail of the upper landing, and saw a +strange-looking craft anchored at the dock. On the dock were two boys +and Mr. Hickox; the latter gentleman apparently much excited and +interested.</p> + +<p>"It's Jack Harris!" cried Leicester, "and another fellow with him; and, +oh, I say, girls, they've got a motor-boat!"</p> + +<p>"What's a motor-boat?" cried Fairy; but as all four were then flying +down the steps at a rapid speed, nobody answered her.</p> + +<p>Wondering who the second boy could be, and filled with delightful +curiosity as to the wonderful motor-boat, the Dorrances reached the +dock with astonishing rapidity.</p> + +<p>"Hi, Jack," cried Leicester, "thought you were coming up by train. What +a dandy boat! Yours?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Jack, whipping off his cap, and shaking hands with Dorothy; +"it belongs to my chum here, Bob Irwin. I've brought him along, Dorothy, +and I hope you can take us both in. Less said you had plenty of room. I +would have written, but Bob only decided to come at the last minute, and +we were so busy and excited getting the boat off, that I forgot to +telegraph, though I meant to do so."</p> + +<p>Bob Irwin was a big, jolly-looking boy, of about seventeen or eighteen, +and his smile was so broad and comprehensive that the Dorrances felt +acquainted at once.</p> + +<p>"Indeed we have plenty of room," said Dorothy, answering young Irwin's +greeting; "and we're very glad to have you both,—and your boat too," +she added, still looking with a sort of fascination at the trim little +affair.</p> + +<p>"She is a jolly little craft," said Bob Irwin, frankly; "I've only had +her a few weeks. I named her <i>Shooting Star</i>, because she goes like one. +We came all the way up from Jersey City by the canal."</p> + +<p>"All the way!" exclaimed Lilian; "what fun you must have had coming +through the locks!"</p> + +<p>"Well yes,—but there were so many of them. The planes were worse, +though; <i>Shooting Star</i> didn't take to those kindly at all. However, +we're here; and if you'll keep us, we'll all have a good deal of fun on +this lake."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you could come all the way by canal," said Leicester. +"Are they willing to open the locks for you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bob's uncle is a Grand High Mogul or something in the canal +company, and he gave us a permit. I tell you it was great fun; the boat +goes like a greased arrow."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to go for a little spin around the lake, now, all of +you?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"No,—not now," said Dorothy, looking at her watch. "We'd love to, but +it is too near dinner-time for us to go now. You know, as hotel +proprietors, we have duties to attend to at scheduled hours; and we must +be found at our posts."</p> + +<p>Though said with apparent carelessness, this was really a brave bit of +self-denial on Dorothy's part. For she was eager to try the pretty boat, +and, too, there was nearly a half hour before her presence at the hotel +was actually necessary.</p> + +<p>But she had learned by experience that to go out on the lake was a +proceeding which could not be accurately timed, and she knew that her +duty pointed towards keeping on the safe side. Beside this, she must +have another room put in readiness, for she had expected only Jack.</p> + +<p>"But I <i>do</i> want to go out in the motor-boater," cried Fairy, dancing +around the dock, and waving her arms. "Will you take us some other time, +Mr. Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I will," said Bob, heartily; "and anyway, it's just as well to +take our traps up now, and get settled."</p> + +<p>"Hickox is your man," said that long individual, suddenly interrupting +his own investigation of the marvelous boat. "Hickox'll cart your truck +up the hill. Where might it be?"</p> + +<p>"Here you are," and Bob sprang into the <i>Shooting Star</i> and tossed out +three suit cases and a lot of odds and ends of luggage. "But we fellows +can carry them up."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, no, sir; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right."</p> + +<p>Jack laughed at the familiar phrases, and Bob Irwin looked on with +amusement while Mr. Hickox stowed the things in his queer-looking cart.</p> + +<p>"And this is for you and your sisters, Miss Dorothy," said Bob, as he +emerged with a final parcel.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the contents of the neatly tied up box of candy; +but it was of such a size that it nearly took the girls' breath away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you," cried Dorothy, dimpling with smiles. "I haven't had a +speck of New York candy since I've been here. And the Woodville +gum-drops are so highly colored and so stiff inside, that they're not a +bit of fun."</p> + +<p>"They were made summer before last, too," said Leicester; "they ought to +be sold as antiques."</p> + +<p>"A whole big box of candy for our very own!" cried Fairy; "oh, that's +better than the promoter-boat, or whatever you call it. And part of the +candy is <i>my</i> very own, isn't it, Mr. Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; to do whatever you like with."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall give half of my share to Mrs. Hickox. She'll be <i>so</i> +surprised. I don't believe she ever saw any real choklits or +butter-cuppers."</p> + +<p>Leicester carried the precious box, and the six children climbed the +steps to the Dorrance Domain. Naturally, Fairy reached the top first, +and ran up the veranda steps, shouting, "Oh, grannymother! we've got two +new boarders, and they came in an automobile-ship, and they brought a +bushel of candy, real splendiferous New York candy,—and his name is +Bob!"</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance had always liked Leicester's friend Jack, and she +willingly extended her welcome to the pleasant-faced Bob.</p> + +<p>The two boys were a decided addition to the gayety of the Dorrance +Domain.</p> + +<p>And the <i>Shooting Star</i> proved to be an equally desirable adjunct. +Instead of rowing over to Dolan's Point each morning for the marketing, +or harnessing old Dobbin and driving there, the swift little motor-boat +did the errand in less than half the time, and was moreover a pleasure +and delight.</p> + +<p>Besides this there were merry excursions on the lake in the afternoons +and evenings.</p> + +<p>One day, when they had started out immediately after luncheon, and, +owing to Mr. Black's expected arrival, were to have a late dinner, the +six children made an exploring tour of the whole lake.</p> + +<p>"I want to find out," said Bob, as they started off, "what feeds this +lake. There must be several inlets and some of them large ones. A lake +nine miles long has got to be fed by something."</p> + +<p>"This lake is so tame it would eat out of your hand," said Leicester.</p> + +<p>"Even so, <i>I</i> wouldn't want to feed it," said Dorothy; "my present array +of table boarders is quite enough for me, thank you."</p> + +<p>"There <i>is</i> an inlet," said Lilian, "just this side of Dolan's Point. +The one that has the floating bridge across it, you know."</p> + +<p>"But that isn't enough to make any impression on this big lake," +insisted Bob; "there must be two or three arms somewhere, and if there +are, we'll find them to-day; for I'm going all around the shores of the +lake."</p> + +<p>So the <i>Shooting Star</i> shot ahead, and skirted the margin of the lake +for miles and miles.</p> + +<p>But except the one at Dolan's Point, no inlet of any sort was +discovered, and the round trip was completed by a crowd of mystified +explorers.</p> + +<p>"It's the queerest thing!" said Bob, whose scientific inquiries were +prompted by a tenacious mind. "The water in Lake Ponetcong certainly +must come from somewhere."</p> + +<p>"I think it rains in," said Fairy, with a sage expression. "It hasn't +rained much this summer, but it rained a lot when we were in New York, +and I s'pose the water just stayed in."</p> + +<p>"I think it just was here from the beginning," said Lilian, "and somehow +it never got away."</p> + +<p>"That would do for some lakes," said Dorothy; "but here, they're always +letting it out through the locks; and it does seem as if it would have +to be filled up again, some way."</p> + +<p>That evening the children put the puzzling question to Mr. Faulkner. He +was a great favorite with the crowd of young people, and though a +scientific man, he was capable of making explanations that were entirely +comprehensible to their youthful minds.</p> + +<p>They were all interested, though perhaps Bob Irwin was more especially +so, in learning that Lake Ponetcong was fed entirely by springs in its +bed.</p> + +<p>This phrase pleased the Dorrance children very much, as their sense of +humor was touched by what they chose to call the spring-bed of the lake.</p> + +<p>But Bob was more seriously interested, and listened attentively to Mr. +Faulkner's description of what was an unusual, though not unprecedented +phenomenon.</p> + +<p>Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner accompanied them on their motor-boat +trips; sometimes, too, Mr. and Mrs. Black went; but the Van Arsdale +ladies refused to be persuaded to risk their lives in any such +mysterious contrivance.</p> + +<p>The Black children and their nurses were taken out once, but upon their +return Bob Irwin declared himself unwilling ever again to carry such an +emotional and cosmopolitan crowd. The baby shrieked and yelled in +English, the French nurse and German nurse shrieked in their respective +languages, and the way they all jumped about was really a serious menace +to safety.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be no end to the energies or the resources of the three +boys in providing pleasure and entertainment.</p> + +<p>Jack and Bob shared Leicester's duties as a matter of course; and though +Leicester protested, the others insisted on helping him in whatever he +had to do. They froze ice cream, they mowed the grass, they split +kindling-wood,—and they looked on these things as pastimes rather than +tasks. They were big, strong, good-natured fellows, and firm friends and +admirers of all the Dorrances.</p> + +<p>Bob declared that although he drew the line at pushing the Black babies' +perambulators, yet he was perfectly willing to act as Miss Mary's escort +whenever desired.</p> + +<p>One notable achievement of the boys', was a roof-garden. Jack had +discovered the possibilities of the hotel roof during his earlier visit; +and at his proposition it was arranged most attractively.</p> + +<p>Small evergreen trees were brought from the woods and taken up to the +roof where they were made to stand about in hedges or clusters. Rustic +chairs, settees and tables were found in the storerooms, and rugs were +placed about. Hammocks were swung, and over the top of all was rigged an +awning, which could be rolled away if desired.</p> + +<p>Chinese lanterns made the place gay by night, and flags and bunting +formed part of the decoration.</p> + +<p>Summer night concerts were often held here, and when Tessie would +appear with iced lemonade and cakes and fruit, everybody declared that +never had there been a hotel so admirably managed as the Dorrance +Domain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION</h3> + + +<p>Though Dorothy enjoyed the fun of the motor-boat and the roof-garden, +and was always happy whether working or playing, yet perhaps she liked +best of all, to lie in her hammock of a summer afternoon, and read or +day-dream as she looked across the lake and watched the shadows on the +distant hills.</p> + +<p>On these occasions she felt sure she could be a poet, if she only knew +how to express properly the fancies that danced through her brain.</p> + +<p>Sometimes she would provide herself with a pencil and paper, but though +she might write a line or a phrase, she never could get any further. The +attempt to put her thoughts into words always produced a crude and +stilted result which she knew instinctively was not poetry.</p> + +<p>"If I only could learn the wordy part of it," she said to herself, "I am +sure I have the right thoughts to put into a poem."</p> + +<p>As she lay thinking about all this, one warm afternoon, she suddenly +heard a voice say: "<i>Is</i> this a hotel, or isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy jumped, and sitting up in her hammock, saw a strange lady, who +had apparently just walked into the Domain.</p> + +<p>The newcomer was of the aggressive type. She was short and stout, with a +determined-looking face and a rather unattractive personal appearance. +She wore a short, thick brown walking-skirt, and a brown linen +shirt-waist, and heavy common-sense shoes. A plain brown felt hat was +tied securely to her head by means of a brown veil knotted under her +chin. She carried in one hand a small suit-case, and in the other a +stout walking-stick.</p> + +<p>Pretty Dorothy, in her fluffy summer muslin, looked at the stranger +curiously a moment, and then, quickly recovering her poise, said +politely: "Yes, this is a hotel. Are you looking for board?"</p> + +<p>"No," said the stranger, "I am on a tramp. In fact I <i>am</i> a tramp, a +lady-tramp. I am spending the whole summer walking about the country, +enjoying myself."</p> + +<p>"You are fond of walking, then?" said Dorothy, by way of making +conversation.</p> + +<p>"No, I am not," replied the lady-tramp; "I am doing it to reduce my +flesh, and I am enjoying myself because I have succeeded. Success is +always enjoyable."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is;" and Dorothy herself, felt a satisfaction in the thought +that she too was succeeding in her summer's work.</p> + +<p>"My name," went on her visitor, "is Lucille Dillingham. I tramp all day, +and at night I stay at any hotel or farmhouse near which I happen to +find myself. And so I want to stay at this hotel to-night, and if you +will tell me where to find the proprietor, I won't trouble you further."</p> + +<p>"I am the proprietor," said Dorothy, smiling, for she felt quite sure +this statement would surprise Miss Lucille Dillingham.</p> + +<p>"If that's a joke," was the response, "I can't see any particular fun in +it. But no matter, I will inquire at the hotel myself."</p> + +<p>"But truly, Miss Dillingham, I am the proprietor," and Dorothy stood up +and put on the most dignified air of which she was capable. "I am +Dorothy Dorrance, and this hotel is the property of my grandmother; but +I am the acknowledged proprietor, and I shall be very glad to talk to +you as such."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it, child! well if that is not the greatest I ever heard +of! I am a great believer myself in the capability of women; but for a +girl like you to run a hotel, is one ahead of <i>my</i> experience! Tell me +all about it."</p> + +<p>"There isn't much to tell," said Dorothy, who was not at all pleasantly +impressed by the air and manner of the lady-tramp, and she couldn't help +thinking to herself that the tramp was more in evidence than the lady. +"However," she went on, courteously, "I live here with my grandmother, +and my brother and two sisters. We have entire charge of this hotel, and +we try to manage it in a way to satisfy our guests and ourselves. If +you wish to stay for the night, Miss Dillingham, I am sure we can make +you comfortable."</p> + +<p>Miss Dillingham's eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>"I will do better than that," she cried; "I will stay all the time, and +I will run the hotel for you. I am a splendid manager, and much better +fitted for that sort of thing than a frivolous young girl like you. Oh, +we'll get along famously!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy began to wonder whether Miss Dillingham might not have escaped +from some lunatic asylum, but she only said, "Thank you very much for +your kind offer, but the hotel is running smoothly, and I really can't +see the necessity for any change in the administration." Just at this +moment Fairy came flying across the lawn, and flinging herself into the +hammock, drew the sides of it together around her athletic little body, +and with a peculiar kicking motion twisted herself and the hammock over +and over in a sort of revolving somersault. Then still holding the sides +she poked up her golden head, crowned with its big white bow, and gazed +at the stranger.</p> + +<p>"You must 'scuse me," she said, "for 'pearing so unsuspectedly. But I +always come that way when I am in a hurry, and I'm always in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"This is my sister Fairy, Miss Dillingham," said Dorothy, and Fairy +bounced out of the hammock, and gracefully offered her hand to the +stranger.</p> + +<p>"How do you do?" she said. "I am very glad to see you, and I hope you +have come to stay, 'cause it's time we had some new boarders. I am +'fraid we are running behind with our 'spenses."</p> + +<p>Dorothy bit her lip to keep from laughing at Fairy's attitude of +proprietorship, and Miss Dillingham stared at the child in blank +amazement.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "is this another proprietor of this very remarkable +hotel?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not purporietor," said Fairy, "my sister is that; and my brother is +clerk. I am just a general helper, and sometimes I help with the babies +and the parrot."</p> + +<p>Miss Dillingham seemed more and more bewildered, but she said, "I think +you're all lunatics, and need somebody to look after you, and straighten +you out. I shall stay here for the night, and look into this thing. It +interests me extremely. Pray have you many boarders, and are they all as +crazy as yourselves?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy resented this question, but she kept her temper under control, +and replied, "We have a number of boarders and we consider them quite +sane, and they seem to think us so. If you wish to stay for the night, I +will take you to the house at once and give you a room."</p> + +<p>Miss Dillingham gave a sort of exasperated sniff, which Dorothy took to +mean acquiescence, and they all started for the house.</p> + +<p>Fairy walked backwards in front of the others, whirling all the way +round, now and then, to make sure her path was clear.</p> + +<p>"Did you really think we were crazy?" she asked, much interested in the +idea.</p> + +<p>"I did," replied Miss Dillingham, "and I am not yet convinced to the +contrary."</p> + +<p>Suddenly Fairy realized that this was another occasion for registration, +and with one of her loudest shrieks at the thought, she darted towards +the house and disappeared through the front door.</p> + +<p>"Leicester!" she cried, and then with a prolonged yell, "Les—ter!" +Leicester appeared by a jump through a window. "What's up?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Less, there's a new boarder, and she's crazy, and she thinks we +are, and she will want to register. Do get in the coop, quick!"</p> + +<p>Grasping the situation, Leicester flung himself through the wicket door +and behind the office desk. In a jiffy, he had assumed his clerkly air, +and had opened the great register at the proper date.</p> + +<p>When Dorothy appeared, a moment later, with Miss Dillingham, Leicester +offered the pen to the newcomer with such a businesslike air that there +seemed really no further room to doubt the responsibility of the hotel +management. Then he rang a bell, and in a moment Mr. Hickox appeared, +and with the deferential demeanor of a porter picked up Miss +Dillingham's suit-case and stick.</p> + +<p>Then Dorothy escorted the lady-tramp to her room, and returned a few +moments later, to find the other children waiting for an explanation.</p> + +<p>"Where did you catch it?" asked Leicester.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" inquired Lilian.</p> + +<p>"It's only for one night," explained Dorothy, laughing; "but, Less, she +wants to run the hotel! She thinks we aren't responsible!"</p> + +<p>It really seemed inevitable, so Lilian started the Dorrance groan. The +others took it up, with their usual enthusiasm, and though it was of +late a forbidden indulgence, they let themselves go for once, and the +result was an unearthly din that brought grandma to the scene at once.</p> + +<p>"Children!" she exclaimed. "You know you promised not to do that!"</p> + +<p>"I know, grandma," explained Fairy, "but truly, this is a specialty +occasion. You don't know what's happened, and what she wants to do."</p> + +<p>But before Mrs. Dorrance could learn what had happened, the +newly-registered guest herself, came flying down the staircase.</p> + +<p>"What <i>is</i> the matter?" she cried; "is the house on fire? Has anybody +been killed?"</p> + +<p>"We must 'pollergize, Miss Dillingham," spoke up Fairy; "that's our +Dorrance groan, it belongs to the family; we don't use it much up here, +'cause it wakes up the baby and otherwise irritations the boarders."</p> + +<p>"I should think it would," put in Miss Dillingham, with conviction.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it does," went on Fairy, agreeably; "and so you see, we don't 'low +ourselves to 'spress our feelings that way very often. But to-day we had +a purtickular reason for it, and so somehow we found ourselves +a-groaning before we knew it."</p> + +<p>Ignoring Fairy and her voluble explanation, Miss Dillingham turned to +Mrs. Dorrance, and inquired with dignity: "Are you the lady of the +house?"</p> + +<p>"I am the owner of the house," said Grandma Dorrance, with her own +gentle dignity, "and my granddaughter Dorothy is in charge of it. I +must ask you to forgive the disturbance the children just made, and I +think I can safely assure you it will not happen again."</p> + +<p>Grandma Dorrance looked at her grandchildren, with an air of confidence +that was responded to by a look of loving loyalty from each pair of +laughing young eyes.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand it at all," said Miss Dillingham; "but I will now +return to my room, and take a short nap, if the house can be kept quiet. +Then later, I have a proposition which I wish to lay before you, and +which will doubtless prove advantageous to all concerned."</p> + +<p>Miss Dillingham stalked majestically up the stairs again, and the +Dorrances consulted as to what she could mean by her extraordinary +proposition.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Dorothy, "she wants to run the hotel. She informed me +that she was much better qualified for such a business than I am."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho!" cried Leicester, "she is, is she! Well I like her nerve!"</p> + +<p>"I wish she hadn't come," said Fairy, beginning to cry. "I don't want +her to run this hotel, and Dorothy and all of us only be just boarders."</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, Fairy, whatever you do," exclaimed Leicester. "If you put up +one of your best crying-spells, it will make more noise than the groan +did, and our new friend will come racing down-stairs again."</p> + +<p>This suggestion silenced Fairy, and Leicester went on: "Do you really +mean, Dot, that she proposed seriously to take charge of the Domain?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she did; and I think she expects to make a business proposition to +that effect."</p> + +<p>"All right, then; let's give her as good as she sends. Let's pretend +that we entertain her proposition, and see what she has to say for +herself."</p> + +<p>"You'd better be careful," said Lilian, the practical, "sometimes people +get caught in their own trap; and if you pretend you're going to let her +have charge of affairs here, first thing you know she'll be at the head +of things, and we will all be nowhere."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'm not afraid of being dethroned by any +lady-tramp that happens along. Just let her try it!"</p> + +<p>"However she might frighten us singly," said Leicester, "I rather guess +that the Dorrance family as a whole, can stand up for their rights."</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, children," said grandma; "Dorothy must have +misunderstood the lady. She couldn't have meant to make such a strange +proposition at a moment's notice."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>But apparently that is just what Miss Lucille Dillingham did mean. For +that evening, after dinner, she gathered the Dorrance children round her +in one of the small drawing-rooms, and talked to them in a +straightforward if unacceptable way.</p> + +<p>"Now don't say a word," she said, "until I have thoroughly explained my +intention."</p> + +<p>"We won't say a word, Miss Dillingham," said Fairy, "until you say your +speech. But please say it plain, 'cause I'm the littlest one and +sometimes I can't understand big words. 'Course I say big words myself, +sometimes, but I understand my own, only other people's aren't always +tellergibble to me. And so, you see I just have to——"</p> + +<p>"That will do, Fairy," interrupted Leicester; "we've agreed not to do +our talking until Miss Dillingham is through."</p> + +<p>"In a few words, then," began Miss Dillingham, with the air of one who +is satisfied of a foregone conclusion, "I want to say that in the few +hours I have been here I have thoroughly acquainted myself with the +conditions and possibilities of this hotel. And I have discovered that +it is improperly managed by incompetent hands, and that it is, +therefore, a lucky stroke of fortune for you that I happened along just +now. I propose to assume entire charge of the hotel, give it a new name, +establish new methods of management, and control absolutely the receipts +and expenditures."</p> + +<p>If the four Dorrances hadn't been possessed of a strong sense of humor, +they would have been appalled by this extraordinary proposition. As it +was, it struck them all as being very funny, and though with difficulty +restraining a smile, Leicester inquired, with every appearance of +serious interest, "And where do we come in?"</p> + +<p>"You will be merely boarders," announced Miss Dillingham, "and can run +and play as befits children of your ages. It may seem strange to you at +first, that I should make you this generous proposition on so short an +acquaintance, but it is my habit to make quick decisions, and I rarely +regret them."</p> + +<p>"Would you mind telling us your reasons for wanting to do this thing?" +asked Lilian.</p> + +<p>"My reasons are perhaps too subtle for young minds to understand. They +are partly ethical, for I cannot make it seem right that a girl of +sixteen should be so weighted with responsibility; and, too, I am +actuated in part by motives of personal advantage. I may say the project +seems to possess a pecuniary interest for me——"</p> + +<p>"Miss Dillingham," said Fairy fixing her wide-open eyes on the lady's +face, "'scuse me for interrupting, but truly I can't understand all +those words. What does etherkle mean? and what is tercumerary? They are +nice words and I would like to save them to use myself, if I knew a +little bit what they meant."</p> + +<p>"Never mind what they mean, Fairy," said Leicester; "and Miss +Dillingham, it is not necessary for us to consider this matter any +further. You have made your proposition, and I am sure that I speak for +the four of us, when I say that we decline it absolutely and without +further discussion."</p> + +<p>When Leicester chose, he could adopt a tone and manner that seemed far +more like a man, than like a boy of his years; and Miss Dillingham +suddenly realized that she was not dealing with quite such childish +minds as she had supposed.</p> + +<p>"My brother is quite right," said Dorothy, and she, too, put on her most +grown-up manner, which, by the way, was very grown-up indeed. "Although +surprised at what you have said, we understand clearly your offer, and +we respectfully but very positively decline it <i>in toto</i>."</p> + +<p>As Dorothy confessed afterwards, she didn't know exactly what <i>in toto</i> +meant, but she felt quite certain it came in appropriately just there.</p> + +<p>Miss Dillingham seemed to think so too, or at any rate she was impressed +by the attitude of the Dorrance young people, and without a further +word, she rose and stalked away and they saw her no more that night. The +next morning she was up early and after a somewhat curt leave-taking, +she tramped away.</p> + +<p>"I think I could have liked her," said Dorothy, thoughtfully, "if she +hadn't tried to steal away from us our Dorrance Domain."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>DOROTHY'S REWARD</h3> + + +<p>Fairy continued her weekly visits to Mrs. Hickox, but she was positively +forbidden by her hostess ever to bring any one with her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox was possessed of a peculiar kind of shyness, and she shrank +from meeting people more sophisticated than herself. She had become +devotedly attached to Fairy, and really looked forward eagerly to the +afternoons the child spent with her. She continued to be surprised at +the doings of the Dorrances, but had never been to the Domain since her +first call upon the family.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hickox tells me you've got a roof-garden," she said to Fairy one +day, as they sat sociably in the milk-room. "Now for the land's sake do +tell me what that is. Is it the thing that runs by electrics?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Fairy, who never laughed at Mrs. Hickox's ignorance; "it's +the <i>Shooting Star</i> that runs by electricity; the roof-garden doesn't +run at all,—it just stays still."</p> + +<p>"Well what is it, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the roof-garden is just a garden on the roof."</p> + +<p>"A garden on a roof! well I <i>am</i> surprised! What do you raise in the +garden? peas and beans? It must be an awful trouble to get the dirt up +there, and to get the water up there to water things with. As for +getting the potatoes and pumpkins down, I suppose you can just throw +them down,—though I must say I should think it would spoil the +pumpkins."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we don't raise vegetables in the roof-garden, Mrs. Hickox," said +Fairy, laughing in spite of herself.</p> + +<p>"Well, what <i>do</i> you raise?"</p> + +<p>"Why we don't raise anything; we just stay there."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I can't see any garden about that. But I did want to know what +the thing was like. 'Cause I cut out a clipping yesterday,—Hickory, he +got his shoes home from the cobbler's, and they was wrapped in a piece +of a New York newspaper; my, but I had a good time! I cut so many +clippings out of that newspaper, that what's left would do for a picture +frame. The worst of it was, so many clippings backed up against others, +and they wasn't the same length. People ought to be more careful how +they print their newspapers. Well, as I was saying, I cut out a piece +about a roof-garden, but I guess you're right about their not raisin' +things in it. My land! I couldn't get head or tail to the whole yarn. So +that's why I wanted to ask you just what a roof-garden is. But I ain't +found out much."</p> + +<p>Fairy endeavored to explain further, but Mrs. Hickox's mind seemed +incapable of grasping the real intent of a roof-garden, after all; and +so after intimating her continued surprise, she changed the subject.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hickox was the only one who could sustain the greater part in a +conversation with Fairy. For some reason the child liked the queer old +lady, and was contented to listen while she talked; though usually +Fairy's own loquacity was not so easily curbed.</p> + +<p>"I told Hickory, long ago, that that biggest sister of yours would set +Lake Ponetcong on fire yet; or he told me, I don't know which, and it +don't make no difference now; but, anyway, I'm free to confess she's +done it. To think of a girl of sixteen takin' a pack of boarders into +that big hotel, and makin' a success of it! It is surprisin'! and she +does everything up so slick, too. Why, Hickory says the meals is always +on time, and the whole place is always as neat and cleared-up lookin' as +my best room."</p> + +<p>"My sister Dorothy <i>is</i> a smart girl," agreed Fairy, who was always +ready to stand up for her family; "Mr. Faulkner says she has great +'zecutive billerty,—and I guess she has."</p> + +<p>"You all have," said Mrs. Hickox, heartily. "You're as queer as Dick's +hatband,—every one of you,—but you're smarter 'n steel-traps. And the +rest of you work just as good as Dorothy does. You ain't none of you +shirks. Of course you have lots of help, but I s'pose you need it. +Hickory, he does a lot of work for you, but, land! he gets paid enough, +so it's all right."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to come over and see the roof-garden?" asked Fairy, +though without much hope that her invitation would be accepted.</p> + +<p>"No, child, no; I ain't got no use for new-fangled doin's. My +old-fashioned garden is good enough for me. I like to read about things +in newspapers, but I don't hanker none about being mixed up in 'em. Run +along now, here comes Mr. Hickox and he'll be wantin' his supper. Run +along, quick now,—good-bye. Well I <i>am</i> surprised!"</p> + +<p>The last remark was addressed to the approaching Mr. Hickox, but having +been so peremptorily dismissed, Fairy did not turn to see what the new +occasion for Mrs. Hickox's surprise might be.</p> + +<p>The month of August went pleasantly along at the Dorrance Domain. No new +boarders were registered, but all who were there, stayed through the +month, and all except the Blacks stayed into the early September. The +Dorrances had given up all idea of Mr. Lloyd's coming to visit them, as +he had written earlier in the season that he would do.</p> + +<p>But one day a letter came, saying that he would run up for a couple of +days.</p> + +<p>Aside from their appreciation of Mr. Lloyd's kindness in a business way, +the Dorrances all liked that genial gentleman as a friend, and the news +of his visit was gladly received. The Dorrance Domain was put into gala +dress for the occasion, and a special program was arranged for the +evening's entertainment.</p> + +<p>He was taken for a sail in the <i>Shooting Star</i>, given a drive behind old +Dobbin, and initiated into the picturesque pleasures of the roof-garden.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lloyd was most appreciative and enthusiastic; and it was fun for the +Dorrances to see his astonishment at the success of their hotel +management. Although Grandma Dorrance had written to him what the +children were doing, in a general way, he had formed no idea of the +magnitude of their enterprise.</p> + +<p>The second day of his stay they held a family conference in one of the +small parlors. He had told Grandma Dorrance that he wished for a +business talk with her alone, but she had said that the children were +quite as capable of understanding their financial situation as she +herself, if not more so; and that, after their interest and assistance +through the summer, they were entitled to a hearing of whatever Mr. +Lloyd might have to say.</p> + +<p>So the family conclave was called, and Mr. Lloyd took the occasion to +express his hearty appreciation of what they had done.</p> + +<p>"You seem to have the Dorrance grit," he said; "your Grandfather +Dorrance would have been proud of his grandchildren, could he have known +what they would accomplish. He little thought when he bought this hotel +property that his family would ever live here,—let alone running it as +a hotel."</p> + +<p>"It seems so strange," said Dorothy, "to think that this old Domain that +we've made fun of for so many years, and never thought was good for +anything, should have helped us through this summer."</p> + +<p>"I hope, my dear," said Mr. Lloyd, "that you have been careful and +prudent about your expenditures. For sometimes, these exciting +enterprises look very fine and desirable, but are exceedingly costly in +the end."</p> + +<p>Mr. Lloyd was a kind friend, and felt great interest in the Dorrance +fortunes; but his cautious, legal mind, could not avoid a careful +consideration of the exact state of their finances.</p> + +<p>"We have kept our accounts very strictly, sir," said Dorothy, "and we +find that the Dorrance Domain has entirely supported our family for the +summer,—I mean that we are in debt to nobody as a consequence of having +spent our summer here."</p> + +<p>"That is fine, my dear child, that is fine," said Mr. Lloyd, rubbing his +hands together, as he always did when pleased; "I must congratulate you +on that result."</p> + +<p>"And we've had such fun, too," exclaimed Fairy, whose big white bow and +smiling face suddenly appeared over the back of the sofa which she was +clambering up. "I do some of the work, but I don't mind it a bit, and we +all of us get plenty of time to play, and go sailing, and fishing and +everything." As Fairy continued talking she kept rapidly scrambling over +the sofa, down to the floor, under the sofa, and up its back, and over +it again, repeatedly. This in no way interfered with her flow of +conversation, and she went on: "We can make all the racket we like, +too,—nobody minds a speck,—not even Miss Marcia Van Arsdale. She says +it's nothing but animal spiritualism."</p> + +<p>"It has been one of the greatest comforts," said Grandma Dorrance, "to +think that the children <i>could</i> make all the noise they wanted to; for I +suffered tortures at Mrs. Cooper's, trying to keep them quiet. Here, +they are free to do as they choose, and there is room enough to do as +they choose, without annoying other people. I think myself, that they +deserve great commendation for their work this summer. It has not been +easy; but fortunately, they are blessed with temperaments that take +troubles lightly, and make play out of hard work. But I want you to tell +us, Mr. Lloyd, just how we stand financially. The children are anxious +to know, and so am I. They insist that hereafter they shall share my +anxieties and responsibilities, and I am more than glad to have them do +so."</p> + +<p>"I am gratified, Mrs. Dorrance, and my dear young people, to be able to +tell you,"—here Mr. Lloyd paused impressively,—"to be able to tell you +that the outlook is highly satisfactory. Since you have not called upon +me for any of your money during the summer months, I have been able to +apply it towards the repairs that were so necessary on the Fifty-eighth +Street house. Except for a few small bills, that indebtedness is thus +provided for. Your next quarter's allowance is, therefore, +unencumbered."</p> + +<p>"I think," said Dorothy, her eyes shining in the excitement of the +moment, "that this is a good time to present our statement of accounts. +We've been keeping it as a little surprise for grandma, and we want Mr. +Lloyd to know about it too. I wanted Leicester to tell you, and he said +for me to tell you; but we all had just as much to do with it as each +other, so we're all going to tell you together. Come on, all of you."</p> + +<p>The other three Dorrances sprang towards Dorothy in their usual +hop-skip-and-jump fashion, and in a moment they stood in a straight +line, toeing a mark.</p> + +<p>They took hold of hands, and swinging their arms back and forth, recited +a speech which had evidently been rehearsed before-hand.</p> + +<p>"We've paid all expenses," they said, speaking in concert, but not as +loudly as usual, "and besides that, we've cleared three hundred +dollars!"</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Mr. Lloyd, holding up his hands in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear children!" cried Grandma Dorrance, uncertain whether she +should laugh or weep.</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it perfectly wonderful?" cried Dorothy, and the concerted +speech being over, the four children precipitated themselves headlong in +every direction.</p> + +<p>"We wanted to holler it all out," explained Fairy; "but we were afraid +the boarder-people would hear us, and they mightn't think it polite."</p> + +<p>"It's all right," said Lilian, stoutly; "we didn't overcharge anybody, +and we didn't scrimp them. The reason we made money was because we did +so much of the work ourselves, and because Dorothy is such a good +manager."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Dorothy," shrieked Leicester, in a perfect imitation of Miss +Marcia's parrot.</p> + +<p>The cheer that went up for Dorothy was deafening, but nobody minded, for +everybody was so happy.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't have done anything without the others' help," protested +Dorothy; "and of course we couldn't any of us have carried out this plan +at all, without grandma. So you see it took the whole five of us to make +a success of the Dorrance Domain."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain," shouted Fairy, and then every one in +the room, not excepting Grandma Dorrance and Mr. Lloyd, cheered from +their very hearts,</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2>The Carolyn Wells Books for Girls</h2> + + +<h3>THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS</h3> + +<p class="center">Patty Fairfield<br /> +Patty at Home<br /> +Patty in the City<br /> +Patty's Summer Days<br /> +Patty in Paris<br /> +Patty's Friend<br /> +Patty's Pleasure Trip<br /> +Patty's Success<br /> +Patty's Motor Car<br /> +Patty's Butterfly Days<br /> +Patty's Social Season<br /> +Patty's Suitors<br /> +Patty's Romance<br /> +Patty's Fortune<br /> +Patty Blossom<br /> +Patty—Bride<br /> +Patty and Azalea</p> + + + +<h3>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</h3> + +<p class="center">Marjorie's Vacation<br /> +Marjorie's Busy Days<br /> +Marjorie's New Friend<br /> +Marjorie in Command<br /> +Marjorie's Maytime<br /> +Marjorie at Seacote</p> + + + +<h3>TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h3> + +<p class="center">Two Little Women<br /> +Two Little Women and Treasure House<br /> +Two Little Women on a Holiday</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h2> + +<h2>By VICTOR APPLETON</h2> + +<h3>Author of "The Don Sturdy Series."</h3> + + +<p>Tom Swift, known to millions of boys of this generation, is a bright +ingenious youth whose inventions, discoveries and thrilling adventures +are described in these spirited tales that tell of the wonderful +advances in modern science.</p> + +<p class="center">TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH<br /> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS<br /> +TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG DIRIGIBLE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY TRAIN<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT MAGNET<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS TELEVISION DETECTOR</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dorrance Domain, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + +***** This file should be named 39081-h.htm or 39081-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/0/8/39081/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: The Dorrance Domain + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Illustrator: Pelagie Doane + +Release Date: March 8, 2012 [EBook #39081] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE DORRANCE DOMAIN + + _By_ CAROLYN WELLS + + + _Illustrated by_ + PELAGIE DOANE + + GROSSET & DUNLAP + _Publishers_ NEW YORK + + _Copyright, 1905_, + BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY, + _All rights reserved_. + + The Dorrance Domain. + + Made in the United States of America + + +[Illustration: "IF THAT'S THE DORRANCE DOMAIN, IT'S ALL RIGHT. WHAT DO +YOU THINK, FAIRY?"] + + + + +Contents + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. COOPED UP 9 + + II. REBELLIOUS HEARTS 22 + + III. DOROTHY'S PLAN 35 + + IV. THE DEPARTURE 48 + + V. THE MAMIE MEAD 60 + + VI. THE DORRANCE DOMAIN 73 + + VII. MR. HICKOX 86 + + VIII. MRS. HICKOX 99 + + IX. THE FLOATING BRIDGE 112 + + X. THE HICKOXES AT HOME 124 + + XI. SIX INVITATIONS 137 + + XII. GUESTS FOR ALL 149 + + XIII. AN UNWELCOME LETTER 161 + + XIV. FINANCIAL PLANS 174 + + XV. A SUDDEN DETERMINATION 188 + + XVI. A DARING SCHEME 201 + + XVII. REGISTERED GUESTS 214 + + XVIII. AMBITIONS 226 + + XIX. THE VAN ARSDALE LADIES 239 + + XX. A REAL HOTEL 252 + + XXI. UPS AND DOWNS 265 + + XXII. TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 278 + + XXIII. AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION 290 + + XXIV. DOROTHY'S REWARD 307 + + + + +The Dorrance Domain + + + + +CHAPTER I + +COOPED UP + + +"I _wish_ we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!" said Dorothy +Dorrance, flinging herself into an armchair, in her grandmother's room, +one May afternoon, about six o'clock. + +She made this remark almost every afternoon, about six o'clock, whatever +the month or the season, and as a rule, little attention was paid to it. +But to-day her sister Lilian responded, in a sympathetic voice, + +"_I_ wish we didn't have to live in a boarding-house!" + +Whereupon Leicester, Lilian's twin brother, mimicking his sister's +tones, dolefully repeated, "I wish _we_ didn't have to live in a +boarding-house!" + +And then Fairy, the youngest Dorrance, and the last of the quartet, +sighed forlornly, "I wish we didn't have to live in a _boarding-house_!" + +There was another occupant of the room. A gentle white-haired old lady, +whose sweet face and dainty fragile figure had all the effects of an +ivory miniature, or a painting on porcelain. + +"My dears," she said, "I'm sure I wish you didn't." + +"Don't look like that, grannymother," cried Dorothy, springing to kiss +the troubled face of the dear old lady. "I'd live here a million years, +rather than have you look so worried about it. And anyway, it wouldn't +be so bad, if it weren't for the dinners." + +"I don't mind the dinners," said Leicester, "in fact I would be rather +sorry not to have them. What I mind is the cramped space, and the +shut-up-in-your-own-room feeling. I spoke a piece in school last week, +and I spoke it awful well, too, because I just meant it. It began, 'I +want free life, and I want fresh air,' and that's exactly what I do +want. I wish we lived in Texas, instead of on Manhattan Island. Texas +has a great deal more room to the square yard, and I don't believe +people are crowded down there." + +"There can't be more room to a square yard in one place than another," +said Lilian, who was practical. + +"I mean back yards and front yards and side yards,--and I don't care +whether they're square or not," went on Leicester, warming to his +subject. "My air-castle is situated right in the middle of the state of +Texas, and it's the only house in the state." + +"Mine is in the middle of a desert island," said Lilian; "it's so much +nicer to feel sure that you can get to the water, no matter in what +direction you walk away from your house." + +"A desert island would be nice," said Leicester; "it would be more +exciting than Texas, I suppose, on account of the wild animals. But then +in Texas, there are wild men and wild animals both." + +"I like plenty of room, too," said Dorothy, "but I want it inside my +house as well as out. Since we are choosing, I think I'll choose to +live in the Madison Square Garden, and I'll have it moved to the middle +of a western prairie." + +"Well, children," said Mrs. Dorrance, "your ideas are certainly big +enough, but you must leave the discussion of them now, and go to your +small cramped boarding-house bedrooms, and make yourselves presentable +to go down to your dinner in a boarding-house dining-room." + +This suggestion was carried out in the various ways that were +characteristic of the Dorrance children. + +Dorothy, who was sixteen, rose from her chair and humming a waltz tune, +danced slowly and gracefully across the room. The twins, Lilian and +Leicester, fell off of the arms of the sofa, where they had been +perched, scrambled up again, executed a sort of war-dance and then +dashed madly out of the door and down the hall. + +Fairy, the twelve year old, who lived up to her name in all respects, +flew around the room, waving her arms, and singing in a high soprano, +"Can I wear my pink sash? Can I wear my pink sash?" + +"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "you may wear anything you like, if +you'll only keep still a minute. You children are too boisterous for a +boarding-house. You _ought_ to be in the middle of a desert or +somewhere. You bewilder me!" + +But about fifteen minutes later it was four decorous young Dorrances who +accompanied their grandmother to the dining-room. Not that they wanted +to be sedate, or enjoyed being quiet, but they were well-bred children +in spite of their rollicking temperaments. They knew perfectly well how +to behave properly, and always did it when the occasion demanded. + +And, too, the atmosphere of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room was an assistance +rather than a bar to the repression of hilarity. + +The Dorrances sat at a long table, two of the children on either side of +their grandmother, and this arrangement was one of their chief +grievances. + +"If we could only have a table to ourselves," Leicester often said, "it +wouldn't be so bad. But set up side by side, like the teeth in a comb, +cheerful conversation is impossible." + +"But, my boy," his grandmother would remonstrate, "you must learn to +converse pleasantly with those who sit opposite you. You can talk with +your sisters at other times." + +So Leicester tried, but it is exceedingly difficult for a fourteen year +old boy to adapt himself to the requirements of polite conversation. + +On the evening of which we are speaking, his efforts, though well meant, +were unusually unsuccessful. + +Exactly opposite Leicester sat Mr. Bannister, a ponderous gentleman, +both physically and mentally. He was a bachelor, and his only idea +regarding children was that they should be treated jocosely. He also had +his own ideas of jocose treatment. + +"Well, my little man," he said, smiling broadly at Leicester, "did you +go to school to-day?" + +As he asked this question every night at dinner, not even excepting +Saturdays and Sundays, Leicester felt justified in answering only, "Yes, +sir." + +"That's nice; and what did you learn?" + +As this question invariably followed the other, Leicester was not wholly +unprepared for it. But the discussion of air-castles in Texas, or on a +prairie, had made the boy a little impatient of the narrow dining-room, +and the narrow table, and even of Mr. Bannister, though he was by no +means of narrow build. + +"I learned my lessons," he replied shortly, though there was no rudeness +in his tone. + +"Tut, tut, my little man," said Mr. Bannister, playfully shaking a fat +finger at him, "don't be rude." + +"No, sir, I won't," said Leicester, with such an innocent air of +accepting a general bit of good advice, that Mr. Bannister was quite +discomfited. + +Grandma Dorrance looked at Leicester reproachfully, and Mrs. Hill, who +was a sharp-featured, sharp-spoken old lady, and who also sat on the +other side of the table, said severely, to nobody in particular, +"Children are not brought up now as they were in my day." + +This had the effect of silencing Leicester, for the three older +Dorrances had long ago decided that it was useless to try to talk to +Mrs. Hill. Even if you tried your best to be nice and pleasant, she was +sure to say something so irritating, that you just _had_ to lose your +temper. + +But Fairy did not subscribe to this general decision. Indeed, Fairy's +chief characteristic was her irrepressible loquacity. So much trouble +had this made, that she had several times been forbidden to talk at the +dinner-table at all. Then Grandma Dorrance would feel sorry for the +dolefully mute little girl, and would lift the ban, restricting her, +however, to not more than six speeches during any one meal. + +Fairy kept strict account, and never exceeded the allotted number, but +she made each speech as long as she possibly could, and rarely stopped +until positively interrupted. + +So she took it upon herself to respond to Mrs. Hill's remark, and at +the same time demonstrate her loyalty to her grandmother. + +"I'm sure, Mrs. Hill," Fairy began, "that nobody could bring up children +better than my grannymother. She is the best children bring-upper in the +whole world. I don't know how your grandmother brought you up,--or +perhaps you had a mother,--some people think they're better than +grandmothers. I don't know; I never had a mother, only a grandmother, +but she's just the best ever, and if us children aren't good, it's our +fault and not hers. She says we're boist'rous, and I 'spect we are. Mr. +Bannister says we're rude, and I 'spect we are; but none of these +objectionaries is grandma's fault!" Fairy had a way of using long words +when she became excited, and as she knew very few real ones she often +made them up to suit herself. And all her words, long or short came out +in such a torrent of enthusiasm and emphasis, and with such a degree of +rapidity that it was a difficult matter to stop her. So on she went. "So +it's all right, Mrs. Hill, but when we don't behave just first-rate, or +just as children did in your day, please keep a-remembering to blame us +and not grandma. You see," and here Fairy's speech assumed a +confidential tone, "we don't have room enough. We want free life and we +want fresh air, and then I 'spect we'd be more decorious." + +"That will do, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance, looking at her gravely. + +"Yes'm," said Fairy, smiling pleasantly, "that'll do for one." + +"And that makes two! now you've had two speeches, Fairy," said her +brother, teasingly. + +"I have not," said Fairy, "and an explanationary speech doesn't count!" + +"Yes, it does," cried Lilian, "and that makes three!" + +"It doesn't, does it, grandma?" pleaded Fairy, lifting her big blue eyes +to her grandmother's face. + +Mrs. Dorrance looked helpless and a little bewildered, but she only +said, "Please be quiet, Fairy; I might like to talk a little, myself." + +"Oh, that's all right, grandma dear," said Fairy, placidly; "I know how +it is to feel conversationary myself." + +The children's mother had died when Fairy was born, and her father had +given her the name of Fairfax because there had always been a Fairfax +Dorrance in his family for many generations. To be sure it had always +before been a boy baby who was christened Fairfax, but the only boy in +this family had been named Leicester; and so, one Fairfax Dorrance was a +girl. From the time she was old enough to show any characteristics at +all, she had been fairy-like in every possible way. Golden hair, big +blue eyes and a cherub face made her a perfect picture of child beauty. +Then she was so light and airy, so quick of motion and speech, and so +immaculately dainty in her dress and person, that Fairy seemed to be the +only fitting name for her. No matter how much she played rollicking +games, her frock never became rumpled or soiled; and the big white bow +which crowned her mass of golden curls always kept its shape and +position even though its wearer turned somersaults. For Fairy was by no +means a quiet or sedate child. None of the Dorrances were that. And the +youngest was perhaps the most headstrong and difficult to control. But +though impetuous in her deeds and mis-deeds, her good impulses were +equally sudden, and she was always ready to apologize or make amends for +her frequent naughtiness. + +And so after dinner, she went to Mrs. Hill, and said with a most +engaging smile, "I'm sorry if I 'fended you, and I hope I didn't. You +see I didn't mean to speak so much, and right at the dinner table, too, +but I just _have_ to stand up for my grannymother. She's so old, and so +ladylike that she can't stand up for herself. And I was 'fraid you +mightn't understand, so I thought I'd 'pologize. Is it all right?" + +Fairy looked up into Mrs. Hill's face with such angelic eyes and +pleading smile, that even that dignified lady unbent a little. + +"Yes, my dear," she said; "it's all right for you to stand up for your +grandmother, as you express it. But you certainly do talk too much for +such a little girl." + +"Yes'm," said Fairy, contritely, "I know I do. It's my upsetting sin; +but somehow I can't help it. My head seems to be full of words, and they +just keep spilling out. Don't you ever talk too much, ma'am?" + +"No; I don't think I do." + +"You ought to be very thankful," said Fairy, with a sigh; "it is an +awful affliction. Why once upon a time----" + +"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "say good-night to Mrs. Hill, and +come up-stairs with me." + +"Yes, grandma, I'm coming. Good-night, Mrs. Hill; I'm sorry I have to go +just now 'cause I was just going to tell you an awful exciting story. +But perhaps to-morrow----" + +"Come, Fairy," said Mrs. Dorrance; "come at once!" And at last the +gentle old lady succeeded in capturing her refractory granddaughter, and +led the dancing sprite away to her own room. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +REBELLIOUS HEARTS + + +Although Mrs. Cooper's boarders were privileged to sit in the parlor in +the evening, the Dorrances rarely availed themselves of this permission. +For the atmosphere of the formal and over-punctilious drawing-room was +even more depressing than that of the dining-room. And even had the +children wanted to stay there, which they didn't, Mrs. Dorrance would +have been afraid that their irrepressible gayety would have been too +freely exhibited. And another thing, they had to study their next day's +lessons, for their hours between school and dinner-time were always +spent out of doors. + +And so every evening they congregated in their grandmother's room, and +were studious or frivolous as their mood dictated. + +To-night they were especially fractious. + +"Grannymother," exclaimed Lilian, "it just seems as if I _couldn't_ +live in this house another minute! there is nobody here I like, except +our own selves, and I just hate it all!" + +"Did _you_ go to school to-day, my little man?" said Leicester, shaking +his finger in such funny imitation of Mr. Bannister, that Lilian had to +laugh, in spite of her discontentment. + +"I'm so tired of him, too," went on Lilian, still scowling. "Can't we go +and live somewhere else, grandmother?" + +Mrs. Dorrance sighed. She knew only too well the difficulty of securing +desirable rooms in a desirable locality with her four lively young +charges; and especially at the modest price she was able to pay. Already +they had moved six times in their two years of boarding-house life, and +Mrs. Dorrance dreaded the thought of a seventh similar experience. + +"Lilian, dear," she said, gently, "you know how hard it is to find any +nice boarding-house where they will take four noisy children. And I'm +sure, in many respects, this is the best one we've ever found." + +"I suppose it is," said Dorothy, looking up from the French lesson she +was studying, "but I know one thing! as soon as I get through school, +and I don't mean to go many years more, we're going to get away from +boarding-houses entirely, and we're going to have a home of our own. I +don't suppose it can be in Texas, or the Desert of Sahara, but we'll +have a house or an apartment or something, and live by ourselves." + +"I wish you might do so," said her grandmother, "but I fear we cannot +afford it. And, too, I think I would not be able to attend to the +housekeeping. When we used to have plenty of servants, it was quite a +different matter." + +"But granny, dear," cried Dorothy, "I don't mean for you to housekeep. I +mean to do that myself. After I get through school, you know, I'll have +nothing to do, and I can just as well keep house as not." + +"Do you know how?" asked Fairy, staring at her oldest sister with +wide-open blue eyes. + +"Can you make a cherry pie?" sang Leicester. "I don't believe you can, +Dot; and I'll tell you a better plan than yours. You wait until _I_ get +out of school, and then I'll go into some business, and earn enough +money to buy a big house for all of us." + +"Like the one in Fifty-eighth Street?" said Dorothy, softly. + +The children always lowered their voices when they spoke of the house on +Fifty-eighth Street. Two years ago, when their grandfather died, they +had to move out of that beautiful home, and none of them, not even +little Fairy, could yet speak of it in a casual way. + +The children's father had died only a few years after their mother, and +the four had been left without any provision other than that offered by +their Grandfather Dorrance. He took them into his home on Fifty-eighth +Street, and being a man of ample means, he brought them up in a +generous, lavish way. The little Dorrances led a happy life, free from +care or bothers of any sort, until when Dorothy was fourteen, +Grandfather Dorrance died. + +His wife knew nothing of his business affairs, and placidly supposed +there was no reason why she should not continue to live with the +children, in the ways to which they had so long been accustomed. + +But all too soon she learned that years of expensive living had made +decided inroads upon Mr. Dorrance's fortune, and that for the future her +means would be sadly limited. + +Mrs. Dorrance was a frail old lady, entirely unused to responsibilities +of any kind; her husband had always carefully shielded her from all +troubles or annoyances, and now, aside from her deep grief at his death, +she was forced suddenly to face her changed circumstances and the +responsibility of her four grandchildren. + +She was crushed and bewildered by the situation, and had it not been for +the advice and kind assistance of her lawyer, Mr. Lloyd, she would not +have known which way to turn. + +Dorothy, too, though only fourteen years old, proved to be a staunch +little helper. She was brave and plucky, and showed a courage and +capability that astonished all who knew her. + +After Mr. Dorrance's affairs were settled up, it was discovered that the +family could not remain in the home. Although the house was free of +incumbrance, yet there was no money with which to pay taxes, or to pay +the household expenses, even if they lived on a more moderate scale. +Only a few years before his death, Mr. Dorrance had invested a large sum +of money in a summer hotel property. This had not turned out +advantageously, and though Mrs. Dorrance could not understand all of the +business details, she finally became aware that she had but a net income +of two thousand dollars to support herself and her grandchildren. + +Helpless and heart-broken as she was, she yet had a certain amount of +indomitable pride, which though it might break, would never bend. + +In her quiet, gentle way she accepted the situation, and endeavored to +find a suitable boarding-place that would come within her means. The big +house had been rented to strangers, as Mr. Lloyd considered that a +better investment than selling it. The furniture had been sold, except +a few choice personal belongings which had been stored away against +better days. + +With a cheerful placidity, which was but the reaction of her utter +helplessness, Mrs. Dorrance began her new life. + +The children took the change more easily. Although they fretted and +stormed more, yet that very fact gave a sort of outlet to their +disappointment, and, too, their youth allowed them to adapt themselves +more easily to the changed conditions. + +And had it been possible for them to have a home of their own, they +would perhaps have been as happy as in their grandfather's mansion. + +But Mrs. Dorrance well knew her own limitations, and realized that at +her age she could not take up the unaccustomed cares of housekeeping. + +And so they boarded; and it was unsatisfactory to all concerned; +principally because children do not agree with boarding-houses and _vice +versa_. + + * * * * * + +"Well, there is one thing to look forward to," said Dorothy, in her +cheerful way; "it's the first of May now. In a month, school will be +over for this term, and then we can go to the seashore or the country, +and get away from Mrs. Cooper's for the summer, anyhow." + +"Yes," exclaimed Lilian, "won't it be fun! I vote for the country this +year. What do you say, Leicester?" + +The twins, though possessing strong individual opinions, usually +referred all questions to each other, though this by no means implied a +change of mind on the part of either. + +"Country's all right," said Leicester, "but I like mountains. +Mountainous country, you know; I don't mean Pike's Peak or Mount +Washington." + +"I like the seashore," said Fairy. "'Course you needn't go there just +'cause I like it,--but I do think it's awful nice. There's the water you +know, and the big waves come in all tumble-bumble,--oh, it's beautiful +to see them! And if I could have a new bathing-suit trimmed with red +braid like Gladys Miller's, I do think----" + +"Wait a minute, Fairy," said her grandmother; "you're doing your +thinking too soon. I'm sorry, children, more sorry than I can tell you, +but I don't see how we can go away this summer, to the mountains or +seashore or anywhere else." + +"Oh, grannymother!" cried Dorothy in dismay; "you don't mean we must +stay in the city all summer!" + +"I'm afraid so, my dear. I can't see any hope for anything else." + +"But grandma, we went last year, and we stayed all summer, and we had a +lovely time." This from Lilian, whose brown eyes were already filling +with tears. + +"In the city! all summer! well, I just guess _not_!" shouted Leicester. +"I'm going off of Manhattan Island, if I have to go as a tramp." + +"Tramping isn't so bad," said Lilian, brightening up; "we could carry +our things in handkerchiefs slung on sticks over our shoulders." + +"But grannymother couldn't tramp," said Fairy. + + "The streets will be broad and the lanes will be narrow, + So we'll have to take grannymother in a wheel-barrow," + +chanted Dorothy. "But tell us truly, granny, dear, why can't we go +away?" + +Grandmother Dorrance looked sad, but her face wore that air of placid +determination which the children had come to look upon as indicative of +final and unalterable decision. + +"This last winter," she said, "was much more expensive than the winter +before. There was the doctor and the nurse, when Fairy was ill; we are +paying a little more board here than we did at Mrs. Watson's; and then, +somehow, your clothes seem to cost more every year. I don't know how it +is, I'm sure," and the sweet old face assumed the worried look that +always pained Dorothy's heart, "but somehow there isn't any money left +for a summer trip." + +"But grandma," said Leicester, with a great desire to be businesslike, +"can't we find a place to board in the country, for just the same price +as we pay here?" + +"No, it always costs a little more per week at any summer place than in +the city. And that is not all; there are the traveling expenses, and +you'd all need new summer clothes, and there are many extra expenses, +such as laundry work, and things that you children know nothing about." + +Dorothy sat thinking. She had closed her French book and sat with her +elbows on the table in front of her, and her chin in her hands. Dorothy +Dorrance was a very pretty girl, although it had never occurred to her +to think so. She had dark eyes like her father's, but had inherited her +mother's blonde hair. Not golden, but a light golden-brown, which fell +into soft shining curls which tossed about her temples, and escaped from +the thick twist at the back of her head. She had a sunshiny smile, which +was almost always visible, for Dorothy was light-hearted and of a merry +nature. She was an all-round capable girl, and could turn her hand to +almost anything she undertook. She had a capable mind too, and often +astonished her grandmother by her intelligent grasp of business matters +or financial problems. Indeed, Dorothy at sixteen had a far more +practical knowledge of the ways and means of existence than Mrs. +Dorrance at seventy. + +"Grandmother," she said at last, after she had sat for some minutes +staring straight ahead of her, and looking, as Leicester said, "almost +as if she were really thinking." "Grandmother, I think we are old enough +now,--at any rate I am,--to know something about our income. How much +money do we have a year?" + +"That's easily told, my child; since your grandfather's death we have +very little. I own the house on Fifty-eighth Street, but from the rent +of that I have to pay taxes and repairs. Of course Mr. Lloyd attends to +all these matters, and his judgment is always right, but I can't help +thinking there is very little profit in that house." + +"Wouldn't it be better to sell that house, and invest the money in some +other way?" said Dorothy, straightforwardly. + +"Mr. Lloyd says not, dearie, and of course he knows. Then besides that, +I own the large hotel property which your grandfather bought a few +years before he died. But as I cannot rent it, and cannot sell it, it is +not only no source of income to me, but it is a great expense." + +"Oh, 'Our Domain' up in the mountains," said Dorothy. + +"Yes, 'Our Domain'; but I wish it were the Domain of somebody else," +said her grandmother. + +This hotel property had always been called "Our Domain," by the family +and when Mr. Dorrance was alive, had been looked upon as a sort of a +joke, but the present view of the situation did not seem at all +humorous. + +"Never mind," said Leicester, who was always hopeful, "I think it's very +nice to own a Domain. It makes us seem like landed proprietors, and some +day, who knows, it may prove valuable." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DOROTHY'S PLAN + + +One afternoon, about a week later, the children were again in their +grandmother's room waiting for dinner-time. + +To be exact, they weren't in the room, but were literally half in and +half out. For Mrs. Dorrance's room had two front windows, and two +children were hanging out of each, in a precarious and really dangerous +way. + +The twins, in one window, were vying with each other as to which could +lean out farthest, without falling out; and in the other window Dorothy +was leaning out as far as possible, and at the same time trying to keep +a very excited Fairy from pitching headlong to the street. + +The simple explanation of this acrobatic performance is, that they were +looking for the postman. Not that they really thought he would come any +sooner for their endangering their lives, but each young Dorrance +considered it of the highest importance to catch the first glimpse of +him. + +"Oh, dear, do you suppose the house is sold?" said Lilian, for the +dozenth time. + +"Hi!" screamed Dorothy; "there he is! we'll soon know now." + +Dorothy having won the game, they all tumbled into the room again, and +Leicester started down-stairs for the mail. + +"Gently, my boy, gently," warned his grandmother. "Don't go down +whooping like a wild Indian." + +Leicester assumed a sudden air of decorum, and disappeared; while the +girls clustered around their grandmother, all talking at once. + +"What do you think, grandmother?" cried Dorothy, "guess,--which way do +you guess?" + +"I guess, no," said Mrs. Dorrance, who was used to guessing games. + +"I guess, _yes_!" shouted Lilian; "of course it's sold! and we'll have +lots of money and we'll go to Europe, and Africa, and Chicago, and +everywhere!" + +"And over to Brooklyn," chimed in Fairy; "I do want to go to Brooklyn, +'cause I've never been there and Gladys Miller says it's awful funny, +and besides----" + +"A letter! here's a letter," cried Leicester, bouncing into the room; +"open it, open it quick, granny dear!" + +"I can't," said the old lady, helplessly; "you children make such a +noise, I'm all bewildered. Open it, Dorothy, and read it aloud; and the +rest of you, do try to keep still." + +Eagerly, Dorothy tore open the letter, and began to read it: + + MRS. ELIZABETH DORRANCE: + + _Dear Madam_:--I had a final interview to-day with Mr. Ware. As you + know, he had about concluded to buy your hotel, but he has been + making inquiries concerning it, and has learned that it has not + been occupied for several years. He fears that he cannot make it + pay as a business venture, and has therefore definitely decided not + to buy it. + + I do not wish to discourage you, my dear madam, but it looks to me + as if it would not be possible to sell the hotel this season, and + indeed, I doubt if you can ever dispose of it to your satisfaction. + The next best course, in my opinion, would be for you to allow it + to be sold at auction. This plan would enable you to pay the back + taxes now due, and relieve you of further obligations of the same + sort,--though I fear there would be little or no margin of profit + for you in this arrangement. + + However, should you think best to adopt this course, please advise + me promptly, and I will take the necessary steps in the matter. + + I am, my dear madam, + Respectfully yours, + LEWIS H. LLOYD. + +At the conclusion of this letter the four Dorrance children groaned in +concert. Their concerted groan was an old-established affair, and by +reason of much practice they had brought it to a high state of +perfection. It began with a low wail which deepened and strengthened +through several bass notes, and then slid up to high C with a wild, +final shriek. It was most effective as an expression of utter +exasperation, but Mrs. Dorrance, though accustomed to it, lived in a +state of fear lest it might cause the landlady to request them to give +up their rooms. + +"Oh, dear," said Lilian, after the groan had subsided, "I felt sure that +Ware man was going to take the old place. I think he's mean!" + +"I think Mr. Lloyd is mean," broke in Dorothy. "I don't like him!" + +"It isn't his fault, my dear," said her grandmother. "He has done all in +his power to sell the place, but it seems to be unsalable, except at +auction. And that would probably mean that our financial affairs would +be in no better state than they are now." + +"I'd like to see Our Domain," said Leicester, thoughtfully; "what's it +like, grandmother?" + +"I don't know, dear; I've never seen it. Your grandfather never saw it +either. He bought the property through an agent, merely as a +speculation." + +"Ho!" cried Leicester, "the idea of owning a Domain that nobody has ever +seen! why, perhaps there is nothing there at all, and so of course +nobody will buy it." + +"People!" exclaimed Dorothy, suddenly, her eyes shining, and her whole +air expressive of a wonderful discovery. And, too, when Dorothy said, +"People!" in that tone of voice, the others had learned that she meant +to announce one of her plans. As a rule, her plans were wild and +impracticable schemes, but they were always interesting to listen to. + +"People, I'll tell you exactly what we'll do. Grandma says we can't +afford any extra expense this summer. So,--we'll go and live in our +Domain!" + +"Well, of all crazy things," said Lilian, in a disappointed tone. "I +thought you were going to say something nice." + +"It _is_ nice," said Dorothy; "you think it isn't, because you don't +know anything about it. I know all about it. Now listen and I'll tell +you." + +"Know all about it!" said Leicester; "you don't even know where it is!" + +"Anybody can find that out," went on Dorothy; "and then when we find +out, all we have to do is to go there. And then we'll live in the house, +no matter what it is. It's ours, and so we won't have to pay any rent, +and we girls will do all the housework and cooking, and so it won't +cost near as much as boarding. And the difference will pay our traveling +expenses to the Domain, wherever it is. And we won't need any new +clothes to go to a place like that, and it will be perfectly lovely, as +good as a prairie or a Texas, or anything! Now then!" + +"Whew!" exclaimed Leicester; "I do believe you've struck it right this +time. It will be great! I'll do my share of the work,--it will be just +like camping out. What do you suppose the house is like?" + +"Isn't it lovely not to know!" cried Lilian; "everything about it will +be such a surprise. When can we go, grandmother?" + +"Oh, my dears, how you rattle on," said Mrs. Dorrance, half-laughing, +and yet beginning to take an interest in Dorothy's plan. + +Fairy was keeping up a running fire of conversation, but nobody paid any +attention to her. + +"Where is the place, grandmother?" asked Dorothy, who was taking it all +a little more seriously than the others; "you must know at least what +state it's in." + +"Oh, yes, I know that. It's on the shore of Lake Ponetcong,--in the +northern part of New Jersey." + +"What a fearful name!" cried Leicester; "but I don't care if it's called +Alibazan, so long as there's a lake there. You never told us about the +lake before." + +"A lake!" said Lilian, with an ecstatic air; "I shall just stay on that +all the time. I shall have a rowboat and a sailboat and a canoe----" + +"And a cataraman," supplemented her brother; "you can use the hotel for +a boathouse, Lilian, and we'll build a little cabin to live in." + +"Don't go so fast, children," said Mrs. Dorrance; "if you'll give me a +minute to think, I'm not sure but I could see some sense in this +arrangement." + +"Oh, granny, dear," cried Dorothy, clasping her hands beseechingly; "do +take a minute to think. Take several minutes, and think hard, and see if +you can't think some sense into it." + +"As you say," began Mrs. Dorrance, while the children were breathlessly +quiet in their anxiety, "the living expenses would be very much less +than in any boarding-house. And in a country-place like that, you would +not need elaborate clothes. But there are many things to be considered; +you see, I've no idea what the house is like, or in what condition we +would find it." + +"Oh, never mind that," pleaded Dorothy; "let's take our chances. That +will be the fun of it, to go there, not knowing what we're going to. And +anyway, we'll have room enough." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling; "in a hotel you will probably have +room enough. But what do you mean by saying you can do the housework? In +the first place you're not strong enough, and secondly, you don't know +how." + +"I'll do the work," said Fairy. "I don't care if I am only twelve, I can +cook; 'cause when I went to Gladys Miller's one day, she had a little +stove and she showed me how. I'll do all the cooking, and you other +girls can do the domesticker work. Leicester can do all the man's work, +and grannymother can be a Princess of high degree, and just sit and look +on. And then on some days----" + +"Oh, yes, we know how to work," interrupted Dorothy. It was always +necessary to interrupt Fairy if anybody wanted to say anything. + +"And I won't mind how much I have to do, if we have some outdoors around +us. Only think, it's May out of doors now, and here we have to stay shut +up in this old boarding-house, same as in December." + +"You may go out for a while if you care to, little girl," said +Leicester, assuming a grown-up air. + +"I don't want to go out on paved streets," said Dorothy; "I want green +fields and trees and cows." + +"I want free life and I want fresh air," sang Leicester, "and I do +believe we are going to get it. Come, granny, speak the word,--say we +may go." + +"I can't say, positively," said Mrs. Dorrance, "until I write to Mr. +Lloyd and see what he thinks of it. If he agrees to the plan, I suppose +we might try it. But it is all so uncertain." + +"Never mind the uncertainty," said Dorothy; "just leave it all to me. +Now see here, grandmother, for twelve years you've looked after us +children, and taken care of us, and now, I think we're getting old +enough to look after ourselves. Anyway, let us try it. Let us all go up +to the Domain, and spend the summer there. We'll do the best we can, and +if we fail it will be our own fault. You're not to have any +responsibility, you're just to be there as a kind of guardian angel and +general adviser. Nothing very dreadful can happen to us,--at least, +nothing half so dreadful as staying in the city all summer. Now just +write to Mr. Lloyd, and don't ask his opinion, but tell him you've +decided to do this, and just ask him how to get there." + +"We can tell how to get there, ourselves," said Leicester; "let's look +it up on the map. Fairy, get the big atlas, will you?" + +Though Fairy was always called upon to wait on the other children, it +was by no means an imposition, for the child was always dancing around +the room anyway, and dearly loved to do things for people. + +Soon three of the Dorrance children were gathered around the table +studying the map. Fairy, in order to see better, had climbed up on the +table, and was eagerly following with her tiny forefinger the track of +Leicester's pencil. + +"It isn't so very far, after all," he announced. "It's just across the +ferry, and then up on the railroad till you get to it. It looks awfully +near. Oh, I wish we were going to start to-morrow." + +"Why can't we?" said Lilian, who always favored quick action. + +"There's _no_ reason," said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling at the impetuous +children; "of course we can _just_ as well take the seven o'clock train +to-morrow morning as not!" + +"Now you're teasing, grandma," said Lilian; "truly, when can we go?" + +"Just the minute school closes," answered Dorothy. "I suppose we must +stay for that,--I must, anyway; but we could get off the last week in +May." + +Here the announcement of dinner put an end to their planning for the +present, but so gay of heart were they over their happy anticipations, +that for once they didn't mind the gloomy dining-room and their +irritating fellow boarders. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE DEPARTURE + + +After several interviews with Mr. Lloyd, and after discussing the matter +with several other friends whose advice she valued, Mrs. Dorrance +concluded that it was best to try Dorothy's plan. It did seem hard to +keep the children in the city all summer, and however the experiment +might result it could do no great harm in any way. + +They were to start the last week in May, and though Mr. Lloyd had +offered to go up with them, Grandma Dorrance had concluded that would +not be necessary. + +For all Mrs. Dorrance's gentle, helpless manner, the fine old lady had a +certain reserve force, which often manifested itself in an unexpected +decision. + +Leicester, too, showed himself capable of rising to an emergency, and +now that there was occasion for him to be looked upon as the man of the +family, he determined to play well the part. He suddenly seemed to be as +old as Dorothy, and though he deferred to her judgment, he made many +good suggestions which she was glad to accept. + +Indeed, the thought more than once occurred to Grandma Dorrance that the +experiences of the coming summer would teach the children a great deal, +and strengthen their characters in many ways, whatever else its results +might be. + +Not that the Dorrance children became sedate and responsible all at +once. By no means. Their discussions were quite as animated as formerly, +if not more so; and as the time of departure drew nearer, they became so +excited and excitable that had they not been going away, there is a +possibility that Mrs. Cooper might have invited them to do so. + +Many of their friends came to see them during their last few days in the +city, and nearly all brought them gifts or remembrances of some sort. + +Grandma Dorrance viewed with dismay the collection of souvenirs that the +children planned to take with them. It was the live gifts that troubled +her most, and she was finally obliged to stipulate that they should be +allowed to carry only one pet each. So Dorothy took a dog, a large and +beautiful St. Bernard, which she had owned for some years. But as he was +even less desirable in a boarding-house than children, they had been +obliged to make his home with a friend who lived on Long Island. Dorothy +had been in the habit of visiting him frequently, and a great friendship +existed between them. + +The twins chose a pair of rabbits, because they had never had any +rabbits before, and as Leicester said, "What's a Domain without +rabbits?" + +Fairy hesitated long, between a kitten and a canary, but finally chose +the kitten, as being less trouble and more comfort; and the bird was +about to be returned to its donor. But Grandma Dorrance declared that +she too was entitled to a pet and would take the bird for hers, +whereupon Fairy was ecstatically happy. + + * * * * * + +It was a difficult caravan to plan and to move, but one Monday morning +the departure was successfully accomplished. + +Two carriages and a dray-load of trunks and boxes formed the procession. + +Mrs. Dorrance had concluded that much of the necessary work of the +house, especially at first, would be too hard for the girls; and had +therefore decided to take with them a strong young Irish girl to help. + +One of the waitresses, who was about to leave Mrs. Cooper's service +anyway, seemed just the right one. Her name was Tessie, and she was a +devoted friend of the young Dorrances. Her Irish sense of humor made her +delight in their pranks, and it was to the satisfaction of all that she +accompanied the party. + +They crossed the city without attracting attention, but the procession +that filed onto the ferry-boat could not long remain unnoticed. + +Fairy persisted in dancing ahead, and then dancing back to know which +way to go next. She carried her kitten in a basket, and talked to it +incessantly through the slats. Lilian carried the bird-cage, and +Leicester, a box containing the rabbits. Dorothy led her big dog by a +leash, and as she had assumed a sudden dignity, born of the occasion, +she made with the magnificent and stately animal beside her, an +impressive picture. Tessie was entrusted with the care of Grandma +Dorrance; and this was a wise arrangement, for though accustomed to +traveling, Mrs. Dorrance was also accustomed to lean on some one else +for the responsibilities of the trip. + +Dorothy saw this more plainly than ever during their journey, and +resolved more strongly than ever that she would relieve her grandmother +of all possible care, and be a real help and support to her. + +It was just as she reached this decision that Fairy lifted the lid of +her basket and peeped in to talk to the kitten. But she opened the lid a +trifle too wide and the frightened kitten jumped out and ran to the edge +of the deck, where the poor little thing sat quivering, and shivering, +and apparently just about to tumble into the water. + +Involuntarily the four Dorrances gave one of their best concerted +groans. The low moaning notes and the final shriek roused Dare, the +great dog, to a sudden wild excitement. Breaking away from Dorothy's +hold, he flew after the tiny Maltese kitten, and taking her head in his +mouth, rescued her from imminent peril. + +But Fairy, not appreciating that it was a rescue, looked upon it as a +massacre, and began to howl piteously. Whereupon Dare deposited the +squirming kitten at Fairy's feet, and added his bark, which was no faint +one, to the general pandemonium. + +All of which so disturbed poor Mrs. Dorrance, that she was glad to have +Tessie lead her into the cabin, and there make her as comfortable as +possible with a pillow and some smelling-salts. + +Meantime peace and quiet had been restored to the party on deck, and +they were waving joyful farewells to the tall buildings on Manhattan +Island. + +"There's the old Flatiron," cried Leicester; "good-bye, old Flatiron! +hope I won't see you again for a long while." + +"There's the new Flatiron too," cried Lilian. "I don't want to see that +again for ever so long, either." + +"You'll see flatirons enough, my lady," said Dorothy, "when you find +yourself doing the laundry work for a large and able-bodied family." + +"I won't have to do that, will I?" cried Lilian, aghast; "nobody told me +that!" + +"Well, we needn't wash the clothes," said Dorothy; "but likely we'll +have to help iron; that is, if we wear any white dresses." + +"I'll promise not to wear any white dresses," said Leicester. + +"I don't care what I wear, if we just once get into the country," said +Lilian. "Oh Dorothy, what _do_ you suppose it will be like?" + +"Just like Mrs. Cooper's," said Dorothy, smiling. + +"Well it can't be like that," said Lilian; "and so I don't care what it +is." + +Another excitement came when they were all getting packed into the +train. Dare had to travel in the baggage-car, of which he expressed his +disapproval by long and continuous growlings. The rabbits were put +there, too, but they made less fuss about it. + +The bird and the kitten were allowed in the car with the children, and +this arrangement added to the general gayety. + +Although Mrs. Dorrance naturally considered herself in charge of the +expedition, and though Dorothy felt sure she was, and though Leicester +hoped he might be, yet it was really quick-witted Tessie who looked +after things and kept matters straight. + +The ride through northern New Jersey was not picturesque, and as there +was very little to look at from the windows, the four soon returned to +their favorite game of guessing what the new home would be like. + +"What shall we call it?" asked Leicester; "it ought to have a name." + +"And a nice one, too," said Dorothy; "for, do you know, I think we shall +live there always." + +"Wait 'til you see it," said Lilian; "we may not even want to stay over +night." + +"We couldn't stay always," said Fairy; "how would we go to school?" + +"I suppose we couldn't," said Dorothy; "but after we all get through +school, then we can; and it will be lovely to have a home of our own, +so let's get a good name for it." + +"Why not the Domain?" said Leicester. "That's what we've always called +it, and so it sounds natural." + +"That isn't enough by itself," said Dorothy. "How do you like the +Dorrance Domain?" + +They all liked this, and so The Dorrance Domain was decided upon, and +they all rushed to tell grandma the name of her new home. + +It was noon when the train reached the Ponetcong Station. Here they all +bundled out, bag and baggage, children and animals. But as the boat, in +which they were to continue their journey did not leave until one +o'clock, there was ample time to get some luncheon,--which more than +pleased the four hungry Dorrances. Upon inquiry, they were directed to a +small country hotel and soon found themselves confronted with many small +portions of not over-attractive looking viands. + +But for once, the children cared little about what they ate or how it +was served, so eager were they at the prospect of soon reaching their +new home. + +"What do you suppose it will be like?" said Lilian, quite as if she were +propounding a brand-new conundrum. + +"I've s'posed everything I can possibly think of," said Leicester; "but +I'm willing to guess again if you want me to." + +"It isn't worth while guessing much more," said Dorothy; "for very soon +we will _know_. Now, Lilian, you and Fairy stay here with grandma, and +Leicester and I will go over to that little store across the street and +buy some things to take with us for supper to-night. Tessie may go too, +to help us carry them." + +But this plan was far from acceptable. + +"That isn't fair!" cried Lilian; "buying things for our own home is the +most fun yet, and I think we all ought to go together." + +"So do I," said Fairy. "Let Tessie stay with grandma, and us four will +go to purchase the eatabubbles." + +Fairy did not stutter, but, when excited, she was apt to put extra +syllables in her words. + +"Come on, then," said Dorothy, and with Dare bounding beside them, the +four ran across the road to the little grocery shop. + +"Let's be very sensible," said Dorothy, "and get just the right things. +You know young housekeepers always do ridiculous things when they go to +buy provisions. Now what do we need most?" + +"Bread," said the twins together, and surely nobody could have +criticised their suggestion as ridiculous. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, and then turning to the grocer, she said politely, +"Have you any bread?" + +"Yes, miss," replied the grocer, staring in amazement at the four +excited children; "what kind?" + +"Why, just bread," said Dorothy; "fresh bread, you know. Is there more +than one kind?" + +"Yes, miss. Square loaf, long loaf, twist loaf and raisin bread." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, appalled by this superabundant variety. + +But Leicester came to the rescue. "Raisin bread," said he; "that's the +kind. And then we want some butter, if you please." + +"Print, pat or tub?" + +"Oh, not a whole tub full," said Dorothy, diligently trying to be +sensible; "we couldn't carry a tub. I think we'll take a--a print." + +"Yes, miss; anything else?" + +The weight of responsibility was so great, that no one spoke for a +moment, and then Fairy, in a burst of confidence began: + +"You see, mister, we've never bought anything before; we've just eaten +other people's things; but now we've got a home of our own, a really +truly home, and these things are to eat in it. So of course you see we +have to be very careful what we buy. We're trying very hard to be +sensible housekeepers, 'cause my sister says we must, and she knows +everything in the world. And so if you could 'vise us a little, we'd +know better 'bout selectioning." + +After this speech, a few questions from the grocer resulted in a frank +and straightforward statement of the case by Dorothy, and then a +judicious selection was made of immediate necessities for the commissary +department of The Dorrance Domain. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MAMIE MEAD + + +As the man of the family and courier of the expedition, Leicester had +assumed an air of importance, and looked after the baggage checks, +tickets and time-tables with an effect of official guardianship. + +"Why, it's a steamboat!" exclaimed Fairy, as a diminutive steamer came +puffing up to the dock. "I thought it would be a canal-boat." + +"People don't travel to a Domain in a canal-boat, my child," said +Leicester, instructively. + +"But you said we'd go on the canal," insisted Fairy; "and I want to see +what a canal is like. There is one in my geography----" + +"Skip aboard, kidlums, and you'll soon see what a canal is like," said +Leicester, who was marshaling his party over the gangplank. + +The _Mamie Mead_ was the very smallest steamboat the children had ever +seen, and it seemed like playing house to establish themselves on its +tiny deck. Dare seemed to find it inadequate to his ideas of proportion, +and he stalked around, knocking over chairs and camp-stools with a fine +air of indifference. + +Grandma Dorrance, who by this time was rather tired by the journey, was +made as comfortable as possible, and then the children prepared to enjoy +the excitements of their first trip on a canal. + +The smoothness of the water amazed them all, and they wondered why it +wasn't more like a river. + +The locks, especially, aroused awe and admiration. + +By the time they went through the first gate they had made the +acquaintance of the captain, and could watch the performance more +intelligently. It seemed nothing short of magic to watch the great gates +slowly close, and then to feel their own boat rising slowly but +steadily, as the water rushed in from the upper sluice. + +"It's just like Noah and the Ark," exclaimed Fairy, "when the floods +made them go up and up." + +"It's exactly like that," agreed Dorothy, as the waters kept rising; +"and we've nearly as many animals on board as he had." + +All too soon they had risen to the level of the lake, and another pair +of great gates swung open to let them through. + +"Are we going to stay on top?" asked Fairy; "or must we go down again?" + +"You'll stay on top this time, little missie," said good-natured old +Captain Kane, smiling at Fairy. "This boat ain't no submarine to dive +down into the lake." + +"But you dived up into the lake," insisted Fairy. + +"That was the only way to get here, miss. But any day you would like to +go back and dive down, here's the man that will take you. The _Mamie +Mead_ is always glad of passengers. She don't get none too many +nowadays." + +"Why doesn't she?" asked Leicester, with interest. + +"Well, you see, sir, since the hotel's been empty, they ain't no call +for _Mamie_ much. So whenever you kids wants a free ride, just come +down to the dock and wave something. If so be's I'm goin' by, I'll stop +and take you on. Is the place you're goin' near the hotel?" + +"Near the hotel!" cried Dorothy; "why we're going _to_ the hotel." + +"You can't. 'Tain't open." + +"I know it," said Dorothy; "but it will be when we get there. We have +all the keys." + +"For the land's sake! And what are you goin' to do there?" + +"We're going to live there," exclaimed Leicester; "we own the +place,--that is, my grandmother does." + +"Own it? Own the Dorrance place?" + +"Yes; we're all Dorrances." + +"For the land's sake! Well, when you want to go down to the station for +anything, this here boat's at your service,--that is, if I'm up this +way." + +"Do you come up this way often?" asked Dorothy, who appreciated the +possible value of this offer. + +"I allus comes once a week, miss. I goes over to Dolan's Point every +Saturday. Will you be here till Saturday?" + +"Saturday! Why we're going to stay all summer." + +"Beggin' your pardon, miss, but I don't think as how you will. Just the +few of you shakin' around in that big hotel! It's ridikilus!" + +"Ridiculous or not, we're going to do it," said Leicester, stoutly; "but +we thank you for your offer, Captain Kane, and very likely we'll be glad +to accept it." + +"Well, there's your home," said Captain Kane, as a large white building +began to be visible through the trees. + +Without a word, the Dorrance children looked in the direction the +captain indicated. + +High up on the sloping shore of the lake, they saw a great house which +seemed to be an interminable length of tall, white columns supporting +tiers of verandas. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that can't be it! that great, big place!" + +"It looks like the Pantheon," said Lilian. + +"You mean the Parthenon," said Leicester; "but I never can tell them +apart, myself. Anyway, if that's the Dorrance Domain, it's all right! +What do you think, Fairy?" + +Fairy looked at the big hotel, and then said thoughtfully, "I guess +we'll have room enough." + +"I guess we will," cried Dorothy, laughing; and then they all ran to +Grandma Dorrance, to show her the wonderful sight. + +The good lady was also astounded at the enormous size of the hotel, and +greatly impressed with the beauty of the scene. It was about three +o'clock, on a lovely May afternoon, and the hotel, which faced the west, +gleamed among trees which shaded from the palest spring tints to the +dark evergreens. It was at the top of a high slope, but behind it was a +background of other hills, and in the distance, mountains. + +"_Aren't_ you glad we came? Oh, grannymother, _aren't_ you glad we +came?" cried Dorothy, clasping her hands in ecstasy. + +"Indeed I am, dear; but I had no idea it was such an immense house. How +can we take care of it?" + +"That question will come later," said Leicester; "the thing is now, how +shall we get to it. How _do_ people get to it, Captain Kane?" + +"Steps," answered the captain, laconically. + +"Up from the dock?" + +"Yep; a hundred and forty of 'em." + +"Oh, how can grandmother climb all those?" + +"Settin'-places all the way along," suggested the captain, cheerfully. + +"Oh, you mean landing-places on the stair-way?" + +"Yep; so folks can rest. I guess your grandma'll get up all right; but +what about all your trunks and things?" + +"Why I don't know," said Leicester, suddenly losing his air of capable +importance. + +"Well, there's old Hickox; you might get him." + +"Where can we find Mr. Hickox?" + +"He's most generally settin' around the dock. Favorite restin'-place of +his. Think I can see him there now." + +After a few moments more the _Mamie Mead_ bumped against the dock. + +"Our own dock!" cried Dorothy; "oh, isn't it gorgeous!" + +Probably such an excited crowd had never before landed from the _Mamie +Mead_. The children all talked at once; Grandma Dorrance seemed +rejuvenated by the happy occasion; Tessie was speechless with delight; +Dare gave short, sharp barks expressive of deep satisfaction and the +canary bird burst into his most jubilant song. Doubtless the kitten was +purring contentedly, if not audibly. + +The trunks and other luggage were put out on the dock, and Mr. Hickox +sauntered up and viewed them with an air of great interest. + +"I guess this is where I come in handy," he said, with a broad smile and +a deferential bob of his head that somehow seemed to serve as a general +introduction all around. + +Mr. Hickox was a strange looking man. He was very tall, indeed, by far +the tallest man the children had ever seen; and he was also very thin. +Or perhaps _lean_ is a more expressive word to describe Mr. Hickox, for +he gave no impression of ill-health, or emaciation, but rather the +leanness of muscular strength. His brown hair and side-whiskers were +touched with gray, and his tanned face was wrinkled, but he did not seem +like an old man. His blue eyes twinkled with good-humor, and his voice +was delightfully kind. + +Instinctively the Dorrance children felt that they had found a friend in +this strange man, and they were grateful. + +"Could you tell us, sir," said Leicester, "how we are going to get these +trunks and things up to the hotel?" + +"Well, yes, I can tell you that. I'm going to lug them up myself." + +"What, carry them?" said Leicester, in surprise. + +"Well, no; not carry them,--not exactly carry them. You see I've got a +little contraption of my own; a sort of cart or dray, and I'll just put +all that duffle of yours into it, and it'll be up to the top before +you're there yourselves." + +"You don't drag it up the stairs!" + +"No, I go up the back way,--a roundabout, winding path of my own. But +don't you worry,--don't worry,--Hickox'll look after things. It'll be +all right." + +Although Mr. Hickox spoke in short staccato jerks, his remarks seemed to +carry authority; and nodding his head in a manner peculiar to himself, +he went off after his cart. + +"He's all right, he is," declared Captain Kane; "but his old woman, she +isn't so right. But never mind 'bout that. You'll see old Mrs. Hickox +sooner or later and then you can size her up for yourself. Well, me and +_Mamie_ must be gettin' along. You all jest stay here till Hickox comes +back, and he'll get you up the hill all right." + +As Captain Kane went away the children could hear him chuckling to +himself, and murmuring, "Goin' to live in the hotel! well, well!" + +As Grandma Dorrance would want frequent rests by the way, Dorothy +proposed that she should start on up the steps with Tessie, while the +rest waited for Mr. Hickox. + +That long specimen of humanity soon came briskly along, trundling a +queer sort of push-cart, which it was quite evident was of home +manufacture. + +"I made it myself," he declared, pointing with pride to the ungainly +vehicle. "I was surprised that I could do it," he added modestly; "Mrs. +Hickox, she was surprised, too. But she generally is surprised. You +don't know my wife, do you?" + +"No," said Dorothy, politely; "we haven't that pleasure." + +"H'm," said Mr. Hickox, rubbing down his side-whiskers; "she's a nice +woman,--a very nice woman, but you must take her easy. Yes, when you +meet her, you must certainly take her easy. She doesn't like to be +surprised." + +"Do you think she will be surprised at us?" asked Lilian, who was well +aware that many people thought the Dorrances surprising. + +"Yes; I think she will. I certainly think she will. Why, to tell the +truth, I'm some surprised at you myself,--and I ain't half so easy +surprised as Mrs. Hickox." + +As he talked, Mr. Hickox was bundling the luggage into his cart. He +picked up trunks and boxes as if they weighed next to nothing, and +deposited them neatly and compactly in his queer vehicle. + +"Any of the live stock to go?" he inquired. + +"No," said Dorothy, "we'll take the animals; unless,--yes, you might +take the rabbits; their cage is so heavy." + +"Yes, do," said Leicester; "then I'll carry the bird-cage, and you girls +can manage the dog and the kitten." + +So everything else was put into the dray, even the provisions they had +bought at the grocery shop, and the children watched with astonishment, +as Mr. Hickox started off, easily pushing the load along a winding path. + +"He's the strongest man I ever saw," exclaimed Leicester; "and I'd like +to go along with him to see how he does it." + +"No, you come with us," said Fairy, dancing around, and clasping her +brother's hand; "come on; now we're going up a million steps and then we +will come to our own Domain." + +Climbing the steps was anything but a work of toil, for continually new +delights met their eyes, and they paused often to exclaim and comment. + +About half-way up they found grandma and Tessie sitting on one of the +small landings, waiting for them. + +"Now we'll go the rest of the way together," said Dorothy, "for we must +all see our Domain at the same time. Go as slowly as you like, +grandmother, we're in no hurry." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DORRANCE DOMAIN + + +Alternately resting and climbing, at last they reached the top, and for +the first time had a full view of the Dorrance Domain. + +"Oh," said Dorothy in an awe-struck whisper, "that's our home! All of +it!" + +Leicester, from sheer lack of words to express his feelings, turned +double somersaults on the grass, while Fairy danced around in her usual +flutterbudget way, singing at the top of her voice. + +Lilian, the practical, after one look at the great building, said +excitedly, "Grandmother, where are the keys, quick?" + +The hotel itself was a white frame building, about two hundred feet long +and three stories high. Huge pillars supported verandas that ran all +around the house on each story. Broad steps led up to the main +entrance, and at one corner was a large tower which rose for several +stories above the main part of the house. + +Although the whole place had a deserted aspect,--the shutters were all +closed, and the lawns uncared for,--yet it did not seem out of repair, +or uninhabitable. Indeed, the apparent care with which it had been +closed up and made secure was reassuring in itself, and the children +eagerly followed Lilian who had gained possession of the front door key. + +With little difficulty they succeeded in unfastening the great front +doors and threw them wide open to admit the May sunshine. + +They found themselves at first in a large hall which ran straight +through the house. It was furnished in red, with a velvet carpet and +satin brocade sofas, which seemed to the Dorrances quite the most +beautiful furnishings they had ever looked upon. + +Arched off from this hall was a good-sized room, which Leicester +declared to be the office, and as soon as the windows of that could be +thrown open, the desks and safe and other office furniture proved he was +right. Opening a wicket door, he flew in behind the great desk, and +throwing open a large book which was there, he turned it around towards +Dorothy with a flourish, and asked her to register. + +"Oh," she cried, wild with excitement, "it's just like the Sleeping +Beauty's palace. Everything is just as they went off and left it. Who +registered last, Leicester?" + +"The last is Mr. Henry Sinclair, who arrived here in July, summer before +last." + +"And nobody's been here since!" exclaimed Lilian; "just think of it! It +seems as if we ought to register." + +"You may if you like," said Leicester; "it's our register, you know." + +But the ink was all dried up, and the pens all rusty, so they left the +office and went to make further explorations. + +Across the hall from the office was the great parlor. Many hands make +light work at opening windows, and in a jiffy the parlor was flooded +with sunshine. + +Then there were more exclamations of delight, for the parlor +appointments were truly palatial. Gorgeous frescoes and wall +decorations, mirrors in heavily gilded frames, brocaded hangings, ornate +furniture, and a wonderful crystal chandelier made a general effect that +contrasted most pleasurably with Mrs. Cooper's unpretentious +drawing-room. + +Even a piano was there, and flinging it open, Dorothy struck up a brisk +two-step, and in a moment the twins were dancing up and down the long +room, while Fairy, who had been dancing all the time, simply kept on. + +Grandma Dorrance sank onto a sofa and watched her happy grandchildren, +no less happy herself. + +It was a daring experiment, and she did not know how it would turn out, +but she was glad that at last she was able to give the children, for a +time at least, that desire of their heart,--a home in the country. + +After the grand parlor, and several smaller reception rooms, all equally +attractive, they went back across the hall, and through the office to +investigate the other side of the house. Here they found the +dining-rooms. One immense one, containing a perfect forest of tables +and chairs, and two smaller ones. + +One of the smaller ones which overlooked the lake, Dorothy declared +should be their family dining-room. + +"There's more room in the big dining-room," said Lilian, slyly. + +"Yes, there is," said Dorothy; "and I _do_ hate to be cramped. Perhaps +we had better use the big one, and each one have a whole table all to +ourselves." + +"No," said Grandma Dorrance, "we'll use the small one every day, and +then some time when we invite all Mrs. Cooper's family to visit us, we +can use the large one." + +"Oh," groaned Lilian, "don't mention Mrs. Cooper's dining-room while +we're in this one." + +After the dining-rooms came the kitchens, supplied with everything the +most exacting housekeeper could desire; but all on the large scale +requisite for a summer hotel. + +"I should think _anybody_ could cook here," said Dorothy; "and as I +propose to do the cooking for the family, I'm glad everything is so +complete and convenient." + +"You never can cook up all these things," said Fairy, looking with awe +at the rows of utensils; "not even if we have seventeen meals a day." + +"_Will_ you look at the dish towels!" exclaimed Lilian, throwing open +the door of a cupboard, where hundreds of folded dish towels were +arranged in neat piles. + +At this climax, Mrs. Dorrance sank down on a wooden settle that stood in +the kitchen, and clasping her hands, exclaimed, "It's too much, girls, +it's too big; we never can do anything with it." + +"Now you mustn't look at it that way, granny, dear," said Dorothy, +brightly; "this is our home; and you know, be it ever so humble, there's +no place like home. And if a home and all its fixings are too big, +instead of too little, why, you'll have to manage it somehow just the +same. Of course, I'm overpowered too, at this enormous place, but I +won't own up to it! I will _never_ admit to _anybody_ that I think the +rooms or the house unusually large. I _like_ a big house, and I like +spacious rooms! I _hate_ to be cramped,--as possibly you may have heard +me remark before." + +"Good for you, Dot!" cried Leicester. "I won't be phased either. We're +here, and we're here to stay. We're not going to be scared off by a few +square miles of red velvet carpet, and some sixty-foot mirrors!" + +"I think the place rather small, myself," said Lilian, who rarely +allowed herself to be outdone in jesting; "I confess _I_ have a little +of that cramped feeling yet." + +At this they all laughed, and went on with their tour of the house. +Merely taking a peep into the numerous pantries, laundries, storerooms +and servants' quarters, they concluded to go at once to inspect the +bedrooms. + +"Don't go up these stairs," said Leicester turning away from the side +staircase. "Let's go back to the main hall, and go up the grand +staircase, as if we had just arrived, and were being shown to our +rooms." + +"Oh, _isn't_ it fun!" cried Fairy, as she hopped along by her brother's +side. "I never had such a fun in my whole life! Wouldn't it be awful if +we were really guests instead of purporietors?" + +"_You_ wouldn't be a guest," said Leicester, teasingly; "no +well-conducted summer hotel would take a flibbertigibbet like you to +board!" + +"Nobody would take us Dorrances to board anyway, if they could help it," +said Fairy, complacently; "we all know how obnoxiorous we are." + +"I know," said Grandma Dorrance, sighing; "and if we can only make a +little corner of this big place habitable, I shall certainly feel a +great relief in not being responsible for you children to any landlady." + +"Oh, come now, granny, we're not so bad, are we?" said Leicester, +patting the old lady's cheek. + +"You're not bad at all. You're the best children in the world. But just +so sure as you get shut up in a boarding-house you get possessed of a +spirit of mischief, and I never know what you are going to do next. But +up here I don't _care_ what you do next." + +By this time they had reached the entrance hall, and assuming the air +of a proprietor, Leicester, with an elaborate flourish and a profound +bow, said suavely: + +"Ah, Mrs. Dorrance, I believe. Would you like to look at our rooms, +madam? We have some very fine suites on the second floor that I feel +sure will please you. Are these your children, madam?" + +"We're her grandchildren," volunteered Fairy, anxious to be in the game. + +"Incredible! Such a young and charming lady with grandchildren! Now I +should have said _you_ were the grandmother," with another elaborate bow +to Fairy. + +Laughing at Leicester's nonsense, they all went up-stairs together, and +discovered a perfect maze of bedrooms. + +Scattering in different directions, the children opened door after door, +pulled up blinds, and flung open windows, and screamed to each other to +come and see their discoveries. Tessie followed the tribe around, +wondering if she were really in fairyland. The unsophisticated Irish +girl had never seen a house like this before, and to think it belonged +to the people with whom she was to live, suddenly filled her with a +great awe of the Dorrance family. + +"Do you like it, Tessie?" asked Mrs. Dorrance, seeing the girl's amazed +expression. + +"Oh, yis, mum! Shure, I niver saw anything so grand, mum. It's a castle, +it is." + +"That's right, Tessie," said Leicester; "a castle is the same as a +domain. And all these millions of bedrooms are part of our Domain. Our +very own! Hooray for the Dorrance Domain!" + +The wild cheer that accompanied and followed Leicester's hurrah must +have been audible on the other side of Lake Ponetcong. At any rate it +served as a sort of escape-valve for their overflowing enthusiasm, which +otherwise must soon have gotten beyond their control. + +"I think," said Mrs. Dorrance, "that it would be wise for you each to +select the bedroom you prefer,--for to-night at least. If you choose to +change your minds to-morrow, I don't know of any one who will object." + +"Oh!" said Lilian, "to think of changing your room in a hotel just as +often as you like, and nobody caring a bit! I shall have a different one +every night." + +"That won't be my plan," said her grandmother, laughing; "I think I +shall keep the one I'm in, for mine, and make no change." + +As it was a large, pleasant, southwest room, with a delightful view of +the lake, it was thought to be just the one for grandma, and they all +willingly agreed. + +"Do you suppose there are sheets and pillow-slips and things?" asked +Dorothy, and a pell-mell rush of four explorers soon brought about the +discovery of a wonderful linen room. + +Grandma and Tessie were called to look, and all exclaimed at the sight. +It was a large room with shelves on all four sides and the shelves were +piled with neatly-folded clean linen,--sheets, counterpanes, +towels,--everything that was necessary. + +"Whoever left this house last," said grandma, "was a wonderful +housekeeper. I should like to see her and compliment her personally." + +"Shure, it's wonderful, mum!" said Tessie, still a little dazed by the +succession of wonders. + +"Well then, children," went on grandma, "pick out your rooms, and Tessie +can make up your beds for you, and when Mr. Hickox brings the trunks, +they can be brought right up here." + +"How clever you are, grannymother," cried Dorothy, kissing her. "I said +I'd direct the arrangements,--and yet I never once thought of all that." + +"Never mind, dearie, we don't expect an old head to grow on young +shoulders all at once. And besides, you'll have enough to do +down-stairs. Did I hear you say you're going to get supper? And is +anybody going to build a fire in the kitchen?" + +"I'll build the fire," cried Leicester, "just as soon as I select my +room from the hotel clerk." + +The boy ran down the hall and in a few moments returned, saying that he +had made a selection, and would take the tower-room. + +Of course they all flew to see it, and found a large octagon-shaped +room with windows on five sides, leaving only enough wall space for the +necessary furniture. But it was a beautiful room, "just like being +outdoors," Leicester said, and they all applauded his choice. + +Just then the door-bell was heard to ring, and this gave the children a +new sensation. + +"Our own door-bell!" cried Dorothy; "only to think of that! Tessie, +please go down to the door!" and Tessie went, with the four Dorrances +following close behind her. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MR. HICKOX + + +It was Mr. Hickox who was at the door. By a winding path he had pushed +his cart full of luggage up the hill, and now expressed his willingness +to deposit the goods where they belonged. + +The big man seemed to think nothing of carrying the trunks, one after +another, up to the bedrooms; and meantime the children carried the +provisions to the kitchen. + +Although Dorothy was nominally housekeeper, and wanted to assume entire +charge of all household arrangements, Grandma Dorrance had a long and +serious talk with Mr. Hickox regarding ways and means. + +It was most satisfactory; for whenever any apparent difficulty arose, +the kind-hearted man summarily disposed of it by waving his hand and +remarking: "Don't worry. Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all +right!" + +So convincing was his attitude that Mrs. Dorrance at last felt satisfied +that there were no serious obstacles in their path; and like the +sensible lady she was, she determined to let Dorothy have full power and +manage her new home in any way she saw fit. + +Dorothy's nature was, perhaps, a little over-confident. She was not +inclined to hesitate at anything; indeed, the more difficult the +undertaking, the greater her determination to succeed. + +And so, when Mrs. Dorrance informed Mr. Hickox that Miss Dorothy was the +housekeeper, and was in authority, Dorothy rose to the occasion and +assumed at once a certain little air of dignity and responsibility that +sat well upon her. + +She, too, was encouraged by Mr. Hickox's continued assertions that it +would be all right. + +She learned from him that the nearest place where they might buy +provisions was Woodville, where a certain Mr. Bill Hodges kept a store. +His wares included everything that a country store usually deals in, +"and Bill himself," said Mr. Hickox, "is just the cleverest man in these +parts." + +"How do we get there?" asked Leicester, who had declared his willingness +to consider going to market as part of his share of the work. + +"Well, there're several ways. Haven't got a horse, have you?" Mr. Hickox +said this casually, as if he thought Leicester might have one in his +pocket. + +"No," said Leicester; "we don't own a horse. Is it too far to walk?" + +"No; 'tain't any too much of a sprint for young legs like yours. It's +two miles around by the road and over the bridge. But it's only a mile +across by the boat." + +"But we haven't any boat." + +"Haven't any boat! well I should say you had. Why there is half-a-dozen +rowboats belongs to this hotel; and a catboat too, and a sneak-box,--my +land! you've got everything but a steamboat." + +"And Captain Kane said we could use his steamboat," cried Dorothy, +gleefully; "so we've really got a whole navy at our disposal!" + +"So you have, so you have," agreed Mr. Hickox, rubbing his long hands +together, in a curious way he had; "and don't you worry. Whenever you +want anything that you can't get with your navy, Hickox'll look after +it. It'll be all right!" + +"Do you live near here, Mr. Hickox?" asked Lilian. + +"Well, yes, miss. Just a piece up the road. And if you want some nice +fresh garden truck, now and then,--just now and then;--we haven't got +enough to supply you regular." + +"We'll be very glad to have it, whenever you can spare it," said +Dorothy; "I'll send for it." + +"Well, no, Miss Dorothy. I'd some rather you wouldn't send for it. You +see Mrs. Hickox she's apt to--to be surprised at anything like that." + +"Oh, very well," said Dorothy; "bring it whenever it's convenient. We're +always glad of fresh vegetables. And eggs,--do you have eggs?" + +"Now and again,--just now and again. But when we have them to spare I'll +bring 'em. It'll be all right. Now I must jog along; Mrs. Hickox will be +surprised if I don't get home pretty soon." + +"One thing more, Mr. Hickox," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Are there ever any +burglars or marauders around this neighborhood?" + +"Land, no, ma'm! Bless your heart, don't you worry a mite! Such a thing +was never heard of in these parts. Burglars! ho, ho, well I guess not! +Why I've never locked my front door in my life, and I never knew anybody +around here that did." + +After Mr. Hickox's departure, Leicester observed thoughtfully, "What a +very surprisable woman Mrs. Hickox seems to be." + +"Yes," agreed Dorothy; "I'm anxious to see her. I think I'd like to +surprise her a few times." + +"Well, he's a nice man," said Lilian; "I like him." + +"Yes, he is nice," said Leicester; "and isn't that jolly about the +boats? I'm going right out to hunt them up." + +"Hold on, my First Gold-Stick-In-Waiting," said Dorothy; "I think you +promised to make a kitchen fire." + +"Sure enough, Major-domo," returned Leicester, gaily; "I'll do that in a +jiffy. Where's the kindling-wood?" + +"Where's the kindling-wood, indeed," returned Dorothy; "_you_'re to make +the fire, and you're also to make the kindling-wood, and the paper and +the matches! I'm not employing assistants who don't assist." + +"All right, my lady. I'll make your fire, even if I have to split up +that big settle for fire-wood." + +With a wild whoop, Leicester disappeared in the direction of the +kitchen. + +"Oh, grannymother," cried Dorothy, "isn't it splendid that we can make +just as much noise as we want to! Now you sit right here on the veranda, +and enjoy the view; and don't you budge until you're called to supper." +And with another war-whoop scarcely less noisy than her brother's, +Dorothy went dancing through the big rooms, followed by her two +sisters. + +When she reached the kitchen, she found a fine fire blazing in the +range. + +Leicester sat on the settle, with his hands in his pockets, and wearing +a complacent air of achievement. + +"Anything the matter with that fire?" he inquired. + +"How did you ever do it in such a minute?" cried his twin, gazing +admiringly at her brother. + +"Magic," said Leicester. + +"Magic in the shape of Tessie," said Dorothy, laughing, as the +good-natured Irish girl appeared from the pantry. + +"Right you are," said Leicester; "that's Tessie's own fire. And she +didn't have to split up the furniture, for she says there's lots of wood +and coal in the cellar." + +"Well, did you ever!" cried Dorothy; "I wouldn't be a bit surprised to +learn that there was a gold mine in the parlor, or a pearl fishery up in +the tower." + +"I'd rather learn that there is something to eat somewhere," said +Leicester; "I'm simply starving. What's the use of three sisters if +they can't get a fellow some supper?" + +"That's so," agreed Dorothy; "and we all must go right to work. You +can't help with this part, Leicester. You skip away now, your turn will +come later. Now girls," she went on, as Leicester vanished, not without +the usual accompaniment of an ear-splitting yell, "we're going to have +an awful lot of fun; and we can make just as much noise and racket as we +please; but all the same there's a lot of work to be done, and we're +going to do it, and do it properly. It's a great deal easier if we have +system and method, and so we'll divide up the work and each of us must +do our own part, and do it thoroughly and promptly." + +"Hear, hear!" cried Lilian, who adored her older sister, and was more +than willing to obey her commands. + +"What can I do?" screamed Fairy, who was dancing round and round the +kitchen, perching now on the window-seat, now on the table, and now on +the back or arm of the old settle. + +"We must each have our definite work," went on Dorothy, who was herself +sitting on the back of a chair with her feet on the wooden seat. "Tessie +will have her share, but she can't do everything. So there's plenty for +us to do. Grandma is not to do a thing, that's settled. If four women +and a man can't take care of one dear old lady, it's high time they +learned how." + +As the youngest of the four "women" was just then clambering up the +cupboard shelves, and singing lustily at the top of her voice, some +people might have thought that the dear old lady in question had an +uncertain outlook. But Dorothy was entirely undisturbed by the attitudes +of her audience, and continued her discourse. + +"I shall do the cooking,--that is, most of it. I'm a born cook, and I +love it; besides I want to learn, and so I'm going to try all sorts of +dishes, and you children will have to eat them,--good or bad." + +"I like to make cake and fancy desserts," said Lilian. + +"All right, you can make them. And I'll make croquettes and omelets, and +all sorts of lovely things, and Tessie can look after the boiling of +the potatoes and vegetables, and plain things like that. You haven't had +much experience in cooking, have you, Tessie?" + +"No, Miss Dorothy; but I'm glad to learn, and I'll do just whatever you +tell me." + +"Fairy can set the table, and help with the dusting. We girls will each +take care of our own rooms, and Tessie can take care of Leicester's. +I'll attend to grandma's room myself." + +"Let me help with that," said Lilian. + +"Yes, we'll all help; and we'll keep the parlors tidy, and Tessie can +wash the dishes and look after the dining-room and kitchen. Leicester +can help with the out-of-door work; the grass ought to be mowed and the +paths kept in order. But good gracious! none of this work is going to +amount to much. If we're spry, we can do it all up in less than no time, +and have hours and hours left every day to play, and read, and go out on +the lake, and tramp in the woods, and just enjoy ourselves. Oh, isn't it +great!" and jumping to the floor with a bang, Dorothy seized the hands +of the others, and in a moment all four were dancing around in a ring, +while the three Dorrance voices loudly proclaimed that there was no +place like home. + +Tessie had begun to grow accustomed to the boisterous young people, and +as she thought everything they did was nothing short of perfection, she +readily adapted herself to her own part. + +"What about the laundry-work, Miss Dorothy?" she asked. + +"Why, I don't know," said Dorothy. "I hadn't really thought of that. I +wonder if we can find a laundress anywhere around. We must ask Mr. +Hickox." + +"Now, Miss Dorothy, if you'll let me, I'm just sure I can do the washing +and ironing. With all these beautiful tubs and things, it'll be no +trouble at all, at all." + +"Why if you could, Tessie, that would be fine. Let me see, we won't have +many white dresses or fancy things, but there'll be lots of sheets and +table linen. You know we're a pretty big family." + +"Yes, miss; but I'm sure I can do it all. I'm strong, and I'm a good +washer." + +"Well, we'll try it, anyway," said Dorothy, "and see how you get along. +We girls will help a little more with your work on Mondays and Tuesdays, +and then I think it will all come out right." + +Dorothy was a singular mixture of capability and inconsequence. + +Her power of quick decision, and her confidence in her own ability, made +her words a little dictatorial; but the gentleness of her nature, and +the winning smile which accompanied her orders took from them any touch +of unpleasant authority. Dorothy's whole attitude was one of good +comradeship, and though much given to turbulent demonstration of her joy +of living, she was innately of an equable temperament and had never been +known to lose her temper. + +Lilian, on the other hand, was more excitable, and more prone to hasty +decisions which were afterwards rejected or revised. Lilian could get +very angry upon occasion, but she had a fine sense of justice; and if +she found herself in the wrong, she was more than ready to confess it +and to make amends. The two girls really exercised a good influence over +one another, and the bonds of affection between them were very strong. +Indeed the four Dorrances were a most loyal quartet; and though they +teased each other, and made fun of each other, it was always in an +honest good-humored spirit that was quite willing to take as much as it +gave. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +MRS. HICKOX + + +At six o'clock the family sat down to supper. + +Dorothy had a lingering desire to use the great dining-room, but Mrs. +Dorrance had persuaded her that it was far more sensible to use the +smaller one, and she had pleasantly acquiesced. + +Indeed the smaller one was a large apartment, about four times the size +of Mrs. Cooper's dining-room. The outlook across the lake was charming, +and the room itself prettily decorated and furnished. + +Fairy had wanted to use small tables, letting two sit at each table, but +again Grandma Dorrance had gently insisted on a family table. + +So the small tables had been taken from the room, and a good-sized round +dining-table substituted, at which Mrs. Dorrance presided. Leicester +sat opposite her, Dorothy on one side, and the two younger girls on the +other. + +Very attractive the table looked, for the china, glass and plated +silverware were all practically new, and of pretty design. Tessie was an +experienced and willing waitress; and it is safe to say that the +Dorrance family had never before so enjoyed a meal. + +Many hands had made light work, and Dorothy's had made light biscuits, +and also a delicious omelet. They had strawberry jam and potted cheese, +and some sliced boiled ham, all of which they had bought at the grocery +shop on the way up. + +"It's a sort of pick-up supper," said Dorothy; "but I'm not saying this +by way of apology. You will very often have a pick-up supper. Indeed, I +think almost always. We're going to have dinner in the middle of the +day, because that's the better arrangement in the country." + +Just at that moment, nobody seemed to care what the dinner hour might +be, so interested were they in the supper under consideration. + +"I think pick-ups are lovely," said Fairy, taking a fourth biscuit; "I +never tasted anything so good as these biscuits, and I do hope +Dorothy'll make them three times a day. They are perfectly deliciorous!" + +"You're very flattering," said Dorothy. "But I won't promise to make +them three times a day." + +"I could eat them six times a day," declared Leicester; "but I don't +want Dot to be cooking all the time. What do you think, girls, there are +lots of boats of every sort and kind. Shall we go out rowing this +evening, or wait till to-morrow?" + +"You'll wait till to-morrow," said grandma, quietly. + +"All right, grandma," said Leicester; "we'll start to-morrow morning +right after breakfast; will you go, too?" + +"No, not on your first trip. I may go with you some time later in the +season. And I'll tell you now, children, once for all, that I'm going to +trust you to go on the lake whenever you choose; with the understanding +that you're to be sensible and honorable about it. The lake is very +treacherous; and if there is the least doubt about its being safe to +venture out, you must ask Mr. Hickox about it, and if he advises you +against it, you must not go. Also I trust you to act like reasonable +human beings when you are in a boat, and not do foolish or rash things. +In a word, I trust you not to get drowned, and somehow I feel sure you +won't." + +"Good for you, grannymother!" cried Leicester; "you're of the right +sort. Why I've known grandmothers who would walk up and down the dock +wringing their hands, for fear their geese weren't swans,--no, I guess I +mean for fear their chickens weren't ducks. Well, anyhow, it doesn't +make any difference; you're the best grandmother in the world, and +always will be." + +After supper the Dorrances strolled through the hotel, and finally +seated themselves in the great parlor. + +Fairy plumped herself down in the middle of the floor, and sat +cross-legged, with her chin in her hands. + +"What's the matter, baby?" asked Leicester; "aren't these satin sofas +good enough for you?" + +"Yes, but I like to sit in the middle, and then I can look all around. I +am just goating over it." + +"Goat away; we're all doing the same thing," said Dorothy; "now +grandmother, you sit on this sofa; and I'll go 'way down to the other +end of the room, and sit on that one, and then we'll holler at each +other. It's _such_ a relief not to be cooped up in a little bunch." + +The twins seated themselves on opposite sides of the room, and then the +conversation was carried on in loud tones, that delighted the hearts of +these noise-loving young people. + +So merry were they that their laughter quite drowned the sound of the +door-bell when it rang, and before they knew it, Tessie was ushering a +visitor into the parlor. + +The great chandeliers had not been lighted, but the thoughtful Tessie +had filled and lighted several side lamps, so they were quite able to +see their somewhat eccentric-looking guest. She wore a black silk +mantilla of an old-fashioned style; and her bonnet which was loaded +with dangling black bugles, was not much more modern. She was a small, +thin little woman, with bright, snapping black eyes, and a sharp nose +and chin. + +"I'm Mrs. Hickox," she said, "and I'm surprised that you people should +come to live in this great big hotel." + +As Leicester said afterwards, if there had been any doubt as to the +lady's identity, they would have felt sure, as soon as she declared her +surprise. + +"We are glad to see you, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, rising +with her gentle grace, and extending her hand in cordial greeting to her +visitor. "Won't you be seated?" + +Mrs. Hickox sat down carefully on the edge of one of the chairs. + +"I'm surprised," she said, "that you should use this best room so +common. Why don't you sit in some of the smaller rooms?" + +"We like this," said Grandma Dorrance, quietly. "May I present my +grandchildren,--this is Dorothy." + +The four were duly introduced, and really behaved remarkably well +considering they were choking with laughter at Mrs. Hickox's continual +surprises. + +"Do you propose to live in the whole house?" asked Mrs. Hickox, after +the children had seated themselves a little more decorously than usual. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance, "my grandchildren have been cooped up in +small city rooms for so long, that they are glad to have plenty of space +to roam around in." + +"'Tisn't good for children to be left so free. It makes 'em regular +hobbledehoys. Children need lots of training. Now that Dorothy,--my +husband tells me she's head of the house. How ridiculous!" + +"Perhaps it _is_ ridiculous, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, dimpling and +smiling; "but I'm over sixteen, and that's quite a big girl, you know." + +"Oh, you're big enough for your age, but there's no sense of your +keeping house in a great big hotel like this." + +"There's no sense in our doing anything else, Mrs. Hickox," said +Leicester, coming to his sister's rescue. "We own this place, and we +can't sell it or rent it, so the only thing to do is to live in it." + +Mrs. Hickox shook her head until the jets on her bonnet rattled, and the +children wondered if she wouldn't shake some of them off. + +"No good will come of it," she said. "This hotel has had six proprietors +since it was built, and none of them could make it pay." + +"But we're not keeping a hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Grandma Dorrance, +smiling; "we're just living here in a modest, unpretentious way, and I +think my grandchildren are going to be happy here." + +"Well, that's what Mr. Hickox said; but I wouldn't believe him, and I +said I'd just come over to see for myself. It seems he was right, and I +must say I am surprised." + +Mrs. Hickox was a nervous, fidgety woman, and waved her hands about in a +continuous flutter. She was all the time picking at her bonnet-strings, +or her dress-trimmings, or the fringe of her mantilla. Indeed once she +pulled the feather of her bonnet over in front of her eyes and then +tossed it back with a satisfied smile. "I often do that," she said, "to +make sure it's there. It blew out one night, and I lost it. I found it +again and sewed it in tight, but I get worried about it every once in a +while. I'm awful fond of dress, and I hope you brought a lot of new +patterns up from the city. I've got a new-fangled skirt pattern, but I +don't like it because it has the pocket in the back. The idea! I was +surprised at that. I like a pocket right at my finger-ends all the +time." + +As Mrs. Hickox spoke she thrust her five finger-ends in and out of her +pocket so rapidly and so many times, that Dorothy felt quite sure she +would wear her precious pocket to rags. + +"What do you carry in your pocket?" asked Fairy, fascinated by the +performance. + +"Many things," said Mrs. Hickox, mysteriously; "but mostly newspaper +clippings. I tell you there's lots of good things in newspapers; and we +have a paper 'most every week, so of course I can cut out a good many. +The only trouble, cutting clippings out of a paper does spoil the paper +for covering shelves. The papers on my pantry shelves now have had some +clippings cut out of them, but I just set piles of plates over the +holes. Well, I must be going. I just came over to be sociable. I'm your +nearest neighbor, and of course up here in the country neighbors have to +be neighborly, but I'm free to confess I don't favor borrowing nor +lending. Woodville is nearer you than it is me, and I expect you'll do +your trading there." + +"Of course we shall, Mrs. Hickox," said Dorothy, flushing a little; "we +are not the sort of people who borrow from our neighbors. But Mr. Hickox +told us that you sometimes had vegetables and eggs to sell; if that is +so, we'd be glad to buy them." + +"When I have them, miss, I'll let you know," said Mrs. Hickox, shaking +her bugles more violently than ever. "But you needn't come 'round +inquiring for them; when I have them I'll let you know." + +"Thank you," said Dorothy, who was only amused, and not at all angry at +her visitor's hostile attitude. + +But Lilian could not so easily control her indignation. "We can get +vegetables and eggs at Woodville," she said. "We don't really need any +of yours." + +"Oh, well, I guess that'll be the least of your troubles," said Mrs. +Hickox, edging towards the door, with a restless, jerky gait. "You're +lucky if the tank don't burst, or the windmill get out of order, or +anything happen that will be really worth worrying over." + +By this time Mrs. Hickox had backed out and edged along until she was on +the veranda. "Good-bye," she said, awkwardly; "come to see me, when you +feel to do so; but I ain't noways set on having company. I like the +little one best, though." + +This sudden avowal so startled Fairy, that she fell off the newel-post +where she had been daintily balancing herself on one foot. As Leicester +caught her in his arms, no harm was done, but Mrs. Hickox ejaculated, +with a little more force than usual, "Well, I _am_ surprised!" + +"That's why I tumbled over," said Fairy, looking intently at Mrs. +Hickox, "'cause _I_ was so s'prised that you said you liked me best. If +you want me to, I'll come to see you with great pleasure and delight." + +"Come once in a while," said Mrs. Hickox, cautiously; "but I don't want +you racing there all the time." + +"No, I won't race there all the time," said Fairy, seriously. "I'll just +race down about once a day. Where do you live?" + +"I live in the yellow house,--the first one down the road. But you +needn't come more than once a week." + +"All right," said Fairy, cheerfully; "we'll make it Wednesdays then. I +love to have things to do on Wednesday, 'cause I used to take my music +lesson on that day, and it's so lonesome not to have anything special to +do." + +While Fairy was talking, Mrs. Hickox had shaken hands all around, and +had backed down the steps. + +"Good-bye," she said, vigorously waving both hands as she went away. + +"Well, of all queer people!" exclaimed Dorothy, as they went back to the +parlor. "I'm glad we haven't many neighbors, if they're all like that. +Mr. Hickox is funny enough, but she's funnier yet." + +"We don't care whether we have neighbors or not, we've got the Dorrance +Domain," said Leicester; "and that's enough to make us happy, and keep +us so." + +"So say we all of us," cried Lilian; "the Dorrance Domain forever!" + +As usual, this was merely a signal for a series of jubilant hurrahs, and +quiet Grandma Dorrance sat on her sofa, and listened contentedly to her +happy, if noisy brood. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE FLOATING BRIDGE + + +Next morning the young Dorrances experienced for the first time the joy +of going to market. + +Their appointed household tasks were all done first, for Dorothy had +insisted on that. Then she and Tessie had conferred as to what was +needed, and she had made out a list. + +Grandma Dorrance had decreed against a sailboat for the children alone; +but they were at liberty to go in a rowboat. + +So down the steps the four ran, and found Mr. Hickox waiting for them at +the dock. + +He had put a boat in the water for them. It was a round-bottomed boat, +but wide and roomy; easy to row and provided with two pairs of shining +oars. + +"Can any of you row?" inquired Mr. Hickox, looking uncertainly at the +children; "for I can't go along with you this morning. Mrs. Hickox, she +wants me to work in the garden,--she says the weeds are higher 'n a +kite." + +"We can row," said Leicester; "but not so very well. We haven't had much +experience, you know. But we're going to learn." + +"I thought we'd each have a boat," said Fairy; "I want to learn to row. +I want to be a 'sperinshed boat-lady." + +"You can learn to row, baby, but you can't go in a boat all by yourself +until you _have_ learned." + +"But I 'most know how now." + +"Well I'll tell you how we'll fix it; two of us will row going over, and +the other two can row coming back. To divide up evenly, suppose Dorothy +and Lilian row over, and Fairy and I will row home." This was a bit of +self-sacrifice on Leicester's part, for he was most eager to handle the +oars himself. + +Mr. Hickox quite appreciated the boy's attitude, and nodded approvingly +at him but he only said: "All right, sonny, you sit in the stern and +steer, and I make no doubt these young ladies'll row you over in fine +shape." + +Fairy was safely settled in the bow, with an admonition to sit still for +once in her life; and then Dorothy and Lilian excitedly grasped the oars +and splashed away. + +It was not very skilful rowing, but it propelled the boat, and by the +aid of Leicester's steering, they made a progressive, if somewhat zigzag +course. + +The morning was perfect. The lake calm and placid, with tiny soft +ripples all over it. The green hills sloped down to its shore on all +sides; while here and there, at long intervals, a house or a building +gleamed white among the trees. The exhilarating air, and the excitement +of the occasion roused the Dorrances' spirits far above normal,--which +is saying a great deal. + +The arms of the rowers grew very tired; partly because they were so +unused to vigorous exercise, and partly because the rowing was far more +energetic than scientific. + +But the girls didn't mind being tired, and pulled away gleefully to an +accompaniment of laughter and song. + +Leicester would have relieved them, but they had promised grandma they +would not move around or change places in the boat until they had become +more accustomed to nautical ways. + +But it was only a mile, after all, and they finally landed at Dolan's +Point, and guided the bow of their boat up on to the beach in a truly +shipshape manner. Fairy sprang out with a bound that landed her on the +dry sand; Leicester followed, and then helped the exhausted but +victorious galley-slaves to alight. + +"Isn't it glorious!" cried Dorothy, panting for breath, but aglow with +happiness. + +"Fine!" agreed Lilian, but she looked a little ruefully at eight +blisters on her pink palms. + +"That's all right," said Leicester, cheerfully; "you'll get calloused +after a while; blisters always have to come first." + +"Oh, pooh, I don't mind them a bit," protested Lilian; for the Dorrances +were all of a plucky disposition. + +On they went, following the directions given them by Mr. Hickox, and +making wonderful explorations at every turn. + +Dolan's Point seemed to be occupied principally by a large boathouse. +This belonged to a club-house, which was farther up the hill, and whose +turrets and gables shining in the morning sunlight, looked like those of +an old castle. + +Their way lay across the point, and then they were to cross a small arm +of the lake by means of a bridge. + +Dorothy had hoped for a rustic bridge, and Leicester had told her that +it would probably be two foot-planks and a hand-rail. + +But when they saw the bridge itself, they were really struck speechless +with wonder and delight. It was a floating bridge, built of logs. It was +perhaps eight feet wide, and was made by logs laid transversely and +close together. They were held in place by immense iron chains which +went alternately over and under the logs at their ends. Except at the +sides of the bridge, the logs were not visible for they were covered +with a deep layer of soil on which grew luxuriant green grass. The thick +grass had been mowed and cared for until it resembled a soft velvet +carpet. + +On either side of the bridge was a hand-rail of rope, supported at +intervals by wooden uprights. The rope rails and the uprights were both +covered with carefully trained vines. Among these were morning-glory +vines, and their pink and purple blossoms made an exquisite floral +decoration. + +Evidently the bridge was in charge of somebody who loved to care for it, +and who enjoyed keeping it in order. + +"Do you suppose we walk on it?" asked Fairy, with a sort of awe in her +voice. + +"Yes," said Leicester. "It must be meant for that; but isn't it the most +beautiful thing you ever saw!" + +It certainly was, and the children stepped on to it gently, and walked +slowly as one would walk in a church aisle. + +Although suspended at both ends, almost the whole length of the bridge +rested on the water, and swayed gently with the rippling of the lake. It +was a delicious sensation to walk on the unstable turf, and feel it move +slightly under foot. + +As they advanced further, it seemed as if they were floating steadily +along, and Fairy grasped Leicester's hand with a little tremor. When +they reached the middle of the bridge they all sat down on the grass, +and discussed the wonderful affair. + +"I shall spend most of my time here," said Dorothy; "it seems to be +public property, and I like it better than any park I have ever seen." + +"It's lovely," agreed Lilian; "I'd like to bring a book and sit here all +day and read." + +"But it's so funny," said Fairy; "it's a bridge, and it's a park, and +it's a garden, and it's a front yard,--and yet all the time it's a +bridge." + +"Well, let's go on," said Leicester. "I suppose it will keep, and we can +walk back over it. And if we don't get our marketing done, we'll be like +the old woman who didn't get home in time to make her apple-dumplings." + +"If she had found this bridge," declared Dorothy, "she never would have +gone home at all, and her story would never have been told." + +But they all scrambled up and went on merrily towards the grocery store. + +The store itself was a delight, as real country stores always are. Mr. +Bill Hodges was a storekeeper of the affable type, and expressed great +interest in his new customers. + +He regaled them with ginger-snaps and thin slivers of cheese, which he +cut off and proffered on the point of a huge shiny-bladed knife. This +refreshment was very acceptable, and when he supplemented it with a +glass of milk all around, Dorothy was so grateful that she felt as if +she ought to buy out his whole stock. + +But putting on a most housewifely air, she showed Mr. Hodges her list of +needs, and inquired if he could supply them. + +"Bless your heart, yes," he replied. "Bill Hodges is the man to purvide +you with them things. Shall I send 'em to you?" + +"Oh, can you?" said Dorothy. "I didn't know you delivered goods. I'd be +glad if you would send the bag of flour and the potatoes, but most of +the smaller things we can carry ourselves." + +"Well I swan!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges; "you're real bright, you air. +How did ye come over? Walk?" + +"No, sir," said Leicester. "We came in a rowboat; and then walked across +the Point and over the bridge. We think that bridge very wonderful." + +"And very beautiful," added Lilian. "Who keeps it so nice?" + +"And doesn't it ever fall down in the water?" asked Fairy; "or doesn't +the mud wash off, or don't people fall off of it and get drownded? and +how do you cut the grass, and how do you water the flowers? It's just +like a conservatorory!" + +As Mr. Bill Hodges was something of a talker himself, he was surprised +to be outdone in his own line by the golden-haired stranger-child, who, +apparently without effort, reeled off such a string of questions. But as +they referred to a subject dear to his heart he was delighted to answer +them. + +"That bridge, my young friends, is my joy and delight. Nobody touches +that bridge, to take care of it, but Bill Hodges,--that's me. I'm proud +of that bridge, I am, and I don't know what I'd do, if I didn't have it +to care for. I'm glad you like it; I ain't got nary chick nor child to +run across it. So whenever you young folks feel like coming over to look +at it, I'll be pleased and proud to have ye; pleased and proud, that's +what I'll be; so come early and come often, come one and come all." + +"We'll bring our grandmother over to see it," said Dorothy, "just as +soon as we can manage to do so." + +"Do," said Mr. Hodges, heartily. "Bring her along, bring her along. Glad +to welcome her, I'm sure. Now I'll go 'long and help you tote your +bundles to your boat. I don't have crowds of customers this time of day, +and I can just as well go as not." + +The kind-hearted old man filled a basket with their purchases, and +trudged along beside the children. + +"Ain't it purty!" he exclaimed as they crossed the bridge. "Oh, _ain't_ +it purty?" + +"It is," said Dorothy. "I don't wonder you love it." + +"And there ain't another like it in the whole world," went on the +prideful Hodges. "Of course there are floating bridges, but no-wheres is +there one as purty as this." + +The children willingly agreed to this statement, and praised the bridge +quite to the content of its owner. + +"Fish much?" Mr. Hodges inquired casually of Leicester. + +"Well, we haven't yet. You see we only arrived yesterday, and we're not +fairly settled yet." + +"Find plenty of fishin' tackle over to my place. Come along when you're +ready, and Bill Hodges'll fit ye out. Pretty big proposition,--you kids +shakin' around in that great empty hotel." + +"Yes, but we like it," said Leicester; "it just suits us, and we're +going to have a fine time all summer." + +"Hope ye will, hope ye will. There ain't been nobody livin' there now +for two summers and I'm right down glad to have somebody into it." + +"Why do you suppose they couldn't make it pay as a hotel?" asked +Dorothy. + +"Well, it was most always the proprietor's fault. Yes, it was the +proprietor's fault. Nice people would come up there to board, and then +Harding,--he was the last fellow that tried to run it,--he wouldn't +treat 'em nice. He'd scrimp 'em, and purty nigh starve 'em. Ye can't +keep boarders that way. And so of course the boarders kept leavin', and +so the hotel got a bad name, and so nobody wants to try a hand at it +again." + +When they reached the boat, Mr. Hodges stowed their basket away for +them, helped the children in and pushed the boat off. + +With gay good-byes and promises to come soon again, the children rowed +away. + +Leicester and Fairy took the oars this time, and Fairy's comical +splashing about made fun for them all. She soon declared she had rowed +enough for one day, but Leicester proved himself well able to get the +boat across the lake without assistance. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE HICKOXES AT HOME + + +On Wednesday morning Fairy declared her intention of visiting Mrs. +Hickox. She carried her kitten with her, and danced gaily along the +road, singing as she went. + +She found the house without any trouble, as it was the only one in +sight; and opening the front gate, she walked up the flower-bordered +path to the house, still singing loudly. She wore the kitten around her +neck as a sort of boa, and this seemed to be a satisfactory arrangement +to all concerned, for the kitten purred contentedly. + +Fairy rapped several times at the front door, but there was no answer; +so she walked leisurely around to the side of the house. There she saw +another outside door, which seemed to open into a small room or ell +attached to the house. She knocked at this door, and it was opened by +Mrs. Hickox herself, but such a different looking Mrs. Hickox from the +one who had called on them, that Fairy scarcely recognized her. Her hair +was done up in crimping pins, and she wore a short black skirt and a +loose white sacque. + +"Goodness me!" she exclaimed, "have you come traipsing over here +a'ready? What's the matter with your hotel, that you can't stay in it?" + +"There's nothing a matter with the hotel, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, +amiably; "but I said I'd come to see you on Wednesday, and so I came. +I've brought my kitten." + +"You've brought your kitten! for the land sake what did you do that for? +Don't you know this is my milk-room? The idea of a kitten in a +milk-room! Well I _am_ surprised!" + +"Oh, I think a milk-room is just the place for a kitten. Couldn't you +give her a little drink of milk, she's awfully fond of it." + +"Why I s'pose I could give her a little. Such a mite of a cat wouldn't +want much; but I do hate cats; they're such pestering creatures." + +"But this one doesn't pester, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, earnestly. +"She's such a dear good little kitty. Her name is Mike." + +"What a ridiculous name! I'm surprised that you should call her that." + +"It isn't much of a name," said Fairy, apologetically. "But you see it's +only temporaneous. I couldn't think of just the right name, so I just +call her Mike, because that's short for my kitten." + +"Mike! short for my kitten! Well so it is, but I never thought of it +before." + +"All our other animals have regular names," volunteered Fairy. "Our +dog,--his name's Dare; our two rabbits are Gog and Magog,--Leicester +named them; or at least he named one, and let Lilian name the other. +They're twins you know,--the rabbits, I mean. Then we have a canary bird +and he's named Bobab. That's a nice name, isn't it?" + +"Nice name? It's heathenish! What a queer lot of children you are, +anyway." + +"Yes, aren't we?" said Fairy, agreeably. "We Dorrances are all queer. I +guess we inheritated it from my grandpa's people, because my grandma +isn't a bit queer." + +"Oh, isn't she? I think she's queer to let you children come up here, +and do what you are doing." + +"Oh, that isn't queer. You only think my grandma queer because you don't +know her. Why, I used to think you quite queer before I knew you as well +as I do now." + +"You consider yourself well acquainted now, do you?" + +"Oh, yes; when anybody visits anybody sociaberly, like I do you, they +know each other quite well. But I think it's queer why you call this +room a milk-room." Fairy looked around at the shelves and tables which +were filled with jars and pans and baskets, and receptacles of all +sorts. The floor was of brick, and the room was pleasantly cool, though +the weather had begun to be rather warm. + +"I call it a milk-room because that's its name," said Mrs. Hickox, +shortly. + +"But _why_ is that its name?" persisted Fairy. "You keep everything +else here as well as milk. Why don't you call it the butter-room or the +pie-room?" + +"Oh, I don't know. Don't pester me so with your questions. Here's a +cookie; now I'll take you in the house, and show you the best room, and +then you must go home. I don't like to have little girls around very +much. Come along, but don't eat your cookie in the house; you'll make +crumbs. Put it in your pocket until you get out of doors again." + +"I won't pester," said Fairy; "you just go on with your work, whatever +you were doing, and I'll play around by myself." + +"By yourself! I guess you won't! Do you suppose I want a great girl like +you rampoosing around my house! I've seen you fly around! You'd upset +everything." + +"I expect I would, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, laughing. "I just certainly +can't sit still; it gives me the widgets." + +"I guess I won't take you into the best room after all, then. Like as +not you'd knock the doves over." + +"Oh, do let me go! What are the doves? I'll promise not to knock them +over, and I'll hold Mike tight so she can't get away. Oh, come, oh, +come; show me the best room!" + +As Mrs. Hickox's parlor was the pride of her life, and as she rarely had +opportunity to exhibit it to anybody, she was glad of even a child to +show it to. So bidding Fairy be very careful not to touch a thing, she +led her through the hall and opened the door of the sacred best room. + +It was dark inside, and it smelled a little musty. Mrs. Hickox opened +one of the window-blinds for the space of about two inches, but even +while she was doing so, Fairy had flown around the room, and flung open +all of the other window sashes and blinds. Then before Mrs. Hickox could +find words to express her wrath at this desecration, Fairy had begun a +running fire of conversation which left her hostess no chance to utter a +word. + +"Oh, are these the doves? How perfectly lovely!" she cried, pausing on +tip-toe in front of a table on which was a strange-shaped urn of white +alabaster, filled with gaily-colored artificial flowers. On opposite +sides of the rim of the urn were two stuffed white doves, facing each +other across the flowers. "Where did you get them? Are they alive? Are +they stuffed? What are their eyes made of? Were they your grandmother's? +Oh, one of them had his wing broken. You sewed it on again, didn't you? +But the stitches show. My sister has some glue, white glue, that would +fix that bird up just fine. When I come next Wednesday, I'll bring that +glue with me and we'll rip off that wing and fix it up all right." + +"Well, I _am_ surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "What do children like you +know about such things? But still, if you think it would do well, I'd +like to try it. I've got a newspaper clipping about that white glue, but +I never saw any. Has your grandma unpacked her dress patterns yet?" + +"I don't know," said Fairy. "I don't think she has any. We never make +our own dresses." + +"For the land sake! Why I thought they looked home-made. Well I _am_ +surprised! But hurry up and see the room, for I want to get them +shutters shut again." + +Fairy didn't see anything in the room that interested her greatly. The +red-flowered carpet, the stiff black horsehair chairs, and the +marble-topped centre-table moved her neither to admiration nor mirth. + +"I've seen it all, thank you," she said. "Do you want it shut up again? +What do you keep it so shut up for? Do you like to have it all musty and +damp? I should think some of your newspaper clippings would tell you to +throw open your windows and let in the fresh air and sunshine." + +"Why they do say that," said Mrs. Hickox; "but of course I don't take it +to mean the best room." + +"We do," said Fairy, dancing around from window to window as she shut +the blinds. "We have that great big parlor over at the Dorrance Domain +flung wide open most of the time; and the little parlors, too, and the +dining-room and all our bedrooms." + +"Well, I _am_ surprised!" said Mrs. Hickox. "It must fade your carpets +all out, doesn't it?" + +"I don't know; we haven't been there three days yet, so of course they +haven't faded very much. I guess I must go home now. Leicester went out +fishing this morning, and Dorothy and Lilian went to market, and I'm +just crazy to see what they've accumerated." + +"Well, run along," said Mrs. Hickox; "and you can come again next +Wednesday, but don't bring your kitten the next time. When you do come +again, I wish you'd bring some of that white glue you were talking +about; I would certainly like to try it. Here, wait a minute, I'll give +you some gum-drops; then you'll remember the glue, won't you?" + +"I'd remember it anyway, Mrs. Hickox; but I do love candy, +per-tickle-uly gum-drops." + +"Well, here's three; don't eat them all to-day." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Hickox," said Fairy, taking the three precious bits of +candy. Then saying good-bye, she danced away with her kitten tucked +under her arm. + +Shortly after Fairy's departure, Mr. Hickox came dawdling along towards +his own home. + +"I do declare, Hickory Hickox, if you haven't been and wasted the whole +morning, fooling with those Dorrance young ones! Now what have you been +doing?" + +"Oh, nothin' in particular. Just helpin' 'em get settled a bit. Lookin' +after their boats and things, and buildin' a little house for them +rabbits of theirs. That Leicester, he's a smart chap; handy with tools, +and quick to catch on to anything." + +"Well I _am_ surprised! Wasting a whole morning building a rabbit-coop!" + +"For the land's sake, Susan, it ain't wasted time. They pay me for all I +do for 'em, and they pay me well, too." + +"They're extravagant people. They have no business to hire you to work +around so much, when you've got plenty to do at home." + +"Oh, don't worry; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right." + +Though he spoke carelessly, Mr. Hickox was in reality much disturbed by +his wife's sharp speeches. Long years of married life with her had not +yet enabled his gentle, peace-loving nature to remain unruffled under +her stormy outbursts of temper. He stood, unconsciously and nervously +fumbling with a wisp of straw he had plucked from a near-by broom. + +"You're shiftless and idle, Hickory, and you don't know what's good for +yourself. Now do stop fiddling with that straw. First thing you know, +you'll be poking it in your ear. I cut out a newspaper clipping only +yesterday, about a man who poked a straw in his ear, and it killed him. +That's what you'll come to some day." + +"No, I won't." + +"Yes, you will! But just you remember this safe rule: never put anything +in your ear, but your elbow. But you're so forgetful. I am surprised +that a man _can_ be as forgetful as you are! Throw that straw +away,--it's safer." + +"Yes, it's safer, Susan," and Mr. Hickox threw his straw away. "And when +you sit down to dinner, I hope you will tie yourself into your chair. +You may not fall off, but it's safer." + +Mrs. Hickox gave her husband a scornful look, which was all the reply +she usually vouchsafed to his occasional shafts of mild sarcasm. + +"That big dog is a ridiculous extravagance," she went on. "He must eat +as much as a man. I am surprised that people as poor as they are should +keep such a raft of animals." + +"Why the Dorrances aren't poor." + +"Yes they are; and if they aren't they soon will be. Throwin' open that +great big house for them few people, is enough to ruin a millionaire. +That little girl says they use nearly every room in it." + +"So they do," said Mr. Hickox, chuckling; "when I went over there this +morning, they was every one in a different room; happy as clams, and +noisy as a brass band." + +"They're a terrible lot! I never saw anything like them." + +"That Dorothy is a smart one," declared Mr. Hickox, with an air of great +conviction. "Some day she'll set Lake Ponetcong on fire!" + +"I wouldn't be at all surprised," said Mrs. Hickox, which was, all +things considered, a remarkable statement. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SIX INVITATIONS + + +June came, and found the Dorrance Domain in full working order. The +experiment seemed to be proving a complete success; and the six people +who lived in the big hotel were collectively and individually happy. + +Grandma Dorrance realized that all was well, and gave the children +absolute liberty to do as they pleased from morning to night, feeling +grateful that the circumstances permitted her to do this. Besides +enjoying their happiness, the dear old lady was quite happy and +contented on her own account. The delightful bracing air made her feel +better and stronger; and the entire freedom from care or responsibility +quieted her nerves. + +Dorothy was complete mistress of the house. The responsibilities of this +position had developed many latent capabilities of her nature, and she +was daily proving herself a sensible, womanly girl, with a real talent +for administration, and much executive ability. She was very kind to +Tessie, realizing that the Irish, girl had no friends or companions of +her own class around her; but Dorothy also preserved a certain dignified +attitude, which became the relation of mistress and maid. She ordered +the household affairs with good judgment, and was rapidly becoming an +expert cook. This part of the domestic work specially appealed to her, +and she thoroughly enjoyed concocting elaborate dishes for the +delectation of her family. Sometimes these confections did not turn out +quite right; but Dorothy was not discouraged, and cheerfully threw away +the uneatable messes, and tried the same difficult recipes again, until +she had conquered them. + +The flaw in Dorothy's character was an over self-confidence; but this +was offset by her sunny good-humored disposition, and she gaily accepted +the situation, when the others teased her about her failures. + +The days passed like beautiful dreams. The family rose late, as there +was no special reason why they should rise early. The children spent +much time on the water in their rowboats, and also renewed their +acquaintance with Captain Kane, who took them frequently for a little +excursion in the _Mamie Mead_. + +But perhaps best of all, Dorothy liked the hours she spent lying in a +hammock, reading or day-dreaming. + +She was fond of books, and had an ambition to write poetry herself. This +was not a romantic tendency, but rather a desire to express in +beautiful, happy language the joy of living that was in her heart. + +She rarely spoke of this ambition to the others, for they did not +sympathize with it, and frankly expressed very positive opinions that +she was not a poet and never would be. Indeed, they said that Fairy had +more imagination and poetic temperament then Dorothy. + +Dorothy was willing to agree to this, for she in no way over-estimated +her own talent,--she was merely acutely conscious of her great desire to +write things. + +So often for a whole afternoon she would lie in a hammock under the +trees, looking across the lake at the hills and the sky, and +assimilating the wonderful beauty of it all. This dreamy side of +Dorothy's nature seemed to be in sharp contrast to her practical +energetic power of work; it also seemed incongruous with her intense +love of fun and her enjoyment of noisy, rollicking merriment. + +But these different sides reacted on each other, and combined with +Dorothy's natural frankness and honesty, made a sweet and wholesome +combination. Had Dorothy been an only child, she might have been given +too much to solitude and introspection; but by the counteracting +influences of her diverting family, and her care of their welfare, she +was saved from such a fate. + +One day she was suddenly impressed with a conviction that Grandma +Dorrance must often feel lonely, and that something ought to be done to +give her some special pleasure. + +"We all have each other," said Dorothy to the other children, "but +grandma can't go chasing around with us, and she ought to have somebody +to amuse her, at least for a time. So I think it would be nice to invite +Mrs. Thurston up here to spend a week with us." + +Mrs. Thurston was a lifelong friend of Mrs. Dorrance's, and moreover was +a lady greatly liked by the Dorrance children. + +"It would be very nice," said grandma, much gratified by Dorothy's +thoughtfulness; "I don't really feel lonely, you know; it isn't that. +But I would enjoy having Mrs. Thurston here for a time, and I am sure +she would enjoy it too." + +"Hooray for Mrs. Thurston!" shouted Leicester; "and say, Dot, I'd like +to have company too. S'pose we ask Jack Harris to come up for a few +days. I'm the only boy around these parts, and I declare I'd like to +have a chum. Meaning no slight to my revered sisters." + +"I want Gladys Miller," said Fairy. "The twins have each other, and +Dorothy has grandma, but I don't seem to have any little playmate, 'cept +Mrs. Hickox, and she's so supernumerated." + +They all laughed at this, but Dorothy said, "Why, we'll each invite one +guest. That's a fine idea! There's plenty of room, and as to the extra +work, if we all do a little more each day, it won't amount to much. I'll +ask Edith Putnam, and Lilian, of course, you'll want May Lewis." + +"Yes, of course," cried Lilian; "I'd love to have May up here. I never +once thought of it before." + +"I'll tell you what!" exclaimed Leicester. "Now here's a really +brilliant idea. Let Tessie invite some friend of hers too, and then she +can help you girls with the work." + +"That _is_ a good idea," said Grandma Dorrance, approvingly. "We'd have +to have extra help, with so many more people, and if Tessie has any +friend who would like to come for a week, it would be very satisfactory. +Of course we will pay her wages." + +"Wowly-wow-wow!" exclaimed Leicester; "won't we have rackets! I say, +Dot, give Jack that other tower room, right over mine, will you? He'd +like it first-rate." + +"Yes, and we'll give Mrs. Thurston that big pleasant room next to +grandma's. Tessie and I will begin to-day to get the rooms ready." + +"Hold on, sis, don't go too fast; you haven't had any acceptances yet to +the invitations you haven't yet sent!" + +"No, but they'll all come fast enough; we'll each write to-day, and +we'll tell the people to get together, and all come up in a bunch," said +Lilian. "I know May Lewis's mother wouldn't let her come alone, but with +Mrs. Thurston, it will be all right." + +"And Captain Kane can bring the whole crowd up from the station," said +Leicester; "and we'll row down to the lock to meet them. And we'll have +flags and bonfires and Chinese lanterns for a celebration. There's lots +of Chinese lanterns up in one of the storerooms,--we'll just have to get +some candles. Jiminy! won't it be fun!" + +"Perhaps it will be too hard on you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Dorrance; +"doubling the family means a great deal of extra cooking, you know." + +"Oh, that will be all right, grannymother; and perhaps the lady Tessie +invites will be able to help out with the cooking." + +"Gladys's room must be next to mine," said Fairy, "so we can be +sociarbubble. I shall take her to see Mrs. Hickox the first thing, and +she'll proberly give us two gum-drops apiece." + +Fairy's friendship with Mrs. Hickox was a standing joke in the family, +and that lady's far from extravagant gifts of confectionery caused great +hilarity among the younger Dorrances. + +Full of their new project, they all flew to write their letters of +invitation, and within an hour the six missives were ready, and +Leicester volunteered to row over to Woodville with them. Tessie was +delighted at the prospect, when Dorothy explained it to her. + +"Shure, I'll ask me mother," she exclaimed; "she's afther bein' a fine +cook, Miss Dorothy, an' yez'll niver regret the day she comes. Indade, +she can turn her hand to annythin'." + +Although Tessie was a superior type of Irish girl, and usually spoke +fairly good English, when excited, she always dropped into a rich +brogue which greatly delighted the children. + +"Just the thing, Tessie; write for your mother at once, or I'll write +for you, if you like, and I hope she'll come up with the rest of them." + +"Shure, she will, Miss Dorothy; she lives all alone an' she can come as +aisy as not. An' she's that lonesome for me, you wouldn't believe! Och, +but she'll be glad of the chance." + +Feeling sure that most if not all of their guests would accept the +invitations, Dorothy, Lilian and Tessie,--more or less hindered by +Fairy, who tried hard to help,--spent the afternoon arranging the +bedrooms. It was a delightful task, for everything that was needed +seemed to be at hand in abundance. The hotel when built, had been most +lavishly and elaborately furnished, even down to the smallest details. +The successive proprietors had apparently appreciated the value of the +appointments, and had kept them in perfect order and repair. Moreover, +as their successive seasons had been a continuous series of failures, +and few guests had stayed at the hotel, there had been little wear and +tear. + +Although Mrs. Hickox had not lost her grudging demeanor regarding her +eggs and vegetables, yet Fairy was able to wheedle some flowers from her +now and then, with the result that the Dorrance Domain had assumed a +most attractive and homelike general effect. + +Of course, the individual rooms showed the taste and hobbies of their +several owners; while the large parlor which the family had come to use +as a general living-room had entirely lost all resemblance to a hotel +parlor, and had become the crowning glory of the Dorrance Domain. The +Dorrances had a way of leaving the impress of their personality upon all +their belongings; and since the big hotel belonged to them, it had +necessarily grown to look like their home. + +"I think," said Dorothy, "if they all come, it would be nicer to use the +big dining-room." + +"And the little tables," cried Fairy; "two at each one, you know. Me and +Gladys at one, and Leicester and Jack at another, and grandma and----" + +"Oh, no, Fairy," said grandma, "that wouldn't be nice at all. It +wouldn't even be polite. Use the big dining-room, if you wish, but let +us all sit at one table. Surely, you can find a table big enough for +ten." + +"Oh, yes," cried Leicester; "there are a lot of great big round +table-tops in the storeroom. They're marked 'banquet tables'; one of +those will be just the thing." + +"What do you do with a table-top, if it doesn't have any legs?" asked +Fairy. "Do you put it on the floor, and all of us sit on the floor +around it, like turkeys?" + +"I suppose you mean Turks," said Leicester, instructively; "but no, we +don't arrange it just that way. We simply put the big round table-top on +top of the table we are now using, and there you are!" + +"It will be beautiful," said Dorothy. "I do love a round table. You can +make it look so lovely with flowers and things. I hope they'll all +come." + +Dorothy's hopes were fulfilled, and every one of the six who were +invited sent a delighted acceptance. Tessie's mother, perhaps, +expressed the most exuberant pleasure, but all seemed heartily glad to +come. + +They were invited for a week, and were expected to arrive one Thursday +afternoon at about four o'clock. + +Vast preparations had been made, for every one was interested especially +in one guest, and each made ready in some characteristic way. + +Dorothy, as housekeeper, spent all her energies on the culinary +preparations. She delighted the heart of Mr. Bill Hodges by her generous +orders, and she and Tessie had concocted a pantry-full of good things +for the expected visitors. + +Lilian had put the hotel in apple-pie order, and given finishing touches +to the guests' rooms, and Fairy had performed her part by inducing Mrs. +Hickox to let them have an extra lot of flowers. These flowers were all +of old-fashioned varieties which grew luxuriantly in Mrs. Hickox's +garden; and arranged with Lilian's exquisite taste, and by her deft +fingers, they made really lovely decorations for parlor, dining-room and +bedrooms. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +GUESTS FOR ALL + + +As the guests would reach the Dorrance Domain by daylight, Leicester's +plan of illuminating the grounds was scarcely feasible. But he had hung +the Chinese lanterns on the veranda, and among the trees, and had put +candles inside them, so they could light them up, and have their +celebration in the evening. + +It was arranged that the twins should row down to meet the _Mamie Mead_ +and then get on board, and escort the guests up the lake, towing their +own rowboat. + +Dorothy preferred to stay at home, to attend to some last important +details in the kitchen, and Fairy said she would sit with grandma on the +veranda, and await the arrival. + +Soon after four o'clock, Fairy ran into the house screaming to Dorothy +that the _Mamie Mead_ was in sight. This gave Dorothy ample time to run +up-stairs for a final brush to her hair, and a final adjustment of her +ribbons, and there was no air of a flurried or perturbed housekeeper +about the calm and graceful girl who sauntered out on the veranda to +greet her guests. + +Fairy danced half-way down the steps to the dock, and then danced back +again hand-in-hand with Gladys Miller. The others came up more slowly, +and Grandma Dorrance rose with pleasure to welcome her dear friend Mrs. +Thurston. + +Then there was a general chorus of excited greetings all around. + +The newcomers were so astonished and delighted at the novelty of the +situation, that they could not restrain their enthusiasm; and the +residents of the Dorrance Domain were so proud and happy to offer such +unusual hospitality, that they too, were vociferously jubilant. + +But the stranger among the newcomers was of such appalling proportions +that Dorothy couldn't help staring in amazement. + +Tessie's mother was quite the largest woman she had ever seen, and +Dorothy privately believed that she must be the largest woman in the +whole world. She was not only very tall, and also very broad, but she +had an immense frame, and her muscles seemed to indicate a powerfulness +far beyond that of an ordinary man. + +To this gigantic specimen of femininity Dorothy advanced, and said +pleasantly: "I suppose this is Kathleen?" + +"Yis, mum; an' it's proud I am to be wid yez. The saints presarve ye, +fur a foine young lady! An' wud yez be's afther showin' me to me +daughter? Och, 'tis there she is! Tessie, me darlint, is it indade +yersilf?" + +Tessie had caught sight of her mother, and unable to control her +impatience had run to meet her. Though Tessie was a fair-sized girl she +seemed to be quite swallowed up in the parental embrace. Her mother's +arms went 'round her, and Leicester exclaimed, involuntarily, "Somebody +ought to rescue Tessie! she'll have every bone cracked!" + +But she finally emerged, unharmed and beaming with happiness, and then +she led her mother away to the kitchen, the big woman radiating joy as +she went. + +"She jars the earth," said Jack Harris; "as long as she's on this side, +the lake is liable to tip up, and flood this place of yours. But I say, +Less, what a magnificent place it is! Do you run the whole +shooting-match?" + +"Yes, we do," said Leicester, trying to look modest and unostentatious. +"It isn't really too big, that is,--I mean,--we like it big." + +"Like it? I should think you would like it! It's just the greatest ever! +I say, take me in the house, and let me see that, will you?" + +The girls wanted to go too, and so leaving the elder ladies to chat on +the veranda, the children ran in, and the Dorrance Domain was exhibited +to most appreciative admirers. + +Jack Harris was eager to see it all; and even insisted on going up +through the skylight to the roof. This feat had not before been thought +of by the Dorrance children, and so the whole crowd clambered up the +narrow flight of stairs that led to the skylight, and scrambled out on +the roof. Dorothy's dignity was less observable just now, and she and +Edith Putnam romped and laughed with the other children as if they were +all of the same age. The view from the roof was beautiful, and the place +really possessed advantages as a playground. There was a railing all +around the edge, and though the gables were sloping, many parts of the +roof were flat, and Jack declared it would be a lovely place to sit on a +moonlight night. + +Then down they went again, and showing the guests to their various +rooms, made them feel that at last they were really established in the +Dorrance Domain. This naturally broke the party up into couples, and +Leicester carried Jack off to his own room first, to show him the many +boyish treasures that he had already accumulated. + +Fairy flew around, as Jack Harris expressed it, "like a hen with her +head off," and everywhere Fairy went, she dragged the more slowly moving +Gladys after her, by one hand. Gladys was devoted to Fairy, and admired +her thistledown ways; but being herself a fat, stolid child, could by +no means keep up to Fairy's pace. + +Dorothy took Edith Putnam to her room, and being intimate friends the +two girls sat down together, and became so engrossed in their chat, that +when nearly a half-hour later, Lilian and May Lewis came in to talk with +them, Edith had not yet even taken off her hat. + +Although dear friends of the Dorrances', Edith and May were of very +different types. + +Edith Putnam was a round, rosy girl, very pretty and full of life and +enthusiasm. She was decidedly comical, and kept the girls laughing by +her merry retorts. She was bright and capable, but disinclined for hard +work, and rather clever in shifting her share of it to other people's +shoulders. + +May Lewis, on the other hand, was a plain, straightforward sort of girl; +not dull, but a little diffident, and quite lacking in self-confidence. +Not especially quick-witted,--yet what she knew, she knew thoroughly, +and had no end of perseverance and persistence. She was of a most +unselfish and helpful disposition, and Lilian well knew that without +asking, May would assist her at her household tasks during the visit, +and would even do more than her share. + +Dorothy frankly explained to the girls what the household arrangements +were in the Dorrance Domain, and said, that since certain hours of the +day must be devoted to regular work by the Dorrance sisters, the guests +would at such times be thrown upon their own resources for +entertainment. + +"Not I!" cried Edith; "I shall help you, Dorothy, in everything you have +to do while I'm here. Indeed, I just think I'll do up your chores for +you, and let you take a rest. I'm sure you need one. Not that you look +so; I never saw you look so fat and rosy in your life; but you mustn't +work too hard just because you have company. You mustn't do a single +thing extra for us, will you?" + +"You mustn't dictate to your hostess, miss," returned Dorothy, gaily; +"and I hardly think you can assist me very much, for I look after the +cookery part, and I think you've given me to understand that you detest +cooking. Also, I most certainly shall do extra things while you're +here. It is my pleasure to entertain my guests properly," and Dorothy +smiled in her most grown-up manner. + +"Good gracious! Dorothy Dorrance, did your manners come with your +Domain, or where did you get that highfalutin air of yours?" + +"Oh, that was put on purposely to impress you with my importance," said +Dorothy, dimpling into a little girl again. "But truly, I must skip down +to the kitchen now, and see if my Parker House rolls are rising, rose or +having risen. No, you can't come, Edith; you'd spoil the rolls,--though +you'd do it in a most well-meaning way. Now you girls all go out, and +disport yourselves on the lawn, while I do my noble duty. Though I'm +free to confess I'm scared to death of that awe-inspiring mother-person +that Tessie has imported." + +"I think she'll be helpful," said May Lewis. "She came up with us you +know, and really she's wonderful. She looked after us all, and she's as +funny as a red wagon." + +"Red wagon!" exclaimed Edith; "she's nearer the size of a red +automobile, and she has the same kind of energy that automobiles are +said to have. I don't own one myself, so I don't know." + +"I don't own one either," said Dorothy, "so I don't know how to manage +one. But I suppose I must make a try at managing the bulky Kathleen,--so +I may as well start." + +The whole troop ran down the wide staircase, except Fairy, who slid down +the banister, and leaving the others in the hall, Dorothy ran away to +the kitchen. + +There she found Kathleen proceeding in a manner quite in accordance with +her appearance. She had assumed immediate and entire charge of the +supper preparations, and was ordering Tessie about in a good-natured, +but domineering way. + +"Lave me have a bit o' red pepper, darlint," she was saying, as Dorothy +came in; "this dhressin' is flat for the want of it. Ah, Miss Dorothy, +is that you, thin? an' I'm jist afther shlappin' together yer +salad-dhressin'. I obsarved the things all shtandin' ready an' I +whacked 'em up." + +"Why, that was very kind of you, Kathleen," said Dorothy; "it has helped +me a great deal. Where are my rolls, Tessie?" + +"They was risin' too fast, miss," said Kathleen, entirely ignoring her +daughter's presence, "an' I set 'em in the pantry forninst, to kape 'em +back." + +"Good for you, Kathleen! you're a jewel. I was afraid those things would +get too light. Now, if you'll get them for me, I'll mould them over." + +"Shure, I moulded them over, miss. They're all ready to bake, an' it's +Kathleen as'll bake 'em for ye." + +"Well," said Dorothy, laughing, "there doesn't seem to be anything left +for me to do. Will you dress the salad, Kathleen?" + +"I will that, miss! Now don't bother yer purty head anny more about the +supper. Shure, it's Kathleen will attind to it all, intoirely. This +shcapegrace, Tessie, will show me where things do be, an' yez needn't +show so much as the tip av yer nose, until it's all on the table." + +"Kathleen, you're an angel in disguise, and not much disguised at that. +Now look here, I'm very practical, and if you're going to stay here a +week, we may as well understand each other from the start. I'd be +delighted to leave this supper entirely in your hands; but are you sure +that you can do everything satisfactorily? I'm rather particular, as +Tessie can tell you, and to-night, I want everything especially nice, +and well-served, in honor of my guests." + +"Now, there's talk for ye! You're the right kind of a lady to wurruk +for. But, ye need have niver a fear; Kathleen'll do iverything jist as +foine as yersilf or yer lady grandmother cud be afther desirin'." + +"Very well, Kathleen, I shall trust you with the whole affair then. You +can broil chickens, of course?" + +"To a turrn, miss." Kathleen's large face was so expressive as she said +this (and there was so much room on her face for expression), that +Dorothy felt no further doubts as to the chickens. + +She ran from the kitchen, laughing, and joined the group on the veranda. + +"I'm a lady of leisure," she announced gaily; "that large and altogether +delightful piece of architecture, called Kathleen, insists upon cooking +the supper, over which I had expected to spend a hard-working hour." + +"Jolly for Kathleen!" exclaimed Leicester, throwing his cap high in the +air, and catching it on his head; "I do hate to have Dot working for her +living, while we're all enjoying ourselves." + +"Jolly for Kathleen!" echoed Jack Harris; "the lady of magnificent +distances." + +And though Grandma Dorrance did not join audibly in the general hurrah, +she was no less glad that her pretty Dorothy was relieved from household +drudgery on that particularly merry occasion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AN UNWELCOME LETTER + + +The week at the Dorrance Domain passed all too quickly, in the opinion +of the happy young people. + +There was so much to do, and every day seemed to bring new pleasures. +The weather was of the most beautiful June variety, and the lake was as +smooth as glass and most pleasant to ride upon. + +One day they all went out in rowboats, and called themselves a regatta. +Another day, Captain Kane took them all for a sail in the _Mamie Mead_. + +But perhaps the nicest outing of all, was the day they had a picnic on +the floating bridge. They carried their luncheon, and camped out on the +bridge to eat it. Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to grant them permission +to do this, and brought them some fruit from his store as an addition to +their feast. + +"It's the strangest thing," said Edith Putnam, "to be on the land and on +the water at the same time. Here we are, sitting on what seems to be +good solid grass and earth; and yet if you dug a hole in it, you'd +strike the lake right away." + +"You'd strike logs first," corrected Jack Harris; "but if you bored +through the logs you'd come to the water." + +"It's perfectly lovely to feel the little swaying motion," said May +Lewis, who in her quiet way was greatly enjoying the novel experiences. +"I shall hate to go back to the city. How I envy you, Lilian, with a +whole summer of this before you." + +"But you're going away with your mother, next month, aren't you?" + +"Yes; but we'll be cooped up in one or two little rooms at some seashore +place; it is very different from having a whole hotel all to yourself." + +"Indeed it is," said Dorothy; "we certainly did the wisest thing when we +came up here this summer. And now that Kathleen is here, I have almost +nothing to do in the kitchen, and the rest of the housework that I do +have to look after is so light that I don't mind it a bit." + +"That's because you're so clever," said Edith, sighing; "you're +systematic and orderly, and have everything arranged just so. I don't +see how you do it. I should forget half the things, and get the other +half all mixed up." + +"I believe you would," said Dorothy, laughing. "And I did get somewhat +mixed up at first. But I learned by experience, and besides I was just +_determined_ that I would succeed. Because I proposed the whole scheme, +and of course, I wanted it to be a success." + +"And it is a success," returned Edith; "and you have made it so. You +have lots of perseverance in your nature, Dorothy." + +"It's nice of you to call it by that name," said Dorothy; "but I think +it's just stubbornness. I've always been stubborn." + +"We all are," said Leicester; "it's a Dorrance trait. Grandmother hasn't +much of it, but Grandfather Dorrance was a most determined old +gentleman." + +"There's only one thing that's bothering me, about our good times," said +Dorothy. "And that is, that grandma can't enjoy them as much as we do. +She doesn't care about going in the boats, and she can't take the long +walks that we can." + +"It would be nice if you had a horse," said May; "then she could go for +a drive sometimes." + +"That would be lovely," agreed Dorothy; "but I know we couldn't afford +to buy a horse. We haven't very much money. That's the main reason we +came up here, because grandma said we couldn't afford to go to the +places we used to go to." + +"But you might hire a horse," suggested Jack; "you have a barn." + +"Yes, there is a small barn," said Leicester. "I think it would be great +to hire a horse; that wouldn't cost much, Dot." + +"No," said Dorothy, "I don't believe it would. But who'd take care of +the horse, and who'd drive grandma around?" + +"Why, I can drive," said Leicester, "or if grandma wouldn't trust me, +Mr. Hickox could drive her. He could take care of the horse, too." + +"It's a good idea," said Dorothy; "let's go and ask Mr. Hodges about it +now; he always knows about things of that sort." + +The whole crowd scrambled to their feet, and ran gaily towards Mr. +Hodges' place. They were not surprised, when he declared he had just the +thing for them. A fat, amiable old horse, who was well accustomed to the +steep mountain roads, and guaranteed perfectly safe; also a light +road-wagon that would hold four, and that was very easy and comfortable. +He would rent them this turn-out for ten dollars a week, and he declared +that they would find it most convenient; not only for pleasure drives, +but for going to market or other errands. Indeed, he said, that the +proprietor who had last tried to run the hotel, had engaged that horse +for the season. + +It struck Dorothy as a good plan; and being always quick at decisions, +she agreed then and there to take the horse and carriage for a week, +saying she felt sure that Grandma Dorrance would approve. + +Leicester said he would drive it home, and any of the girls who wished +to, could go with him, the rest going back in the boats. Dorothy said +she would go with him, as she wanted to tell grandma about it herself. + +As Fairy expressed a great desire to ride behind the new horse, she and +Gladys were tucked in the back seat, and they started off. + +Such a ride as it was. The hills were very steep, "perfectly +perpendickle," Fairy called them, and if the old horse had not known +just how to walk on the mountain roads, accidents might very easily have +happened. + +As it was they reached home safely, and drove up triumphantly to the +Dorrance Domain where grandma and Mrs. Thurston were sitting on the +veranda. + +As the children had surmised, grandma was delighted with the opportunity +to drive about, but said that she would feel safer if Mr. Hickox held +the reins. + +As Mr. Hickox was never very far away, he had observed the horse's +arrival, and came over to inquire into the matter. + +The explanation pleased him, and he said amiably, "Don't worry. +Hickox'll look after the horse; it'll be all right." + +So Grandma Dorrance arranged with Mr. Hickox, by an addition to the +payment they made him for his various services, to take care of the +horse, and to drive them whenever they might require him to. Then she +and Mrs. Thurston planned to go for a drive that very afternoon. + +As the Dorrance children were fond of all animals, the horse at once +became a great pet, and though the elder ladies never went out except +with Mr. Hickox, the young people went early and often, and both Dorothy +and Leicester soon learned to be good and careful drivers. + +With another diversion added to their catalogue of pleasures, the days +flew by faster than ever, and although the guests stayed a fortnight +instead of only a week, everybody was sorry when the day came for them +to depart. + +"It has been all pleasure," said Dorothy, "and not a bit of trouble; for +you all made yourselves so handy and helpful that it was just like one +big family." + +"It has been a great treat to me," said Mrs. Thurston. "I have enjoyed +every minute of it, and I have improved wonderfully in health and +strength. I think you are a wonder, Dorothy; not many girls of sixteen +have your powers of management. It is a gift, just as other talents are, +and you not only possess it, but you have appreciated and improved it." + +Dorothy blushed at Mrs. Thurston's kind praise, and inwardly resolved, +that since Mrs. Thurston considered her household capability a talent, +she certainly would endeavor to cultivate and improve it. + +So the guests all went away, except Kathleen. + +She begged so hard to be allowed to stay for a time longer, that Mrs. +Dorrance consented. + +"Shure, it isn't the wages I do be afther wantin', mum, but I likes to +shtay here, an' I'll do all the wurruk for me boord." + +This seemed a fair arrangement, as Kathleen really wanted to stay with +her daughter, and the Dorrances were very glad of the big woman's +services. She was an indefatigable worker, and really seemed to enjoy +all sorts of hard work. She would rise early in the morning, and wash +windows or scrub floors before breakfast time. She was so capable and +willing, that it seemed as if she fairly took charge of the entire +family; and she was so large and strong that no hard work baffled her, +and no exertion tired her. + +Although the Dorrances naturally missed their guests, yet when they were +alone again they were by no means lonely. They were a host in +themselves; the children were congenial and thought there was nobody +quite so nice as each other. + +The days went by happily, and each one only made them more glad that +they owned the Dorrance Domain and that they had come to live in it. + +It was the third week in June when Grandma Dorrance received a letter +from Mr. Lloyd, the contents of which were far from pleasant. + +She called the children together in the great parlor, which they had +come to use as a living-room, and her pale face quite frightened +Dorothy. + +"What is the matter, grannymother dear?" she said. "Has Mr. Lloyd found +some one who wants to rent the hotel, and must we vacate at once?" + +"Oh, don't mention such a calamity as that," cried Leicester; "if a man +came up here to rent this hotel I should tell him to march right +straight back again. The house is engaged for the season." + +"It's far worse than that, children dear," said grandma; "Mr. Lloyd +tells me in his letter that a great deal of repairing is necessary in +the Fifty-eighth Street house. This will cost a great deal of money, and +I have not enough to pay the bills." + +Mrs. Dorrance looked so pathetically helpless as she made this +admission, that Dorothy flew to her and kissed her, exclaiming, "Don't +worry, grandma dear, it must all come out right somehow, for you know we +are saving money this summer." + +"I'm not so sure of that, Dorothy; I'm afraid we've been rather +extravagant of late. Having so much company for a fortnight, was really +very expensive; and the horse is an added expense, and the two +servants,--and altogether I feel quite sure we have spent more money +than we could well afford." + +"I never once thought of it, grandma," said Dorothy; "I just ordered the +things that I thought it would be nice to have, and I didn't realize how +the bills would count up. Are they very big?" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance. "Mr. Hodges' bill is quite three times as +much as I had allowed for it; and I owe Mr. Hickox as much more. He has +done a great deal of work for us, you know, and of course he must be +paid." + +"Oh, isn't it dreadful," said Lilian, "to have our lovely summer spoiled +by money troubles!" + +At this Fairy began to cry. The Dorrances didn't often cry, but when +they did, they did it quite as noisily as they did everything else; and +Fairy's manner of weeping, was to open her mouth as widely as possible +in a succession of loud wails, at the same time digging her fists into +her eyes. + +She presented such a ridiculous picture that the children couldn't help +laughing. + +"Do stop that hullaballoo, baby," implored Leicester, "or we'll be so +anxious to get rid of you that we'll offer you to Mr. Bill Hodges in +settlement of his account." + +Fairy was not seriously alarmed by this awful threat, but she stopped +crying, because she had suddenly thought of a way out of the difficulty. + +"I'll tell you how we can get some money," she said earnestly; "sell the +horse!" + +The other children laughed at this, but Grandma Dorrance said gently, +"We can't do that, dear, for the horse isn't ours. We can't sell the +hotel, for nobody seems to want it; so I can't see any way by which we +can get any money except to sell the Fifty-eighth Street house." + +The children looked aghast at this, for it was their cherished dream +some day to return to the big city house to live. They didn't quite know +how this was to be accomplished, but they had always thought that when +Leicester began to earn money, or perhaps if Dorothy became an author, +they would be able to return to the old home. + +And so Grandma Dorrance's announcement fell on them like a sudden and +unexpected blighting of their hopes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +FINANCIAL PLANS + + +Dorothy felt it the most. As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of +responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the +family fortunes, but just how she did not know. She well knew how +difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially +trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she +would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of +misfortune. And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not +ready for it. She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she +would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the +question. + +Leicester, on the other hand, took a more cheerful view of the +situation. + +"Oh, I don't believe we'll have to sell the house," he said. "It isn't +so bad as that, is it, grandma?" + +"I don't know, Leicester," said the old lady helplessly; "I never did +know much about business matters, and now I feel more confused than ever +when I try to straighten them out." + +"But if we could just get through this summer, grandmother, when we go +back to the city in the fall I feel sure I can get a position of some +kind and earn a salary that will help us all out." + +"You are a good boy, Leicester," said Mrs. Dorrance; "but it is very +uncertain about your getting a position; and too, I don't want you to +leave school yet." + +"No, indeed," said Dorothy. "It wouldn't be right for Leicester to leave +school at fourteen; and anyway, I think he ought to go through college. +Now I am sixteen, and I have education enough for a girl. So I'm the one +to get a position of some kind in the fall, and earn money to help +along." + +"What could you do?" asked Lilian looking at her sister. She had ample +faith that Dorothy could do anything she wanted to, and was merely +anxious to know in which direction she would turn her talents. + +"I don't know," said Dorothy, very honestly; "skilled labor is the only +thing that counts nowadays, and I'm really not fitted for anything. I +would like best to write things; but I don't believe anybody would buy +them,--at least, not at first. So I suppose the only thing that I could +do would be to go into a store." + +"And sell candy?" asked Fairy, with a dawning interest in the plan. + +"Don't talk like that, Dorothy dear," said grandma, gently; "of course I +wouldn't let you go into a store, and also, I'm very much afraid that +your poetry wouldn't find a ready market. That may come later, but it +will probably be after years of apprenticeship." + +"Well, something must be done," said Dorothy decidedly; "and you can't +do it, grandma; so we children must. I think we are old enough now to +take the responsibility off of your shoulders; or at least to help you +in these troubles." + +"I wish you could, my dear child, but I fear there is no practical way +by which we can raise the money that I must have, except to sell the +city house. It seems like a great sacrifice for a small reason; for you +see if we just had money enough to pay our living expenses this summer, +I could manage, I think, to come out nearly even by fall. But there is +no way to provide for our living this summer, that I can see." + +"Now I'm getting a clearer understanding of the case," said Leicester; +"then if we children could earn money enough this summer to run the +Dorrance Domain, we'd come out all right?" + +"Yes, I think so, but how could you earn any?" + +"I don't know," said Leicester, "but I've often read how other boys +earned money,--and country boys, too. We might pick huckleberries and +sell them, or we might raise a garden and sell things." + +"Who would you sell them to?" asked Lilian, who was always practical. +"Now I think a more sensible way would be to economize. Send away Tessie +and Kathleen both; and then get along with fewer good things to eat. You +know we've had everything just as we wanted it, and I'm sure we could +cut down our table expenses. Then we could give up the horse,--although +he is a dear----" + +At this Fairy's wails began again, for she was devotedly attached to old +Dobbin, the horse, and couldn't bear to think of parting with him. + +"I think," said Grandma Dorrance, "that we will have to ask Mr. Lloyd to +come up here and advise us; and then whatever he thinks best, we will +do." + +"Don't you have to pay Mr. Lloyd for his advice?" asked Dorothy, +suddenly struck by the thought of what seemed to her an unnecessary +expense. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dorrance; "that is, I pay him for attending to all of +my business, and of course that includes his advice." + +"I suppose we couldn't get along without him," said Dorothy, sighing; +"but it does seem awful to pay him money that we need so much +ourselves." + +Mrs. Dorrance had a happy faculty of deferring unpleasant things to some +future time; and not worrying about them meanwhile. + +"Well," she said, "I will write to Mr. Lloyd to-morrow, and ask him to +come up here; or if he can't come, to write me a letter advising me what +to do. And until he comes, or his letter comes, we can't do anything in +the matter, and there is no use worrying over it. I'd hate to discharge +the servants, for you girls couldn't get along without anybody to help; +and if we keep Tessie, Kathleen is no added expense, for her work well +pays for her board." + +This was not quite logical, but all were too miserable to notice it. For +once the Dorrances went up-stairs to their beds without any whoops or +hurrahs for Dorrance Domain. + +As they were going up the great staircase, Lilian offered another of her +practical, if not very attractive suggestions. + +"We could," she said, "shut up the Domain, and all go to board with Mrs. +Hickox for the rest of the summer. I'm sure she'd take us quite +cheaply." + +At this Leicester started the old Dorrance groan, which had not been +heard before since their arrival at Lake Ponetcong. + +They all joined in heartily, and groaned in concert, in loud, horrible +tones that echoed dismally through the long corridors. + +It was characteristic of their different natures that Grandma Dorrance +went to bed, and immediately fell asleep in spite of her anxiety about +her affairs; while Dorothy lay awake far into the night pondering over +the problem. + +She could form no plan, she was conscious only of a dogged determination +that she would somehow conquer the existing difficulties, and +triumphantly save the day. + +She thought of Lilian's practical suggestions, and though she admitted +them practical, she could not think them practicable. Surely there must +be some way other than boarding at Mrs. Hickox's, or living on bread and +tea. + +"At any rate," she thought to herself as she finally fell asleep, +"nothing will be done until Mr. Lloyd is heard from, and that will give +me at least two or three days to think of a plan." + +But try as she would, the next day and the next, no acceptable plan +would come into Dorothy's head. + +"We are the most helpless family!" she thought to herself, as she lay in +the hammock under the trees. "There is positively nothing that we can +do, that's of any use. But I will do something,--I _will_! I WILL!" and +by way of emphasizing her determination she kicked her heel right +through the hammock. + +The other children did not take it quite so seriously. They were +younger, and they had a hazy sort of an idea that money troubles always +adjusted themselves, and somehow got out of the way. + +Leicester and Dorothy talked matters over, for though younger, he +considered himself the man of the house, and felt a certain +responsibility for that reason. But he could no more think of a plan +than Dorothy could, and so he gave the problem up in despair, and +apparently Dorothy did also. + +However, even a serious trouble like this, was not sufficient to cast +down the Dorrances' spirits to any great extent. + +They went their ways about as usual; they rowed and fished and walked +and drove old Dobbin around, while their faces showed no sign of gloom +or depression. That was the Dorrance nature, to be happy in spite of +impending disaster. + +Mr. Lloyd's letter came, but instead of helping matters, it left them in +quite as much of a quandary as ever. He said that it would be impossible +to sell the town house during the summer season. That the repairs must +be made, or the tenants would not be willing to stay. He advised Mrs. +Dorrance to retrench her expenses in every possible way, and stated +further, that although the repairs must be made at once, it would not be +necessary to pay the bills immediately on their presentation. + +He said that although he would be glad to run up to see them in their +country home, he could not leave the city at present, but he might be +able to visit them later on. + +Altogether it was not a satisfactory letter, and Leicester expressed +open disapproval. + +"That's a nice thing," he said, "to tell us not to pay our bills! As if +we wanted to live with a lot of debts hanging over our heads!" + +"I think it's lucky that we don't have to pay them right off," said +Dorothy; "something may happen before we have to pay them." + +Dorothy had a decided touch of the Micawber element in her nature and +usually lived in the hope of something happening. And, to do her +justice, it often did. + +To the surprise of the others Fairy seemed very much impressed by the +gravity of the situation, and more than that she seemed to think that it +devolved on her to do something to relieve it. She walked over to Mrs. +Hickox's to make her usual Wednesday visit, and though she skipped along +as usual she was really thinking seriously. + +She found Mrs. Hickox sitting on a bench under a tree paring apples, and +Fairy sat down beside her. + +"Of course I'm only twelve," she began, "but really I can do a great +many things; only the trouble is none of them seem to be remunerary." + +The two had become great friends, and though Mrs. Hickox was a lady of +uncertain affections, she had taken a great fancy to Fairy, and in her +queer way showed a real fondness for the child. She had also become +accustomed to Fairy's manner of plunging suddenly into a subject. + +"What is it you want to do now?" she said. + +"Well, you see," said Fairy, "we've failed, or absconded, or something +like that; I don't know exactly all about it, but we're awful poor, and +we can't have anything more to eat. Some of us want to come to board +with you, and some of us don't. You see it's very complicrated." + +"Yes, it seems to be," said Mrs. Hickox; "but how did you get so poor +all of a sudden? I always said you were all crazy and now I begin to +believe it. Your grandmother----" + +"Don't you say a word against my grannymother!" cried Fairy, with +flashing eyes. "She's the loveliest, best and wisest lady in the whole +world. Only somehow she just happened to lose her money, and so of +course us children want to help her all we can, and I just don't happen +to know what to do to earn money, that's all. And I thought you might +know some way to tell me." + +"I don't believe there's anything a child of your age could do to earn +money," said Mrs. Hickox. "But now that I come to think of it, I did cut +out a clipping just the other day, telling how to earn a good salary at +home." + +"Oh, that will be just the thing!" cried Fairy, dancing around in glee; +"I'd love to earn a big salary and stay right there at the Dorrance +Domain to do it. Do try to find it." + +Mrs. Hickox was in the habit of sticking away her clippings in various +queer places. She pulled out a bunch from behind the clock, and ran them +over; "How to Take Out Ink Stains," "How to Wash Clothes in Six +Minutes," "How to Protect an Iron Lawn Fence," "How to Stuff Birds, +Taught by Mail," "Sure Cure for Rheumatism," "Recipe for Soft Soap." + +None of these seemed to be what was wanted, so Mrs. Hickox hunted +through another bunch which she took out of an old and unused teapot. + +Fairy danced around with impatience while her hostess went through +several collections. + +"Oh, here it is," she said, at last, and then she read to the child a +most promissory advertisement which set forth a tempting description of +how any one might earn a large fortune by directing envelopes. The two +talked it over, and Fairy wrote for Mrs. Hickox a sample of her +penmanship, whereupon the lady at once declared that the scheme was +impossible. For she said nobody could read such writing as that, and if +they could, they wouldn't want to. + +Fairy's disappointment was quite in proportion to the vivid +anticipations she had held, and she was on the verge of one of her +volcanic crying spells, when Mr. Hickox came in. + +"Well, well, what's the trouble?" he said in his cheery way, and when +Fairy explained, he responded: + +"Well, well, little miss, don't you worry,--don't you worry one mite! +Hickox'll fix it. It'll be all right!" + +And so comforting was this assurance, and so sanguine was the Dorrance +temperament, that Fairy felt at once that everything was all right, and +dismissed the whole subject from her mind. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A SUDDEN DETERMINATION + + +One afternoon, Dorothy sat on the front veranda, day-dreaming. + +It was difficult to say which was the front veranda,--the one that faced +the road, or the one that looked out on the lake. The house could be +considered to front either way. + +But Dorothy was on the veranda that faced the road, and it was a lovely +warm, hazy day, almost the last of June, and notwithstanding her +responsibilities, Dorothy was in a happy frame of mind. + +She watched with interest, a carriage that was coming along the road +towards her. It was nothing unusual in the way of a carriage, but there +was so little passing, that anything on four wheels was always +noticeable. This was a buggy, and contained a lady and gentleman who +seemed to be driving slowly and talking fast. + +To Dorothy's surprise, when they reached the entrance of the Dorrance +Domain, they turned in, and drove up towards the house. + +As they stopped in front of the steps, Dorothy rose to greet them; but +though courteous in manner, beyond bestowing a pleasant smile, they took +no notice of her. The gentleman got out first, then helped the lady out, +and after a blank look around for a moment, as if expecting somebody, he +threw his lines carelessly around the whip and escorted the lady into +the house. + +The doors were all open as usual, and Dorothy was so amazed to see them +walk past her, that she said nothing. + +Grandma Dorrance was lying down in her room; the twins had gone out +rowing, and Fairy was down at the dock with Mr. Hickox, fishing. + +The two servants were far away in the kitchen, and so the strangers +walked through the great hall and out on the west veranda without seeing +anybody. + +Nonplussed, they returned to the office, and noted the unused look of +the desks and counters there. + +"Where do you suppose the clerk can be?" said the gentleman. + +"Let us ask that young girl on the veranda," said the lady, and together +they returned to where Dorothy was sitting. + +"Excuse me," said the strange gentleman, "but can you tell me where I +may find the clerk of this hotel?" + +"There isn't any clerk," said Dorothy, smiling, as she rose to greet +them. + +"Then will you tell me where I can find the proprietor?" + +Like a flash, an inspiration came to Dorothy. She realized in an instant +that these people were looking for board; and equally quickly came the +thought that she might take them to board, and so earn some of the money +that she had been worrying about. It would certainly be no more +difficult to have boarders than visitors. + +And so, on the impulse of the moment, Dorothy replied: + +"I am the proprietor." + +"But I mean the proprietor of the hotel,--the owner of the place." + +"My grandmother is the owner of this hotel; and if anybody is proprietor +of it, I am. May I ask if you are looking for board?" + +"Yes, we are," said the lady, impulsively; "and if you are the +proprietor, I'm quite sure we want board at this hotel." + +"Will you sit down, and let us talk this matter over," said Dorothy, +offering them veranda chairs. "I would like to explain just how things +are." + +The strangers seated themselves, and looked at Dorothy with some +curiosity and a great deal of interest. It was certainly unusual to come +across a pretty girl of sixteen, who, in her ruffled lawn frock looked +quite like the typical guest of a summer hotel, and then to be calmly +told that she was the proprietor. + +Dorothy also looked with interest at her visitors. The man was tall and +large, of perhaps middle age; his face was kind and serious, but a smile +seemed to lurk in his deep blue eyes. The lady seemed to be younger, +and was very pretty and vivacious. She had curly brown hair, and her +brown eyes fairly danced with fun at the idea of Dorothy as a hotel +proprietor. + +"You see," said Dorothy, as they all sat down, "this hotel is my +grandmother's property; but as we couldn't rent it, we have all come +here to live for the summer. My grandmother is quite old, and not at all +strong, so the household management is entirely in my charge. I would be +very glad to take some boarders if I could satisfy them and make them +comfortable. I have never kept boarders, but," and here Dorothy's smile +brought out all her dimples, "I have entertained company successfully." + +"I should be delighted to come," exclaimed the lady, "if you are quite +sure you want us, and if your grandmother would not object." + +"Oh, no, she would not object; the question is, whether I could make +your stay satisfactory to you. We have plenty of room; I could promise +you a good table and good service. But as there are no other guests, +you might be lonely." + +"We are not afraid of being lonely," said the gentleman, "for my wife +and I are not dependent on the society of other people. But let me +introduce myself before going further; I am Mr. James Faulkner, of New +York City. Mrs. Faulkner and myself have been staying over at the Horton +House, and that hotel is far too gay and noisy to suit our tastes. I'm a +scientific man, and like to spend much of my day in quiet study. Mrs. +Faulkner, too, likes to be away from society's demands, at least for a +season. Therefore I must confess your proposition sounds most +attractive, if the minor details can be arranged." + +"I am Dorothy Dorrance," Dorothy responded, by way of her own +introduction, "and my grandfather was Robert Hampton Dorrance. He has +been dead for two years, and he left us this hotel property, which as we +have been unable to rent, we decided to occupy. I would be glad to add +to our income, and if you think you could be comfortable here, might we +not try it for a week?" + +"Oh, do let us try it," cried Mrs. Faulkner, eagerly; "do say yes, +James,--this is such a lovely spot, and this hotel is quite the most +attractive I have seen anywhere. Only fancy having no other guests but +ourselves! it would be ideal. Oh, we must certainly come! I will decide +it; we will come for a week at any rate." + +"Very well, my dear, you shall have your own way. May I ask your rates, +Miss Dorrance?" + +Dorothy hesitated. She felt very inexperienced, and while she was +fearful of over-charging, yet her practical instincts made her also +beware of undervaluing the accommodations she knew she could supply. + +"I don't know," she said, frankly, "what I ought to charge you. But you +may have the best rooms in the house, and,"--here she smiled, +involuntarily,--"as many of them as you wish. We have a really superior +cook, and an experienced waitress. We have boats, and a horse and +carriage, which you may use when you care to. As I know nothing of +summer hotel charges, I would be glad if you would tell me what you +think would be right for you to pay." + +Dorothy's frank honesty, and her gentle refined courtesy made a most +favorable impression on Mr. Faulkner, and he responded cordially. + +"For what you offer, Miss Dorrance, I think it would be fair if we +should pay you the same as we are now paying over at the Horton House; +that is, fifteen dollars a week, each, for Mrs. Faulkner and myself." + +Dorothy considered a moment. She was a quick thinker, and she realized +that this amount of money would help considerably towards the living +expenses of the family. And the price could not be exorbitant since Mr. +Faulkner offered it himself. + +"That will be entirely satisfactory to me," she said, "and I shall hope, +on my part, to satisfy you. When would you like to come?" + +"I'd like to come to-morrow," said Mrs. Faulkner. "I've stood the Horton +House just as long as I can. And our week is up to-morrow. But, excuse +me, my dear, aren't you very young for these responsibilities?" + +"I'm sixteen," said Dorothy, "and grandmother thinks my talents are of +the domestic order. But I could not undertake to have you here were it +not that our cook is not merely a cook, but a general manager and +all-round housekeeper. And now, Mrs. Faulkner, if you really think of +coming, wouldn't you like to select your rooms?" + +Just at this moment, Fairy came flying through the long hall at her +usual break-neck pace, and landed turbulently in the midst of the group. + +"Oh, Dorothy," she cried, "we caught fish, and fish, and fish!" + +"This is my sister Fairy," said Dorothy, "and I must explain, that when +I said it would be quiet here, I neglected to mention that there are +four of us children; and the truth is we are dreadfully noisy at times. +Fairy, dear, this is Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, who are perhaps coming to +board with us." + +With the pretty politeness that always underlay the boisterousness of +the Dorrances, Fairy put out her hand to the strangers, saying: "I'm +very glad to see you. Are you really coming to stay with us? You must +'scuse me for rushing out like that, and nearly knocking you over, but I +was so 'cited about my fish." + +Fairy always looked more than usually fairy-like when she was excited. +Her gold curls tumbled about her face, and the big white bow which +topped them stood at all sorts of flyaway angles. She poised herself on +one foot, and waved her hands dramatically as she talked. + +Mrs. Faulkner was charmed with the child, and being possessed of some +artistic ability, she privately resolved to make a sketch of Fairy at +the first opportunity. + +The two sisters escorted the guests through the hall, if Fairy's hop, +skip and jump could be called an escort, and Dorothy showed them the +lake view from the west piazza. + +Mrs. Faulkner was enthusiastic over this, and declared that nothing +would induce her to stay anywhere else but at the Dorrance Domain. + +Mr. Faulkner, too, was impressed by the beauty of the lake. It was +always most picturesque in the late afternoon, and just now the clouds, +lit up by the western sun, were especially beautiful. The lake itself +was not calm, but was covered with smooth little hills of water, which +here and there broke into white foam. + +Some distance out, a boat could be seen, containing two people. + +"That's my brother and sister," said Dorothy; "they are twins. They are +fourteen, and are perhaps the noisiest of us all. You see," she went on, +smiling, "I'm preparing you for the worst. Grandmother had great +difficulty with the New York boarding-house keepers, because they +thought the Dorrance children too lively. So I want you to be fully +warned that we do make a great deal of noise. Somehow we can't help it." + +"We don't yell so much as we used to," said Fairy, hopefully; "you see, +Mrs. Faulkner, when we used to be cooped up in a boarding-house we just +had to make an awful racket, 'cause we were so miserabubble. But here we +have room enough to scamper around, and so we don't holler so much." + +"I rather think we can survive your demonstrations of animal spirits," +said Mr. Faulkner, with his kindly smile. "It will be a pleasant relief +from the brass band which is the noise-producer over at the Horton +House." + +"We haven't any brass band," said Dorothy, suddenly realizing that they +lacked many things popularly supposed to belong to a summer hotel. + +"That's one reason why I want to come," said Mrs. Faulkner. + +"I hope you will decide to come," said Dorothy; "and now, if you will +excuse me a minute, I think I will ask my grandmother to come down and +sanction our plan." + +Leaving the strangers to be entertained by Fairy, Dorothy ran up to her +grandmother's room and tapped at the door. + +A few moments served to explain matters to Mrs. Dorrance, and though a +little bewildered by Dorothy's sudden proposal, she thought the plan a +good one, and went down prepared to give the strangers a cordial +reception. + +The Faulkners were much pleased with the gentle, gracious old lady, and +Mrs. Dorrance decided at a glance that the newcomers were sensible and +kindly people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DARING SCHEME + + +The more they talked over the matter the more it seemed a sensible and +feasible plan for all concerned. Mrs. Dorrance felt sure that with their +two capable servants, and Mr. Hickox's varied usefulness, two boarders +would make no more responsibility for Dorothy than her five guests had. + +It was therefore decided to try the plan for a week, and if both sides +were satisfied, to continue for the season. + +Then Dorothy took the strangers up to select their rooms, and Mrs. +Faulkner was as delighted at the idea of choosing from so many empty +rooms, as the Dorrances had been on the night of their own arrival. + +Agreeing to return the next day with their luggage, the Faulkners drove +away, leaving the Dorrances in a high state of delighted excitement. + +"You see," said Dorothy to her grandmother, "something _has_ happened. I +felt sure it would, though of course, I had no idea it would be the +Faulkners. But thirty dollars a week will help a lot, and I'm sure we +can make them have a good time. They're lovely people,--you can see that +at a glance. Mrs. Faulkner is so sweet, I think I'd be willing to pay +her just to sit around and smile at me." + +"Instead of her paying you to let her do it," said grandma. "But it is a +good plan, Dorothy; for now we can afford to keep Kathleen, and pay her +fair wages, which I did not otherwise feel justified in doing." + +"And Kathleen is a whole army of servants, all in one," said Dorothy. +"She'll be delighted at the idea of staying with us. I'll go and tell +her about it now." + +"I'll go, too," cried Fairy. "I want to hear her talk." + +Out to the kitchen the two girls ran and noisily burst in upon Tessie +and her mother. + +The two Irish women were feeling rather blue, for Mrs. Dorrance had told +them that she could not afford to let them both stay with her, and she +was not sure that she ought to keep even Tessie. + +"Arrah thin, darlints, yez'll be afther breakin' down the dures! Why +musht ye always come so shlam-bang?" + +"We can't help it, Kathleen," cried Dorothy; "we're just made so, I +guess. But this time we've something to tell you,--something important." + +"Im-porrtant, is it? Sorra a good thing cud yez tell me, ixcipt that yer +lady grandmother wud be afther lettin' me shtay here wid yez. Me an' +Tessie is afther grievin' sore at thoughts of lavin' yez." + +"That's just it, Kathleen," screamed Fairy, who in her excitement and +enthusiasm was scrambling up Kathleen's broad back. It was a favorite +trick of Fairy's to clamber up and perch herself on the big woman's +shoulder, and the good-natured giantess assisted her with sundry +pushings and pullings. + +"That's jist it, is it? Well thin yez naden't be afther tellin' me anny +more. Yez can kape the rist of yer importance to yersilves. If we can +shtay up here, me and Tessie, we'll wurruk our finger ends off fer ye, +wid no wages but a bite an' a sup." + +"No, that won't do, Kathleen. Now just listen; we want to engage you as +cook, and Tessie as waitress for the Dorrance Domain. It has become a +hotel,--a regular summer hotel, and the boarders will arrive to-morrow." + +"For the love of all the saints, miss! Is it boorders yez'll be afther +takin'? Shure, an' that's foine. And it's Kathleen as 'll cook fer yez. +An' Tessie, you young rascal, see to it that you wait on the table jist +grand! Do there be manny a-comin', miss?" + +"Two," replied Dorothy; "and they're lovely people." + +"Yes, lovely people," cried Fairy, who, still on Kathleen's shoulder, +was emphasizing her remarks by pounding Kathleen with her little fists; +"one is a great, big, lovely gentleman, with big, blue eyes, and +grayish-blackish hair. That's Mr. Faulkner. And his wife's a beautiful +little lady, who smiles, and smiles, and smiles. Oh, they're scrumptious +people, and I expect they will stay all summer. Oh, Dorothy, the twins +are coming! let's go and tell them!" + +Fairy sprang from Kathleen's shoulder to the table, and from there +bounded to the floor, and grasping Dorothy's hand, the two ran away to +tell the news, and met the twins on the veranda. + +Lilian and Leicester were as glad as the rest to learn of the advent of +the Faulkners, and at once began to make plans for the comfort and +entertainment of their boarders. + +"I shall take Mr. Faulkner out fishing," said Leicester, "and show him +all the best spots to fish." + +"I don't believe he'll care much for fishing," said Mrs. Dorrance. "He +seems to me to be so interested in his scientific work, that I imagine +he spends little time in recreation. I think that you'll all have to try +to be a little quieter than usual, especially in the house." + +"We will, granny dear," said Lilian; "if we're going to keep boarders, +we're going to do it properly; I guess the Dorrances know when they can +cut up jinks, and when they can't." + +"Isn't it funny, though," said Leicester, "to think of our living in +this hotel because nobody would rent it _as_ a hotel, and now here we +are, running a hotel ourselves. I'm going to get out the big register, +and clean up that inkstand thing, and have the office all in +working-order for them to register when they come to-morrow. Dorothy, +you can be proprietor, but I'll be the clerk; and then after they +register, I'll ring the bell for a bell-boy. And then I'll be the +bell-boy. And then I'll send myself for a porter, and Mr. Hickox'll be +the porter. Oh, it'll be great!" + +"Shall we eat in the big dining-room?" asked Lilian. "It seems as if it +would be more like a hotel." + +"I don't know," said grandma; "that immense room is too large for seven +people. The Faulkners seem very congenial, and I can't help thinking +they would prefer to sit at the round table with us. However, they +might prefer a table to themselves; so I think the best plan is to wait +until they arrive, and ask them. In such matters we should be glad to +meet their wishes." + +"I shall keep most systematic accounts," said Dorothy; "and then I can +tell just how much we make by having boarders. There are lots of blank +books in the office, and I shall keep exact lists of everything I buy +this week, and then see how it balances up at the end of seven days." + +"If you expect to make any money out of this scheme," said Leicester, +"you mustn't feed us all on the fat of the land, as you did when those +people were visiting here." + +"No," said grandma; "you can't do it, Dorothy. It is very pleasant to +set dainty and tempting dishes before one's guests; but when it comes to +a practical business arrangement it is necessary to be careful in such +matters. I don't want you to be over-economical, but on the other hand +you cannot afford to be extravagant." + +"If you're going to be a boarding-house keeper, Dot," said Lilian, "you +must set a table exactly like Mrs. Cooper's!" + +At this speech, Leicester started the famous Dorrance groan, and its +wails reached the ears of Mr. Hickox, who was sauntering near by in his +aimless, wandering fashion. + +"Thought I'd just come over and see what you're yowling about," he said +pleasantly; "those screeches are enough to kill all the fish in the +lake!" + +"Come in, Mr. Hickox," cried Leicester; "we have a grand plan on hand, +and as usual we shall want your help." + +"Oh, yes," said Mr. Hickox, "as usual. Hickox'll make it all right. +What's up now?" + +"We expect boarders to-morrow; and when they come, we want you to be on +hand to look after their trunks and things. The Dorrance Domain has +suddenly turned back into a hotel. Dorothy is proprietor, I'm clerk, and +you're to be the porter." + +"What am I?" said Lilian; "I want a regular position." + +"Oh, you can be the elevator boy, or the carriage-door opener, +whichever you like," said her brother. + +"As we haven't any elevator, and our carriage hasn't any door, I won't +be over-worked." + +"We girls will all have to be upper servants," said Dorothy; "with so +much extra work in the kitchen, we'll have to help a great deal as +parlor-maids, and chambermaids, and dining-room maids." + +"I'll sweep all the verandas every day," announced Fairy; "I do just +love to fly around with that funny big broom-brush." + +"Well, Hickox is yours to command," declared that genial gentleman; +"whatever you want Hickory Hickox to do, that's as good as done! +Excepting, of course, such various times as I might be otherwise +employed. But I'll be porter all right, and I'll port them people's +trunks right up to their rooms so fast, they'll think I'm an elevator. +My! Mrs. Hickox, she'll be surprised to hear you people are going to +have boarders! I must say, I'm some surprised myself. Well I must +shuffle along now, and I'll be on deck when you want me to-morrow. +Hickox will look after things. It'll be all right." + +After the ungainly figure had shuffled away, the children still +continued to make plans and offer suggestions for the new arrangement. + +"We must be very methodical," said Dorothy, who was much in earnest in +the matter, and who wanted to start out just right. "Mrs. Faulkner is so +nice and sweet, I want to please her; and, too, if the Dorrances run a +hotel, I want it to be run on the most approved plan." + +"We'll each have an account book," said Fairy; "and I'll put down in +mine, how many times I sweep the verandas each day." + +"If you get around them all in one day, baby," said Leicester, "you'll +do mighty well; and to do that, you'll have to get to work at daybreak +and stick to it till sundown. There's an awful big number of square feet +of veranda attached to this palatial mansion, I can tell you." + +"Oh, pooh!" cried Fairy. "It won't take me all day, at all. I can fly +around it in a minute. I'll work like a centripepede!" + +"We'll keep the horse for this week, anyway," went on Dorothy; "for I +shall have to go to market every morning, and it's so much quicker to go +in the carriage than the boat. Sometimes you can go for me, Less, if I +make out an exact list of what I want." + +"All right," said her brother; "I don't think this keeping boarders is +going to be such hard work after all. I wonder we didn't think of it +sooner." + +"I'm glad we didn't," said Dorothy; "I think it was nicer to have a few +weeks all by ourselves, first. We've got to behave when the Faulkners +get here. It will be just like it was at Mrs. Cooper's, you know." + +This time Fairy started the groan, and again they all chimed in with +those deep growling wails that always made Mrs. Dorrance clap her hands +to her ears. + +"For pity's sake!" exclaimed the long-suffering old lady; "don't make +any reference to Mrs. Cooper while the Faulkners are here; for if they +heard those fearful groans of yours, they'd leave at once." + +"What's Mr. Faulkner like?" asked Leicester; "will he say, 'well, my +little man,' to me?" + +"No," said Dorothy, laughing at the remembrance; "Mr. Faulkner is an +awful nice man. Not very young, and not very old." + +"Like Jack Sprat's pig?" asked Leicester; "not very little and not very +big." + +"He isn't like anybody's pig!" said Fairy, indignantly. "He's a +gentiliferous gentleman. I'm going to ask him to go to Mrs. Hickox's +with me. He's scientiferic, and I know he'd like to read her newspaper +clippings." + +"I wouldn't ask him to go just at first, Fairy," said grandma; "wait +until you get better acquainted." + +"Well, anyhow? I'll take him to see the rabbits; he's sure to love them, +they're such cunning, pudgy-wudgy little things." + +"And I'm sure he will like Dare," said Lilian, patting the head of the +big dog who lay at her feet. + +"Such nice people as they seem to be, will surely like animals," said +grandma; "but if they should not, then you must be very careful that +they are not annoyed by them. Dare will learn for himself whether he is +liked or not; but if Mrs. Faulkner doesn't care for kittens you must +keep Mike out from under foot." + +"I don't believe she'll care for kittens, so I'll take this one and +drown it now," said Leicester, picking up the ball of fluffy Maltese +fur, and starting towards the lake. + +Fairy ran after him, screaming in pretended anguish, though she well +knew her brother was only joking, being almost as fond of the kitten as +she was herself. + +The other two girls followed, and Dare followed them, and a general game +of romps ensued. + +Grandma Dorrance watched them from the veranda, feeling glad for the +thousandth time that her dear ones were in their own home, where they +could follow their own sweet will, without causing annoyance to any +one. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +REGISTERED GUESTS + + +The next day, true to her word, Dorothy made preparations for methodical +and systematic hotel management. + +"They may not stay more than a week; probably they won't," she said; +"but I don't want them to leave because the Dorrance Domain isn't run +properly as a summer hotel." + +The children had looked upon the whole affair as a great joke; but +seeing that there was a certain underlying current of seriousness in +Dorothy's attitude, they began to think that it was a business venture +after all. + +"Shall we really ask them to register, Dot?" inquired Leicester, who +didn't know quite how far the playing at hotel was to be carried. + +"Yes," said Dorothy; "there is no reason why not; it can certainly do +no harm, and it makes everything seem more shipshape. Have nice fresh +pens, ink and blotters, and put down the date and the number of their +rooms when Mr. Faulkner signs. Don't laugh about it, but don't put on +airs either; just be polite and businesslike." + +"My, Dot, but you're a wonder!" exclaimed Leicester, looking at his +sister with admiration. "Where did you learn all these things? Nobody +ever registered at Mrs. Cooper's." + +"No," said Dorothy; "but that was a city boarding-house; an altogether +different affair from a country summer hotel. It may be foolish, but I +want to try to treat the Faulkners just as they would be treated in any +nice summer hotel." + +"It isn't foolish at all," spoke up Lilian; "it's just the right way to +do, and we'll all help. We must send a pitcher of ice-water to their +room every night." + +"Oh, dear, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Dorothy, in dismay; "why, +we haven't any ice." + +"No," said Leicester, "but fresh-drawn water from that deep well is +just as cold as any ice-water. I'll make that one of my duties; I'm a +bell-boy, you know." + +"Another thing," went on Lilian, in her practical way, "is the mail-box +in the office. We must tell the Faulkners to put their letters in there, +and they will be collected twice a day, and taken over to Woodville and +mailed." + +"Lilian, you're a trump!" cried Dorothy; "tell us more things like +that,--that's just what I mean. But we can't go to Woodville twice a +day!" + +"I think once a day will be enough," said Leicester; "we'll take the +contents of the mail-box every morning when we go over for the +marketing." + +"I shall write to Gladys Miller every day," said Fairy; "so you'll +always have something to take; maybe the Faulkners don't have so very +much corresponderence." + +All four of the children went to market that morning. Leicester drove +them over, and so much chattering and planning did they do on the way, +that the two miles distance seemed very short. + +Dorothy felt the responsibility of ordering just the right things for +her table. She realized that she must begin on just the same scale on +which she expected to continue through the week. She must not be too +lavish, for since her aim now was to earn money, she must be fair and +just, rather than generous. + +Always sensible and capable, Dorothy seemed suddenly possessed of a new +sort of self-reliance; and the responsibility which she had voluntarily +and gladly accepted, seemed to bring with it the executive ability which +promised success. + +Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to hear the news of boarders at the +Dorrance Domain. He possessed that trait, not altogether unusual in +storekeepers, of desiring to sell his wares. During the fortnight that +the Dorrances had entertained company, he had reaped a golden harvest, +and, as since then Dorothy's demand on his stock had been much more +modest, he now rejoiced in the anticipation of further extravagant +orders. + +He was greatly surprised then, when Dorothy, instead of lavishly +purchasing whatever struck her fancy, regardless of its price, began to +inquire the cost of things, and showed a decided leaning towards thrift +and economy. + +"Ain't goin' to starve them folks, be you?" he asked, as Dorothy +hesitated between the relative merits of lettuce and tomatoes. + +"I hope not," said Dorothy, politely, for she knew Mr. Bill Hodges +pretty well by this time, and so did not resent what she knew was not +meant as a rudeness. "When our house was last run as a hotel, did they +buy their provisions from you?" + +"Yes, ma'am, they did;" and a shade more of respectful deference crept +into the voice and manner of Mr. Bill Hodges, as he instinctively +realized the touch of added dignity in Dorothy's demeanor. "Mr. Perkins, +he used to do the marketin', and gracious snakes! but he calc'lated +close. He give his boarders just enough to keep them alive and no more." + +"Well, I don't want to be quite so mean as that," said Dorothy; "but on +the other hand, I can't afford to treat my boarders quite as I would +like to entertain my guests." + +"That's right, that's right!" exclaimed Mr. Bill Hodges, whose own +shrewd business mind readily recognized similar qualities in another. +"That's right; treat 'em good, but not too good." + +This phrase fastened itself in Dorothy's mind, and she determined to +take for her line of action all that was expressed in Mr. Bill Hodges' +homely phrase, "Treat'em good, but not too good." + +Their purchases satisfactorily completed, the children jogged back home +over the rough, steep hill, and even old Dobbin seemed to realize that +he was now part of the establishment of a first-class summer hotel. + +That afternoon the Faulkners arrived. + +Everything was in readiness, and perhaps no hotel proprietor ever took +greater pride in the general appearance of his hostelry, than did +Dorothy Dorrance, as, arrayed in a fresh white muslin, she stood on the +east veranda watching a lumbering stage drawing nearer and nearer to the +Dorrance Domain. + +And surely no typical hotel clerk, even though decorated with the +traditional diamond pin, could show a more faultless array of +official-looking desk-furnishings. + +The Horton House stage rolled slowly up the driveway, and stopped at the +main entrance. Mr. Hickox was on hand to open the stage door, and look +after the hand luggage. + +With an instinctive grasping of the situation, both Mr. and Mrs. +Faulkner appreciated Dorothy's frame of mind, and acted precisely as if +they were entering a hotel run on regulation lines. + +As Dorothy led the way to the office, Mrs. Faulkner looked at her +curiously. It was strange to see a girl, so young and pretty, so +graceful and well-bred, yet possessed of a certain quality which could +only be designated by the term, "business instinct." She marveled at +Dorothy's poise, which, however, showed no trace of awkwardness or +pertness. + +Mrs. Faulkner was fond of character study, and felt convinced at once +that she would greatly enjoy a better acquaintance with Dorothy +Dorrance. + +At the office, Leicester showed the newcomers the same quiet, polite +courtesy. The boy had a frank, straightforward air that always impressed +strangers pleasantly. He turned the register around towards Mr. +Faulkner, and offered him an already-inked pen, with an air of being +quite accustomed to registering guests. + +But Leicester's sense of humor was strong, and the absurdity of the +whole thing struck him so forcibly, that it was with great difficulty he +refrained from laughing outright. Had he glanced at Dorothy, he +certainly would have done so; but the two were fully determined to play +their part properly, and they succeeded. + +Nor was Mr. Faulkner to be outdone in the matter of correct deportment. +He gravely took the pen offered to him, signed the register in the place +indicated, and inquired if they might go at once to their rooms. + +"Certainly," said Leicester, touching the bell on the desk. The +ubiquitous Hickox appeared with the hand-bags, and Leicester handed him +the keys. + +This touch nearly finished Dorothy, for numbered keys seemed so very +like a real hotel, that it struck her as quite the funniest thing yet. + +As the Faulkners, following Mr. Hickox, went up the great staircase and +disappeared around the corner, Leicester flew out from behind his desk, +grasped Dorothy's hand, and fleetly, though silently, the two ran +through the long parlor to one of the smaller rooms, shut the door, and +then burst into peals of laughter. + +For a moment they would pause, begin to speak to each other, and then go +off again into choking spasms of hilarity. + +Had they only known it, their two guests on the floor above, were doing +almost the same thing. Mrs. Faulkner had thrown herself into an easy +chair, and was laughing until the tears rolled down her cheeks. Mr. +Faulkner, who was by nature a grave gentleman, was walking up and down +the room, broadly smiling, and saying, "Well upon my word! well upon my +word!" + +Before Dorothy and Leicester had recovered their equilibrium, the two +younger girls came rushing into the room where they were. + +"Did they come? Are they here? What is the matter? Do tell us all about +it!" + +Dorothy, in her idea of the fitness of things had asked Lilian and Fairy +to keep out of sight until after the arrival and registration had been +safely accomplished; grandma, it had also been thought best, was not to +appear until dinner-time. As Dorothy had expressed it, she knew the +proper propriety for a proprietor, and she proposed to live up to it. + +But of course when Fairy and Lilian, on the west veranda, heard the +commotion in the small parlor, they could restrain their curiosity no +longer, and insisted on being told all about it. + +So Dorothy and Leicester calmed down a little, and assured them that the +whole thing had passed off beautifully; that the arrival had been a +howling success, and that Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner were now established +boarders at the Dorrance Domain. + +Then Dorothy went out to the kitchen to superintend carefully the +preparations for dinner. She had decided that since the Dorrance Domain +had become a hotel, it was proper to have dinner at night, and luncheon +in the middle of the day. + +Once over the comical farce of registering, the advent of the Faulkners +took on an aspect not entirely humorous, and Dorothy's sense of serious +responsibility came back to her. Kathleen, too, with her native Irish +wit realized the gravity of the occasion, and went about her duties in a +steady, capable way that greatly helped to reassure Dorothy. + +And indeed, matters seemed to be progressing most smoothly. The dinner +was well under way, and the table daintily set. + +Fairy had brought flowers from Mrs. Hickox's garden, and she and Lilian +had decorated the table and the dining-room. Dorothy had concluded that +they would all sit together at the round table that night, and then if +the Faulkners preferred a table to themselves, it could be arranged +later. + +After a careful supervision, Dorothy left the dinner in charge of her +really competent cook and waitress, and went back to the family. She +found them all on the west veranda, where they usually congregated at +sunset time. + +With them were the Faulkners; and in a pretty summer house-gown, Mrs. +Faulkner looked so sweet and dainty, that Dorothy felt more than ever +attracted to her. Mr. Faulkner was engaged in a pleasant conversation +with Grandma Dorrance; and Dorothy suddenly felt that to be the +proprietor of a summer hotel was just the nicest thing a girl could do. + +"You've no idea," Mrs. Faulkner was saying, as Dorothy came out, "what a +delightful change this is from the noise and glitter of the Horton +House. This lovely great veranda, and the beautiful view of the lake, +with no inharmonious elements, makes me feel glad I'm alive." + +"I'm glad you are alive, too," said Dorothy, smiling at the lady; "and +I'm glad you live here." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AMBITIONS + + +It was truly astonishing, even to Dorothy, how easily the machinery of a +big hotel could be made to move along. The Dorrances all agreed that the +Faulkners were no trouble at all, and that their presence in the +Dorrance Domain added greatly to the happiness of all concerned. +Doubtless the explanation of this lay in several different facts. To +begin with, the Faulkners were most charming people; refined, tactful, +and kind-hearted. It was their nature to make as little trouble as +possible, wherever they might be. + +On the other side, Dorothy's determination to succeed in her enterprise, +grew with what it fed upon, and she became day by day more capable +through experience. Also, she was ably assisted by Leicester and the +girls, who were always ready to do anything she wished them to. Then, +the servants were certainly treasures, and as Dorothy said, it would be +a perfect idiot of a hotel proprietor who couldn't succeed under such +advantages as she had. + +With her success her ambitions grew. + +Again sitting on the east veranda, one afternoon, she found herself +wishing that another buggy would drive up and deposit two more such +people as the Faulkners at her hotel office. If she could succeed with +two, why not with four, or even six? + +Indeed, in her imagination she saw a long procession of buggies bringing +eager guests to the hospitality of the Dorrance Domain. + +Acting on an impulse, she went in search of Mrs. Faulkner, and found +that lady just coming down-stairs, dressed for afternoon, and quite +ready for a chat. + +So Dorothy carried her off to one of her favorite nooks which was a +little vine-clad arbor on the east lawn. + +This proprietor and guest had become firm friends in the few days they +had been together. Dorothy admired Mrs. Faulkner's lovely gracious +disposition, and her clever cultivated mind. Mrs. Faulkner saw great +possibilities in Dorothy's character and took a sincere interest in the +girl. Aside from this there was that subtle, inexplicable bond of +sympathetic congeniality, which makes a real friendship possible. + +"I want to talk to you seriously," said Dorothy. + +"I'm all attention," said Mrs. Faulkner; "proceed with your +seriousness." + +"You and Mr. Faulkner have been here a week to-morrow," Dorothy went on, +"and----" + +"And you can't stand us any longer,--and you want to break it to me +gently?" + +"No, indeed, nothing of the sort! and you know that well. But I want to +ask you frankly, and I want you to tell me honestly, how I have +succeeded this week in what I have undertaken." + +"What have you undertaken?" said Mrs. Faulkner, who dearly loved to make +Dorothy formulate her thoughts. + +"Why, I undertook to give you and Mr. Faulkner, in a general way, and so +far as I could, just such comforts and accommodations as you would get +at the average summer hotel." + +"Is that all you tried to do?" + +"I think," said Dorothy, speaking slowly, and thinking hard, "I think I +tried to give you a little bit extra, in the way of home comforts and +dainty service, to make up for the things that the average summer hotel +provides, but which I can't give you." + +"Like a brass band, for instance." + +"Yes, a brass band, and a great array of bell-boys and porters, and +Saturday night hops, and,--lots of things like that." + +"Well," said Mrs. Faulkner, "to tell you the truth, I don't care two +straws for brass bands, or Saturday night hops; and Mr. Faulkner doesn't +either. We are both charmed with this place, and we are both absolutely +happy and comfortable. So, if you are willing, we are quite ready to +prolong our stay indefinitely. Mr. Faulkner enjoys the quiet and freedom +from interruption, while he is pursuing his scientific studies. And as +for myself, I want to get well rested this summer, for during the +winter, my city life is very full of gayety and excitement." + +"I'm so glad you are satisfied," said Dorothy, earnestly; "for this was +an experiment, and I was so anxious it should succeed. Of course, on my +side it is more than satisfactory. You and Mr. Faulkner are ideal +boarders; you make no trouble at all, and you have helped me in lots of +ways by your advice and suggestions. Now I want to ask your advice some +more. You know what I can do,--you know the house, and all,--do you +think, if I could get them, I could take two or three more boarders?" + +"Do _you_ think you could?" asked Mrs. Faulkner, smiling at Dorothy's +eager face. + +"Yes, I think so; but sometimes, you know, I'm apt to overrate my own +ability. I could do the work all right,--or have it done,--but I'm not +sure whether I could manage to satisfy people who might not be so lovely +and amiable as you and Mr. Faulkner are. And another thing, I wouldn't +want any more boarders if it would bother or annoy you two the least +mite." + +"Why do you think you would like to have more?" + +"Because, Mrs. Faulkner, I want to earn more money. Grandmother is +bothered with her financial affairs, and if we children could help her +any, we'd all be so glad. You see we are an awful expense to her; but +soon, I hope we'll be old enough to earn money for her instead. Now of +course to have two boarders is a good help towards the living expenses +of our own family; and I've counted up, and I think if I could have +four, it would almost entirely pay our running account. And if I had +six, I think we might begin to save money. Oh, Mrs. Faulkner, do you +think we could do it?" + +"Where would you get these boarders?" + +"I don't know; but I thought I would ask you first, and see if you +objected to having other people here. And then, if you didn't, I thought +perhaps I'd write to some of my friends in the city, and see if any of +them wanted to come up for a few weeks." + +"You are a brave little girl, Dorothy," said Mrs. Faulkner, looking into +the eager anxious eyes upturned to hers; "and I must tell you how much +I appreciate your love for your grandmother, and your courage and pluck +in taking up this burden of the family fortunes. I have watched you +through the week, and I have noticed your many little self-denials and +your unfailing patience and perseverance. _I_ know who walked over to +Woodport and back yesterday in the hot sun, in order that I might have +cream for my peaches last night at dinner." + +"Oh, how did you know?" cried Dorothy, blushing at her friend's praise; +"but there was really nobody to send,--the children had been on several +errands,--and so I just went myself." + +"Yes, I know it; and that is only one instance that shows your +determination to have things right. And with that plucky perseverance of +yours, and with your pleasant house, and good helpers, I see no reason +why you shouldn't take a few more boarders if you can get the right +kind. Of course it wouldn't annoy Mr. Faulkner nor myself to have some +other people here; and even if it did, we would have no right or wish +to stand in your way. When you reach the stage of brass bands, and +Saturday hops, that will be time for us to leave you, and push on into +the wilderness." + +"You needn't begin to pack your things to-day," said Dorothy, smiling, +"as it isn't at all likely I can persuade anybody to come,--let alone a +brass band." + +"Suppose I present you with two more guests," said Mrs. Faulkner. + +"Oh," cried Dorothy, "do you know of anybody? Who are they?" + +"You may not like them altogether. They are two ladies who are now over +at the Horton House. They are not enjoying it there, and they asked me +to let them know if I found any place which I thought they would like. +I'm sure they would like it here, and I know they would be glad to come; +but, to be honest about it, they are a little fussy in some ways. They +are spinsters, from Boston, and though they are refined and well-bred +ladies, they are sometimes a little exacting in their requirements." + +"I wouldn't mind what their requirements were, if I could meet them to +their satisfaction." + +"You mustn't take that stand too strictly, Dorothy dear; it is well to +try to give your guests satisfaction, but some requirements are +unreasonable, and it is a mistake to grant them. If these ladies come, +you must exercise your judgment in your treatment of them, for they're +the kind who are quite likely to impose on your good nature." + +"Do you think they would come? How can I find out about them?" + +"Yes, I'm sure they would come; and if you wish me to, I will write to +them." + +"Oh, thank you; I wish you would, please; that is, after I have spoken +to grandma, and to the other children about it. What are their names?" + +"Van Arsdale. Miss Marcia and Miss Amanda. They are quite as imposing as +their names sound; but you need not be really afraid of them. Remember +the Faulkners will always protect you from their ferocity." + +Dorothy laughed; and kissing her good friend, ran away to find the +other children. Having gathered them together, they all went up to +Grandma Dorrance's room for a caucus. + +"It's a new plan!" exclaimed Dorothy, perching herself on grandma's +bureau. As a rule, the more excited the Dorrances were, the higher seats +they selected. At present the twins were sitting on the headboard of the +bed, and Fairy was making unsuccessful endeavors to climb up on the +mantelpiece. + +Grandma Dorrance, well accustomed to these gymnastics, sat in her easy +chair, and placidly awaited Dorothy's further announcement. + +"You see," Dorothy went on, "we've made, and we are making a great +success of our boarders. I've just had a talk with Mrs. Faulkner and +she's quite satisfied; and goodness knows _we_ are." + +"Yes," said Fairy, from a heap of sofa-pillows into which she had just +tumbled, "I do think they are the loveliest people. Why, Mr. Faulkner +says he's going to send to New York for a book, a-purpose for me. It's a +lovely book, all about bugs and slugs and ear-wigs. We went walking +yesterday, and he showed me the funny little houses where beetles and +things live in. Oh, he _is_ a nice man!" + +"Yes," said Dorothy, starting afresh; "it's a great success all around; +and therefore, my beloved brethren, this is my plan. If two boarders are +good, four boarders are twice as good; and so, what do you think of +taking two more guests into our hotel?" + +"At the same rates?" asked Lilian. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, "at the same rates. Just think! that will give us +sixty dollars a week income, and it won't cost us much more than that to +live, even with four boarders." + +"Hooray!" cried Leicester, flinging a pillow up in the air, and catching +it on his head, "hooray for the great financier! proprietor of the +Dorrance Domain!" + +This was followed by a series of ear-splitting cheers; a performance in +which the Dorrances had indulged but seldom during the past week; but +just now the occasion really seemed to demand it. + +"Who are your millionaire friends?" asked Leicester, "and when do they +arrive?" + +"Oh, they don't know yet themselves, that they're coming," said Dorothy, +airily; "and they're two ladies, and their name is Van Arsdale, and +they're very aristocratic, and they want to be waited on every minute, +and I'm sure they won't want any of us to make a speck of noise while +they're here." + +A long low growl from Lilian, started the Dorrance groan, and the other +three joined in with such force and energy, that the next day Mr. +Faulkner inquired privately of grandma the meaning of the fearful sounds +he had heard the day before. + +When they were quiet again, Dorothy explained the whole thing +rationally, and they were all much pleased with her plan. + +Grandma feared that the added responsibility would be too much for her +oldest granddaughter; but the rest all promised to help, and the girls +agreed that they could do even more of the parlor and dining-room work, +and so give Tessie more time to help Kathleen in the kitchen. + +"I suppose the Van Arsdale ladies will register," said Leicester, with a +sudden remembrance of his last experience as a clerk. + +"Yes, of course," said Dorothy; "and we mustn't giggle this time, +either. I'm not at all sure they'll come, but I hope they will; and of +course, if they do they must be received properly." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE VAN ARSDALE LADIES + + +The Van Arsdale ladies did decide to come. On the receipt of Mrs. +Faulkner's note they concluded that the Dorrance Domain was just the +place for them, and they immediately began to make preparations for +leaving the Horton House. + +"Though it's a very queer thing, Amanda," the elder Miss Van Arsdale +said to her sister, "it's a very queer thing for a young girl to be +proprietor of a hotel. I must confess I don't understand it. And I'm not +sure I want to be mixed up with any such ridiculous doings." + +"But Mrs. Faulkner says that it's all right; and that we four will be +the only boarders. That seems to me very exclusive. You know the +Faulkners are all right,--her mother was a Frelinghuysen. I'm not afraid +to risk it, as long as they recommend it." + +"Well, we'll try it for a week, as Mrs. Faulkner advised; and if we +don't like the girl proprietor, we won't have to stay any longer." + +"I don't know what she can be, I'm sure. She can't be of our kind." + +Judging from the effect presented to the eye, the Van Arsdale ladies and +Dorothy Dorrance were not of the same kind. + +They were both elderly spinsters of the type that looks older than it +really is, yet tries to seem younger. They were tall and spare with high +cheek bones, and aquiline, aristocratic noses. These noses seemed to +turn up at everything; and though literally they didn't turn up at all, +yet the effect of turning up was always there. Their large, light blue +eyes were capable of a powerful and penetrating gaze, that was apt to be +extremely disconcerting to the object of their stare. Both ladies had +really beautiful hair of a soft, gray color, which they wore rolled over +high pompadours. They were wealthy, and though economical and even +penurious in some respects, each possessed an inordinate love of dress, +and was willing to spend large sums for gorgeous fabrics made up in the +latest styles. The incongruity of these middle aged and far from +beautiful spinsters, trailing around soft exquisite robes of dainty +coloring, and exquisitely made, afforded much scope for wonderment and +curiosity wherever they went. + +But the sisters cared little or nothing for the comments passed upon +them. They bought their clothes, and wore them, purely for their own +selfish enjoyment; and met with stares of cold contempt, the +half-sarcastic praises offered by some daring ladies at the hotel. + +The day that the Van Arsdales were expected at the Dorrance Domain, +Dorothy and Leicester were prepared to receive them as they had the +others. Lilian and Fairy were allowed to witness the performance this +time, on the strict conditions that they were not to laugh, and none of +the four were to look at each other. + +And so when the Horton House stage came over for the second time, +Grandma Dorrance, the three Dorrance girls, and the two Faulkners were +on the veranda, while Leicester stood nobly at his post in the office. + +Mr. Hickox appeared duly, and made everything all right as usual. But +when he assisted the Van Arsdale ladies out of the stage, he remarked to +himself that his wife would certainly be surprised if she could see them +dresses. + +The elder Miss Van Arsdale wore a silk of the exquisite shade known as +pastel blue; it was made with a jaunty little jacket, opening over an +elaborate white lace waist. A long gold chain hung around her neck, from +which depended innumerable lockets, charms, pencils, purses and +vinaigrettes, in a bewildering array. Her blue hat was decked with white +ostrich plumes, and though Dorothy had been prepared by Mrs. Faulkner +for this display, yet she had not expected quite such a gorgeous +spectacle. + +Miss Amanda Van Arsdale followed her sister; she wore a liberty silk +gown of an old rose color, and a hat with long black ostrich feathers. +She wore no necklace, but from her belt was suspended a large square bag +made entirely of overlapping plates of gold, in which doubtless she +carried the various impedimenta that her sister exhibited. + +Though over-elaborate, these costumes were made in the latest fashion, +and they looked like beautiful and costly gowns, which by some absurd +mistake had been put on the wrong wearers. + +The two advanced with a haughty and somewhat supercilious air, and Mr. +and Mrs. Faulkner rose to greet them. Introductions to the Dorrances +followed, and then Miss Van Arsdale raised her _lorgnon_, and treated +Dorothy to a prolonged inspection. + +"And you are the proprietor of this hotel?" she said. + +"Yes," said Dorothy, smiling; "I am." + +"Well," said Miss Van Arsdale, "you can't fool me. You look to me quite +capable of being the proprietor of anything." + +And somehow, in spite of her peculiar appearance and her brusque ways, +Dorothy felt at once a decided liking for Miss Marcia Van Arsdale. + +Mrs. Faulkner gave a little nod of satisfaction as she saw the good +understanding between these two, and Mr. Faulkner said, genially: + +"Yes, we think our proprietor a very capable young woman." + +Then Dorothy ushered the ladies in to the office and paused at the desk. + +Leicester confessed afterwards that he almost fell off his stool when he +saw Dorothy bringing in two Birds of Paradise, with their feathers +freshly painted. But at the time he preserved a straight face, and +politely offered the register and the pen. + +Miss Marcia, in a bold, dashing hand, signed for them both, and then +Dorothy went herself to their rooms with them,--the faithful Hickox +bringing up the rear. + +On reaching the rooms, Dorothy offered to assist the ladies in removing +their hats and veils, but Miss Marcia only stared at her. "Send me a +maid," she said; "a lady's maid." + +Then Dorothy, who was acting under Mrs. Faulkner's direction, said +quietly: + +"Miss Van Arsdale, this is not a fully equipped hotel, and we do not +have ladies' maids. The chambermaid, Tessie, will attend to your rooms, +and such outside service as you may require. Also, my sisters and I will +be glad to help you occasionally, as we often help one another. But a +regular ladies' maid to assist at your toilet, we cannot provide. May I +help you unpin your veil?" + +Miss Marcia Van Arsdale looked at Dorothy again through her glasses. + +"You're the right sort," she said, "and I like your plain speaking. I'm +plain-spoken myself. We'll get along all right, and I shall send for my +parrot." + +"Oh," exclaimed Dorothy, "have you a parrot?" + +"Yes, a very beautiful and valuable bird. But I never take her anywhere, +until I know just what sort of a place it's going to be. I shall send +for her to-morrow." + +Not knowing the high esteem in which Miss Van Arsdale held her parrot, +Dorothy did not fully appreciate the magnitude of this compliment. So +she merely said, "We shall be very glad to welcome Polly." + +"I do not allow her to be called Polly," said Miss Van Arsdale, with a +sudden return to her supercilious manner. "My bird's name is Mary,--and +I strongly disapprove of nicknames of any sort." + +A parrot named Mary struck Dorothy as very funny, but she was learning +to control her sense of humor when necessary, and she replied: "Very +well, Miss Van Arsdale, we shall be glad to welcome Mary." + +"Thank you," said Miss Van Arsdale, formally; "and I will ask you to +have her cage moved about at my direction, during the day, in accordance +with the sun and the weather." + +Dorothy considered a minute, and concluded that this was one of the +times to humor Miss Van Arsdale. + +So she said, "I will see to it that the cage is placed wherever you +desire." + +The repetition of this conversation to the others caused great hilarity. + +"Mary!" cried Leicester; "a parrot called Mary! but _I_ should not dare +be so familiar with the bird as to call her Mary. I shall say Miss Mary, +and shall always address her with my best dancing-school bow." + +The parrot arrived duly, and proved to be such a superior bird, and so +interesting and attractive, that the children all fell in love with her. +The name of Polly was entirely unsuited to such a dignified creature, +and Mary seemed far more appropriate. + +The bird's plumage was of brilliant coloring, and Lilian declared that +the Van Arsdale ladies copied their own clothes from Miss Mary's. The +parrot was an exceedingly fine talker, and readily picked up new +phrases. + +Whenever the Van Arsdale ladies entered the room, Mary would remark, +"Hurrah for Miss Marcia!" or, "Hurrah for Miss Amanda!" as the case +might be. This hurrahing was quite in line with the Dorrances' own mode +of expression, and they soon taught Mary to hurrah for each of them by +name. + +Although on the whole, the Misses Van Arsdale were satisfactory +boarders, they were far more difficult than the easy-going Faulkners. +Miss Marcia had a most irritating way of popping out of her room, and +calling over the banister, "Clerk, clerk!" + +Since the moment of registration, she had looked upon Leicester as the +official clerk of the hotel, and applied to him a dozen times a day for +things that she wanted or thought she wanted. + +Usually these applications were made by screaming from the head of the +staircase. Sometimes the request was for stationery,--again for hot +water, warm water, cold water, or ice water. Miss Amanda, too, made +similar demands, and was given to calling for a glass of milk at five +o'clock in the morning, or a few sandwiches after everybody had retired +for the night. + +But Dorothy was learning that the way to success is not always a +primrose path, and she cheerfully did her best to accede to such of +these demands as she considered just and reasonable. And she tried, too, +to look at the justice and reasonableness from the standpoint of her +guests' rather than her own opinions. + +The children had agreed that whenever Miss Marcia desired Mary's cage +moved, any one of the four was to do it. And it was fortunate that the +task was thus divided, for Miss Marcia was fussy, and twenty times a +day, or more, one of the Dorrances might be seen carrying the large cage +from the hall to the veranda, from the veranda to the parlor, from the +parlor to the upper balcony, and so on. + +But as careful attention to Mary's welfare was one of the principal +conditions of the Van Arsdales' continued stay at the Dorrance Domain, +and too, as the children were one and all devoted to the bird, this work +was not objected to. + +Dorothy was most anxious to keep her four boarders through the rest of +the summer. For the plan was working successfully, and though providing +a well-spread and even bounteous table, Dorothy found she could save a +little money. She was not avaricious nor mercenary, but she longed to be +able, at the close of the season, to present Grandma Dorrance with at +least a small sum of money, to help pay their winter expenses. + +And so, when Miss Marcia one day made a proposition to her, Dorothy +hailed it with delight. + +The suggestion was that Miss Van Arsdale should ask her niece to come up +to the Dorrance Domain to board, and to bring her whole family. + +The family consisted of Mrs. Black, three small children and two nurses; +Mr. Black might possibly come up occasionally, but would remain only a +few days at a time. + +Children! Dorothy remembered only too well, how children were objected +to in boarding-houses, and she wondered if she dare undertake to have +them in her hotel. She realized, too, that six or seven more people +would necessitate some radical changes in her methods, and in her +household appointments. Indeed, it meant a change from an experiment to +the real thing. It meant assuming obligations much more formal than she +was under towards her present guests. + +On the other hand, Mrs. Black was wealthy, Miss Van Arsdale said, and +quite willing to pay generously for all she received. + +"I want to do it, Miss Marcia," said Dorothy,--"I want to do it very +much; but it is a big question to decide. So I'll take twenty-four hours +to think it over, and to discuss it with the others, and to-morrow I +will let you know." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A REAL HOTEL + + +At the family conference on the subject, Grandma Dorrance said No. The +gentle old lady was more than usually decided, and she said, that while +the Faulkners and Van Arsdales were charming people, and more like +visitors than boarders, a family of children, with nurses, was an +altogether different matter, and meant far more trouble and +complications than Dorothy could realize. + +"Oh, grannymother dear," said Dorothy, "I don't think so. Miss Marcia +says that Mrs. Black is a lovely lady, not a bit fussy; and children and +nurses can't be as much responsibility as grown people. Why, they +wouldn't be critical at all." + +"Not critical, perhaps, but far more troublesome in their own way." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Leicester; "the reason people didn't want us +children in boarding-houses was because we made so much noise. Now we +don't care how much noise these kids make, and there's room enough for +the people who do care, to get away from the racket." + +"We would have to have more servants," said Lilian; "and wouldn't that +cut down the profits a good deal?" + +"I've been thinking about that," said Dorothy, "and I've come to this +conclusion. If we should take all these people, we would have to get +another chambermaid, and another helper in the kitchen. A young girl to +pare the vegetables, and help with the dish washing. Of course with so +many extra people, more waitresses will be necessary; but as you say, +Lilian, if we hire a lot of servants it will make our profits pretty +slim. And so I propose that we three girls wait on the table." + +"Oh, no, children," cried Grandma Dorrance; "I won't allow anything of +that sort!" + +"Now wait a minute, grandma," said Dorothy; "don't say things that +you'll just have to take back afterwards. There is no disgrace at all in +waiting on a table. Lots of college girls and boys do it right along, +in the colleges,--and they go to summer hotels, too, and wait on the +tables there. Now we children want to earn some money to help you; after +you've taken care of us all these years, I'm sure it's no more than +right. And if this way of earning money isn't easier and pleasanter than +going into a store, I'll give up. What do the rest of you say?" + +"I say, let's go ahead," declared Leicester; "if the four of us agree, +we can persuade grandma. She never really refused us anything in our +lives. And as to waiting on the table, I'd just as leave do it myself, +as not. As you say, Dot, lots of college fellows do it, and it's no more +disgrace than being president. And then we can all eat by ourselves +afterwards, and have a jolly old time." + +"I'd love to wait on the table," said Fairy; "I think it would be +gorgeous fun. Shall we all wear caps, and aprons with big white wings +sticking out of the shoulders?" + +"No," said Dorothy, "not caps. We'll wear white aprons, but not with +shoulder-ruffles." + +"I shall have shoulder-ruffles on mine," said Leicester, decidedly; +"and I shall wear a cap, too." + +Even grandma laughed at this; but Dorothy said, "No, Less, I don't want +you to wait on the table, at least not until we really need you. We +girls can do it, with Tessie's help." + +"Well, what _can_ I do?" said Leicester; "it won't take all my time to +register the people who come." + +"There'll be enough for you to do, old fellow," said Dorothy; "you can +go to market every day, and answer Miss Marcia's calls, and move Mary +around. Then if you have any time left, you can amuse the three Black +babies." + +"Pickaninnies, are they?" said Leicester; "then I'll fill them up on +watermelon." + +Although Grandma Dorrance weakened somewhat in her disapproval of the +plan, yet it was not until Mrs. Faulkner was called in, and her opinion +asked, that grandma gave an entire consent. + +Mrs. Faulkner was so sweet and sensible about the whole matter, and so +judicious in her advice and suggestions, that grandma was much +influenced by her view of the case. + +Mrs. Faulkner quite agreed with Dorothy about the girls acting as +waitresses, and strongly approved of the children's desire to add to +their finances. + +She also advised Dorothy to charge good prices for the accommodation of +the children and nurses, because, she said, they were quite as great a +responsibility in their way, as Mrs. Black herself. + +As Dorothy had hoped, Mr. Bill Hodges was able to recommend a young girl +whom he knew, to help Kathleen in the kitchen; and Tessie knew of a +competent chambermaid who would be glad to come up from the city for a +while. + +So Dorothy wrote to Mrs. Black, and stated frankly what she had to +offer, and what her rates were, and Mrs. Black telegraphed back that she +might expect the whole family as soon as they could get there. + +And so it came to pass, that again Leicester stood behind his open +register, and the proprietor of the Dorrance Domain awaited her new +relay of guests. + +Though Dorothy was not as much embarrassed this time, as when she +expected her first guests, and had far less sense of humor in the +situation, she had a better poise and a greater self-confidence, which +came necessarily from her so far successful experiences. + +But when she saw the cavalcade approaching, her heart began to beat a +little faster, and worse than that, she found it impossible to keep from +laughing. + +The Blacks had come up by rail, and had apparently annexed all the +available vehicles at the station to transport them. There was a +rockaway first, then two buggies, then two large spring wagons, and then +a buckboard. In the wagons were several trunks, three baby-carriages and +a number of queer-shaped forms carefully wrapped, which afterwards +proved to be portable bath-tubs, a cradle and a folding crib. + +Dorothy began to think that for once, Mr. Hickox would not prove equal +to the occasion; but he reassured her with his usual statements that it +would be all right, and that he would look after things. + +The rockaway came first, and Mr. and Mrs. Black were helped out by Mr. +Hickox in his most official manner. + +Mrs. Black was a delicate, helpless-looking little lady; very pretty, in +a pale blonde way, and seemingly very dependent on her big, good-looking +husband. Mr. Benjamin Black was one of those hearty, cordial-mannered +men, who make friends at once. + +He brought Mrs. Black up the steps, and advancing to Dorothy with +outstretched hand, said pleasantly: "I'm sure this is our proprietor, +Miss Dorrance." + +"Yes," said Dorothy, put at her ease at once, and shaking hands with +them both; "I'm very glad to see you." + +"We are glad to be here," said Mr. Black. "The trip was very warm and +tiresome. But this place is most charming." + +"And so cool and quiet," said Mrs. Black, sinking into a chair, and +looking, Dorothy thought, as if she never meant to rise again. + +By this time the other vehicles were depositing their cargoes, both +human and freight, and for a moment Dorothy wondered if the Dorrance +Domain were large enough to hold the entire collection. + +One of the nurses was French, and was talking volubly in her own +language to the two children who held her by the hands. One of these +children, a girl of five years, was answering her nurse, also in French; +while the other, a younger boy, was crying loudly, but whether in French +or English, nobody could quite make out. + +The other nurse was a large and stout German woman, who was crooning a +German folk-song to the baby she carried in her arm. Apparently the baby +cared little for German music, for the small infant was pounding its +nurse's face with both tiny fists, and making strange gurgling sounds +which might be caused either by joy or grief. + +All these people came up on the veranda; and after persuading one of the +drivers to stay and help him, Mr. Hickox began to carry the luggage into +the house. + +With a successful effort at composure, Dorothy paid no attention to the +children and nurses, and conducted Mr. Black to the office. + +"Ah," said he to Leicester; "how do you do, sir, how do you do? Fine +place you have up here. Very fine place. Glad I brought my family. Hope +they won't make you any trouble." + +As the commotion on the veranda seemed to increase each moment, +Leicester did not echo this hope, but spoke pleasantly to Mr. Black, and +turned the register towards him. + +The gentleman registered Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Black, Miss Sylvia Black, +Master Montmorency Black, Miss Gwendolen Genevieve Black, Mlle. +Celestine, and Fraulein Lisa Himmelpfennig. + +Leicester looked proudly at this array of names which reached half-way +down the page, and ringing for Mr. Hickox, he gave him the keys of the +rooms set aside for the party, and the caravan started up-stairs. + +Dorothy went with them, both because she thought it proper to do so, and +because she felt an interest in seeing the family properly distributed. + +Leicester left his official desk, and found plenty to do in disposing of +the baby-carriages, and the other paraphernalia. + +It was strange, Dorothy thought to herself as she came down-stairs, how +much more easily, and as a matter of course she took the Blacks' arrival +than she had the previous ones. + +"I must have been born for a hotel proprietor," she said to herself; +"for I don't feel any worry or anxiety about the dinner or anything. I +just _know_ everything will be all right." + +As she reached the foot of the staircase, she met Fairy, who was just +carrying Mary's cage into the north parlor. + +"Hurrah for Dorothy!" croaked the parrot, catching sight of her. + +"Ah, Miss Mary, you'll have a lot of new names to hurrah for now, and +jaw-breakers at that. I shouldn't wonder if they'd break even a parrot's +jaw, and they may bend that big yellow beak of yours." + +"She can learn them," said Fairy, confidently. "Miss Mary can learn +anything. She's the cleverest, smartest, educatedest bird in the whole +world. There's _nothing_ she can't learn." + +"Pretty Mary," said the bird in its queer, croaking voice; "move Mary's +cage. Hurrah for Fairy!" + +"There, just hear that!" exclaimed Fairy, proudly; "now I rather guess a +bird like that could learn to hurrah for anybody." + +"Well," said Dorothy, "but you don't know yet that these children's +names are Gwendolen Genevieve, and Montmorency." + +"What!" cried Fairy, nearly dropping the cage, "of course no parrot +could learn such names as those." + +"And Miss Marcia objects to nicknames," said Dorothy. "These new people +aren't a bit like their aunts, though." + +"When are they coming down?" asked Lilian, who had joined her sisters; +"I wish they'd get that procession of baby-carriages started. I want to +see the show." + +At that moment, the French nurse, Celestine, came down-stairs with the +two older children. The little ones had been freshly dressed, and looked +extremely pretty. Sylvia was in crisp white muslin, with fluttering +bows of pink ribbon, and Montmorency wore a boyish garb of white pique. + +"Won't you speak to me?" asked Lilian, putting out her hand to the +little girl. + +"No," said the child, hiding her face in her nurse's apron; "do away. +I's af'aid." + +"Mees Sylvie,--she is afraid of everything," said Celestine; "she is a +naughty--naughty,--a bad ma'amselle." + +"No, no," cried Sylvia; "me not bad. Me dood ma'selle." + +"Me dood!" announced three year old Montmorency; "me no ky. On'y babies +ky. Me bid man!" + +"You are good," said Fairy, "and you're a nice big man. Come with me, +and I'll show you where I'm going to put this pretty green bird." + +"Ess," said the little boy, and grasping hold of Fairy's frock he +willingly trotted along by her side. + +Whereupon Sylvia, overcoming her bashfulness, concluded she, too, wanted +to go with the green bird. + +So Celestine and her charges accompanied the Dorrance girls to the north +parlor, and there they found the Van Arsdale ladies, who sat waiting in +state to receive their newly arrived relatives. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +UPS AND DOWNS + + +The days that followed were crammed full of both business and pleasure. +Dorothy rose each morning, buoyant with eager hope that all would go +well, and went to bed each night, rejoicing in the fact that in the main +it had done so. + +There was plenty of work to do; but it was cheerfully done, and many +hands made it light, and comparatively easy. There were many small +worries and anxieties, but they were overcome by perseverance and +determination. + +The Dorrance pride was inherent in all four children, and having set +their hand to the plough, not only were they unwilling to turn back, but +they were determined to make the best possible furrow. Although Dorothy +was at the helm, and all important matters were referred to her, yet the +others had their appointed tasks and did them each day, promptly and +well. + +Now that the Domain had assumed more of the character of a hotel, the +Dorrances saw less of their boarders, socially. Also the large +dining-room was used, and the guests seated in families at various +tables. This gave a far more hotel-like air to the house, and though +perhaps not quite as pleasant, it seemed to Dorothy the right thing to +do. + +The Faulkners were ideal boarders; the Van Arsdales, though more +exacting, were just and considerate; but the Blacks, as Leicester +expressed it, were a caution. + +Mrs. Black was a continual and never-pausing fusser. Mr. Black remained +two days to get them settled, and then returned to the city. Immediately +after his departure, Mrs. Black insisted on changing her room. + +"I didn't want to bother my husband about it," she said to Dorothy, "for +he thinks I'm so fickle-minded; but truly, it isn't that. You see, the +sun gets around to this room at just half-past three, and that's the +time I'm always taking my nap, and so of course it wakes me up. Now you +see, I can't stand that,--when I came up here for rest and recuperation. +And so, my dear Miss Dorrance, if you don't mind, I'll just take some +other room. I'm sure you have plenty of them, and if that big, strong +Mr. Hickox will help move my things, I'm sure it will be no trouble at +all. Perhaps your sister Fairy will look after the children a little +bit, while Celestine and Lisa assist me. The baby is asleep, and perhaps +she won't waken, but if she does, would Miss Lilian mind holding her for +just a little while? or she might take her out in her baby-carriage for +a bit of a ride. I'm sorry to be troublesome, but you see for yourself, +I really can't help it." + +If Mrs. Black really _was_ sorry to be troublesome, she must have been +sorry most of the time. For she was everlastingly making changes of some +sort, or desiring attention from somebody, and she quite imposed on the +good nature of the younger Dorrances, by begging them to take care of +her children upon all too frequent occasions. Once, even Leicester was +surprised to find himself wheeling Montmorency up and down the veranda, +while Mrs. Black finished a letter to go in the mail. + +The Van Arsdale ladies also were under the calm, but imperious sway of +their fragile-looking niece. It was nothing unusual to see Miss Marcia +and Miss Amanda each holding one of the fretful children, and making +frantic endeavors to amuse their young relatives. The nurses were +competent, but Mrs. Black so often had errands for them that their young +charges were frequently in the care of other people. + +Dorothy talked this matter over with Mrs. Faulkner, and as usual was +wisely counseled by that lady. She advised, that in so far as Lilian and +Fairy wished to play with the Black children, they should do so; but in +no way were they under obligation to assist Mrs. Black in the care of +her little ones. And, if she requested this at times when the girls had +duties to perform, or indeed at a time when they wished to take their +recreation, Mrs. Faulkner said they were perfectly justified in asking +Mrs. Black to excuse them. + +Dorothy told this to her sisters, who were thereby much relieved; for +though fond of the children, they did not, as Lilian said, wish to be +pushing around those Black babies in perambulators from morning till +night. But somehow the babies caused a great deal of commotion, and +Dorothy began to understand why boarding-house keepers preferred grown +people. + +One day as the Dorrance girls sat on the veranda, Celestine came running +to them, wringing her hands, after her French method of showing great +dismay, and exclaiming: + +"Mees Sylvie,--she have fallen into ze lake!" + +"What!" exclaimed the three girls at once, jumping up, and running +towards the lake; "where did she fall in? How did it happen?" + +"Non, non,--not zat way! zis a-way," and Celestine started down a path +that did not lead towards the lake. "I have pull her out; she is not +drown,--but she is,--oh, so ver' soil,--so, vat you say,--muddy, oh, so +much muddy!" + +"Never mind the mud if the child isn't drowned," cried Lilian; "but +this is not the way to the lake. You said she fell in the lake." + +"Not ze gran' lake, mees, but ze small lake,--ze ver' small, p'tit +lake." + +"Oh, she means nothing but a mud-puddle!" cried Fairy, who had run ahead +of the rest, and found Sylvia lying on the grass, chuckling with +laughter, while her pretty clothes were a mass of mud and wet. + +"I falled in!" she cried, gleefully; "I failed in all myself, when +C'lestine wasn't looking. Ain't I a funny dirl?" + +"No, I don't think it's funny," began Dorothy, and then she paused, +realizing that it was not her duty to reprimand Mrs. Black's children, +and, too, Sylvia certainly did look funny. Not only her white dress, but +her face and hands, and her dainty white slippers and stockings were +bespattered with brown mud, and Lilian said that she looked like a +chocolate eclair. + +Another day, Celestine approached Dorothy with the pleasing news that, +"Master Montmorency, he must have upsetted the blanc-mange." + +Dorothy flew to verify this statement, and found that the son of the +house of Black had indeed overturned a large dish of Bavarian cream, +which Kathleen had made for that evening's dessert. It had been set out +on the back porch to cool, and though protected by a wire screen cover, +the enterprising youth had succeeded in wrecking the whole affair. + +Dorothy's record for good-nature was seriously menaced by this +mischievous prank, and she would probably have told Mrs. Black her +honest opinion of the transgressing infant; but Kathleen's view of the +case disarmed her. + +"Whisht, now, darlint," said the big peace-maker, "niver you mind. I'll +whishk up another bowl full in a minute, shure. The shpalpeen didn't +mane anny harrum. Troth, he's nothin' but a baby. Wasn't ye wan yersilf +wanst? Go 'long wid ye, now, and lave me to me wurruk." + +This Dorothy was glad enough to do, and she walked away, feeling that +Kathleen had taught her a lesson in making allowance for the +unconsciousness of a child's wrongdoing. + +When she reached the west veranda she found the whole family and all +the guests gathered there in a great state of excitement. + +Following Lilian's pointing finger with her eyes, she saw Mary, the +parrot, perched calmly on a high limb of an evergreen-tree. + +"How did she get out?" cried Dorothy, aghast. + +"Sylvia opened the cage door," answered Lilian, "when no one was +looking,--and Mary just walked out. You should have seen her climbing +that tree. She went up branch by branch." + +The parrot looked triumphantly down at the crowd, and remarked, "Mary is +high up; Mary is very high up." + +"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, beseechingly; "come down, Mary,--pretty +Mary,--come down to Dorothy." + +"Hurrah for Dorothy!" cried the parrot,--"hurrah for Sylvia! hurrah for +the Dorrance Domain!" + +This last cheer had been taught to Mary by Leicester, after many long +and patient lessons, and never before had Mary spoken it so plainly and +distinctly. + +By this time the Van Arsdale ladies were in tears; Fairy, too, was +weeping, for she felt sure Mary would fly away and never come back. The +Black children required very little encouragement to start their +lachrymal glands, and seeing the others' tears, immediately began to +howl in various keys. + +"Don't cry, don't cry!" said Mary, from her high perch. + +"Come down, Mary," said Dorothy, coaxingly, and showing an apple and a +cracker which she had procured; "come down and get your dinner." + +But no urgings would induce the bird to come down. She cocked her eye +wickedly, and hurrahed for everybody in turn, but utterly refused to +descend. + +"Ach, donnerblitzen!" exclaimed German Lisa. "Denn du bist ein dumkopf! +Kommst du jetz hinein!" + +"Ciel! what a bird it is!" wailed Celestine, wringing her hands; "ah, +Marie, belle Marie, come down, cherie!" + +But the French coaxing, and the German scolding had no more effect on +Mary than the weeping of the Van Arsdale ladies and the screaming of +the children. She fluttered her wings, and seemed about to depart. Then +she would look at them again, and with her exasperating winks, would +hurrah enthusiastically. + +"If she'll only stay there long enough, perhaps I can lasso her," said +Leicester, running in the house for a string. + +"No," said Mr. Faulkner, who followed him in, "I'm afraid that would +frighten her; but if you had a butterfly net, with a very long handle, +we might catch her with that." + +"Just the thing," said Leicester; "and there is one in the storeroom; I +remember seeing it there." + +He brought it, but the handle was not long enough; so Mr. Faulkner +proposed that they try placing a ladder against another tree near by, +and then from the top of that, endeavor to reach the bird with a net. + +Mary watched the proceedings with great interest. "Catch Mary!" she +cried; "catch pretty Mary!" + +"You bet we will!" cried Leicester, and when the ladder was adjusted he +climbed to the top of it, carrying the long-handled net with him. + +They all thought the bird would be frightened at the net and fly away, +or at least attempt to do so. + +But she seemed to think it a game in which she played an important part, +and she sat quietly on the branch, occasionally remarking, "Catch Mary, +pretty Mary!" + +With a sure aim, Leicester pushed the net towards the bird and brought +it down over her head, then with a dextrous twist, he turned it upside +down, with the bird in it, and lowered it carefully to Mr. Faulkner, who +was standing below. At this unexpected indignity, Mary set up a +ferocious squawking, the Black children redoubled their yells, and the +Dorrance children cheered with delight. + +Mary was taken from the net, unharmed, and restored to her happy +mistress, who determined to send to town at once for a padlock for the +cage door. + +But though commotions such as these were of frequent, almost daily +occurrence; yet when they were not such as to interfere with the +routine of her household management, Dorothy did not allow them to worry +her. + +Although usually busy all the morning, she found many spare hours for +rest and recreation in the afternoon; and the evenings were always +delightful. The Black children were then safely in bed, and could make +no trouble. The Dorrances were at liberty to be by themselves, or with +their boarders, as they wished. + +As Mr. Faulkner played the guitar, and Leicester could pick a little on +the mandolin, and as they all could sing,--or fancied they could,--there +were often very jolly concerts on the veranda, or, on moonlight +evenings, out in the boat. + +Mr. Black came up every week, and when he discovered the array of +musical talent already there, he brought his banjo, and added greatly to +the fun. Sometimes on rainy evenings, they would all congregate in the +great empty ballroom, and play merry games. On such occasions, the +Blacks and Faulkners seemed almost as young, and nearly as noisy as the +Dorrances. + +One day Leicester came to Dorothy, with a letter. + +"Jack Harris has just written me," he said, "and he wants to come up +here and board for a month; what do you think?" + +"Let him come, by all means," said Dorothy, heartily; "he won't be a bit +of extra trouble, and if he will pay our regular rates I shall be glad +to have him. The Dorrance Domain is now a fully established summer +hotel; and we are prepared to receive all who apply." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +TWO BOYS AND A BOAT + + +It was nearly a week after Leicester had written to Jack Harris, telling +him that he might come up and board at the hotel, when, one afternoon, +the Dorrance children heard queer sounds coming up from the direction of +the dock. + +All four ran to look over the rail of the upper landing, and saw a +strange-looking craft anchored at the dock. On the dock were two boys +and Mr. Hickox; the latter gentleman apparently much excited and +interested. + +"It's Jack Harris!" cried Leicester, "and another fellow with him; and, +oh, I say, girls, they've got a motor-boat!" + +"What's a motor-boat?" cried Fairy; but as all four were then flying +down the steps at a rapid speed, nobody answered her. + +Wondering who the second boy could be, and filled with delightful +curiosity as to the wonderful motor-boat, the Dorrances reached the +dock with astonishing rapidity. + +"Hi, Jack," cried Leicester, "thought you were coming up by train. What +a dandy boat! Yours?" + +"No," said Jack, whipping off his cap, and shaking hands with Dorothy; +"it belongs to my chum here, Bob Irwin. I've brought him along, Dorothy, +and I hope you can take us both in. Less said you had plenty of room. I +would have written, but Bob only decided to come at the last minute, and +we were so busy and excited getting the boat off, that I forgot to +telegraph, though I meant to do so." + +Bob Irwin was a big, jolly-looking boy, of about seventeen or eighteen, +and his smile was so broad and comprehensive that the Dorrances felt +acquainted at once. + +"Indeed we have plenty of room," said Dorothy, answering young Irwin's +greeting; "and we're very glad to have you both,--and your boat too," +she added, still looking with a sort of fascination at the trim little +affair. + +"She is a jolly little craft," said Bob Irwin, frankly; "I've only had +her a few weeks. I named her _Shooting Star_, because she goes like one. +We came all the way up from Jersey City by the canal." + +"All the way!" exclaimed Lilian; "what fun you must have had coming +through the locks!" + +"Well yes,--but there were so many of them. The planes were worse, +though; _Shooting Star_ didn't take to those kindly at all. However, +we're here; and if you'll keep us, we'll all have a good deal of fun on +this lake." + +"I didn't know you could come all the way by canal," said Leicester. +"Are they willing to open the locks for you?" + +"Oh, Bob's uncle is a Grand High Mogul or something in the canal +company, and he gave us a permit. I tell you it was great fun; the boat +goes like a greased arrow." + +"Would you like to go for a little spin around the lake, now, all of +you?" asked Bob. + +"No,--not now," said Dorothy, looking at her watch. "We'd love to, but +it is too near dinner-time for us to go now. You know, as hotel +proprietors, we have duties to attend to at scheduled hours; and we must +be found at our posts." + +Though said with apparent carelessness, this was really a brave bit of +self-denial on Dorothy's part. For she was eager to try the pretty boat, +and, too, there was nearly a half hour before her presence at the hotel +was actually necessary. + +But she had learned by experience that to go out on the lake was a +proceeding which could not be accurately timed, and she knew that her +duty pointed towards keeping on the safe side. Beside this, she must +have another room put in readiness, for she had expected only Jack. + +"But I _do_ want to go out in the motor-boater," cried Fairy, dancing +around the dock, and waving her arms. "Will you take us some other time, +Mr. Bob?" + +"Indeed I will," said Bob, heartily; "and anyway, it's just as well to +take our traps up now, and get settled." + +"Hickox is your man," said that long individual, suddenly interrupting +his own investigation of the marvelous boat. "Hickox'll cart your truck +up the hill. Where might it be?" + +"Here you are," and Bob sprang into the _Shooting Star_ and tossed out +three suit cases and a lot of odds and ends of luggage. "But we fellows +can carry them up." + +"No, sir, no, sir; Hickox'll look after things. It'll be all right." + +Jack laughed at the familiar phrases, and Bob Irwin looked on with +amusement while Mr. Hickox stowed the things in his queer-looking cart. + +"And this is for you and your sisters, Miss Dorothy," said Bob, as he +emerged with a final parcel. + +There was no mistaking the contents of the neatly tied up box of candy; +but it was of such a size that it nearly took the girls' breath away. + +"Oh, thank you," cried Dorothy, dimpling with smiles. "I haven't had a +speck of New York candy since I've been here. And the Woodville +gum-drops are so highly colored and so stiff inside, that they're not a +bit of fun." + +"They were made summer before last, too," said Leicester; "they ought to +be sold as antiques." + +"A whole big box of candy for our very own!" cried Fairy; "oh, that's +better than the promoter-boat, or whatever you call it. And part of the +candy is _my_ very own, isn't it, Mr. Bob?" + +"Yes, indeed; to do whatever you like with." + +"Then I shall give half of my share to Mrs. Hickox. She'll be _so_ +surprised. I don't believe she ever saw any real choklits or +butter-cuppers." + +Leicester carried the precious box, and the six children climbed the +steps to the Dorrance Domain. Naturally, Fairy reached the top first, +and ran up the veranda steps, shouting, "Oh, grannymother! we've got two +new boarders, and they came in an automobile-ship, and they brought a +bushel of candy, real splendiferous New York candy,--and his name is +Bob!" + +Grandma Dorrance had always liked Leicester's friend Jack, and she +willingly extended her welcome to the pleasant-faced Bob. + +The two boys were a decided addition to the gayety of the Dorrance +Domain. + +And the _Shooting Star_ proved to be an equally desirable adjunct. +Instead of rowing over to Dolan's Point each morning for the marketing, +or harnessing old Dobbin and driving there, the swift little motor-boat +did the errand in less than half the time, and was moreover a pleasure +and delight. + +Besides this there were merry excursions on the lake in the afternoons +and evenings. + +One day, when they had started out immediately after luncheon, and, +owing to Mr. Black's expected arrival, were to have a late dinner, the +six children made an exploring tour of the whole lake. + +"I want to find out," said Bob, as they started off, "what feeds this +lake. There must be several inlets and some of them large ones. A lake +nine miles long has got to be fed by something." + +"This lake is so tame it would eat out of your hand," said Leicester. + +"Even so, _I_ wouldn't want to feed it," said Dorothy; "my present array +of table boarders is quite enough for me, thank you." + +"There _is_ an inlet," said Lilian, "just this side of Dolan's Point. +The one that has the floating bridge across it, you know." + +"But that isn't enough to make any impression on this big lake," +insisted Bob; "there must be two or three arms somewhere, and if there +are, we'll find them to-day; for I'm going all around the shores of the +lake." + +So the _Shooting Star_ shot ahead, and skirted the margin of the lake +for miles and miles. + +But except the one at Dolan's Point, no inlet of any sort was +discovered, and the round trip was completed by a crowd of mystified +explorers. + +"It's the queerest thing!" said Bob, whose scientific inquiries were +prompted by a tenacious mind. "The water in Lake Ponetcong certainly +must come from somewhere." + +"I think it rains in," said Fairy, with a sage expression. "It hasn't +rained much this summer, but it rained a lot when we were in New York, +and I s'pose the water just stayed in." + +"I think it just was here from the beginning," said Lilian, "and somehow +it never got away." + +"That would do for some lakes," said Dorothy; "but here, they're always +letting it out through the locks; and it does seem as if it would have +to be filled up again, some way." + +That evening the children put the puzzling question to Mr. Faulkner. He +was a great favorite with the crowd of young people, and though a +scientific man, he was capable of making explanations that were entirely +comprehensible to their youthful minds. + +They were all interested, though perhaps Bob Irwin was more especially +so, in learning that Lake Ponetcong was fed entirely by springs in its +bed. + +This phrase pleased the Dorrance children very much, as their sense of +humor was touched by what they chose to call the spring-bed of the lake. + +But Bob was more seriously interested, and listened attentively to Mr. +Faulkner's description of what was an unusual, though not unprecedented +phenomenon. + +Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner accompanied them on their motor-boat +trips; sometimes, too, Mr. and Mrs. Black went; but the Van Arsdale +ladies refused to be persuaded to risk their lives in any such +mysterious contrivance. + +The Black children and their nurses were taken out once, but upon their +return Bob Irwin declared himself unwilling ever again to carry such an +emotional and cosmopolitan crowd. The baby shrieked and yelled in +English, the French nurse and German nurse shrieked in their respective +languages, and the way they all jumped about was really a serious menace +to safety. + +There seemed to be no end to the energies or the resources of the three +boys in providing pleasure and entertainment. + +Jack and Bob shared Leicester's duties as a matter of course; and though +Leicester protested, the others insisted on helping him in whatever he +had to do. They froze ice cream, they mowed the grass, they split +kindling-wood,--and they looked on these things as pastimes rather than +tasks. They were big, strong, good-natured fellows, and firm friends and +admirers of all the Dorrances. + +Bob declared that although he drew the line at pushing the Black babies' +perambulators, yet he was perfectly willing to act as Miss Mary's escort +whenever desired. + +One notable achievement of the boys', was a roof-garden. Jack had +discovered the possibilities of the hotel roof during his earlier visit; +and at his proposition it was arranged most attractively. + +Small evergreen trees were brought from the woods and taken up to the +roof where they were made to stand about in hedges or clusters. Rustic +chairs, settees and tables were found in the storerooms, and rugs were +placed about. Hammocks were swung, and over the top of all was rigged an +awning, which could be rolled away if desired. + +Chinese lanterns made the place gay by night, and flags and bunting +formed part of the decoration. + +Summer night concerts were often held here, and when Tessie would +appear with iced lemonade and cakes and fruit, everybody declared that +never had there been a hotel so admirably managed as the Dorrance +Domain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION + + +Though Dorothy enjoyed the fun of the motor-boat and the roof-garden, +and was always happy whether working or playing, yet perhaps she liked +best of all, to lie in her hammock of a summer afternoon, and read or +day-dream as she looked across the lake and watched the shadows on the +distant hills. + +On these occasions she felt sure she could be a poet, if she only knew +how to express properly the fancies that danced through her brain. + +Sometimes she would provide herself with a pencil and paper, but though +she might write a line or a phrase, she never could get any further. The +attempt to put her thoughts into words always produced a crude and +stilted result which she knew instinctively was not poetry. + +"If I only could learn the wordy part of it," she said to herself, "I am +sure I have the right thoughts to put into a poem." + +As she lay thinking about all this, one warm afternoon, she suddenly +heard a voice say: "_Is_ this a hotel, or isn't it?" + +Dorothy jumped, and sitting up in her hammock, saw a strange lady, who +had apparently just walked into the Domain. + +The newcomer was of the aggressive type. She was short and stout, with a +determined-looking face and a rather unattractive personal appearance. +She wore a short, thick brown walking-skirt, and a brown linen +shirt-waist, and heavy common-sense shoes. A plain brown felt hat was +tied securely to her head by means of a brown veil knotted under her +chin. She carried in one hand a small suit-case, and in the other a +stout walking-stick. + +Pretty Dorothy, in her fluffy summer muslin, looked at the stranger +curiously a moment, and then, quickly recovering her poise, said +politely: "Yes, this is a hotel. Are you looking for board?" + +"No," said the stranger, "I am on a tramp. In fact I _am_ a tramp, a +lady-tramp. I am spending the whole summer walking about the country, +enjoying myself." + +"You are fond of walking, then?" said Dorothy, by way of making +conversation. + +"No, I am not," replied the lady-tramp; "I am doing it to reduce my +flesh, and I am enjoying myself because I have succeeded. Success is +always enjoyable." + +"Yes, it is;" and Dorothy herself, felt a satisfaction in the thought +that she too was succeeding in her summer's work. + +"My name," went on her visitor, "is Lucille Dillingham. I tramp all day, +and at night I stay at any hotel or farmhouse near which I happen to +find myself. And so I want to stay at this hotel to-night, and if you +will tell me where to find the proprietor, I won't trouble you further." + +"I am the proprietor," said Dorothy, smiling, for she felt quite sure +this statement would surprise Miss Lucille Dillingham. + +"If that's a joke," was the response, "I can't see any particular fun in +it. But no matter, I will inquire at the hotel myself." + +"But truly, Miss Dillingham, I am the proprietor," and Dorothy stood up +and put on the most dignified air of which she was capable. "I am +Dorothy Dorrance, and this hotel is the property of my grandmother; but +I am the acknowledged proprietor, and I shall be very glad to talk to +you as such." + +"You don't mean it, child! well if that is not the greatest I ever heard +of! I am a great believer myself in the capability of women; but for a +girl like you to run a hotel, is one ahead of _my_ experience! Tell me +all about it." + +"There isn't much to tell," said Dorothy, who was not at all pleasantly +impressed by the air and manner of the lady-tramp, and she couldn't help +thinking to herself that the tramp was more in evidence than the lady. +"However," she went on, courteously, "I live here with my grandmother, +and my brother and two sisters. We have entire charge of this hotel, and +we try to manage it in a way to satisfy our guests and ourselves. If +you wish to stay for the night, Miss Dillingham, I am sure we can make +you comfortable." + +Miss Dillingham's eyes sparkled. + +"I will do better than that," she cried; "I will stay all the time, and +I will run the hotel for you. I am a splendid manager, and much better +fitted for that sort of thing than a frivolous young girl like you. Oh, +we'll get along famously!" + +Dorothy began to wonder whether Miss Dillingham might not have escaped +from some lunatic asylum, but she only said, "Thank you very much for +your kind offer, but the hotel is running smoothly, and I really can't +see the necessity for any change in the administration." Just at this +moment Fairy came flying across the lawn, and flinging herself into the +hammock, drew the sides of it together around her athletic little body, +and with a peculiar kicking motion twisted herself and the hammock over +and over in a sort of revolving somersault. Then still holding the sides +she poked up her golden head, crowned with its big white bow, and gazed +at the stranger. + +"You must 'scuse me," she said, "for 'pearing so unsuspectedly. But I +always come that way when I am in a hurry, and I'm always in a hurry." + +"This is my sister Fairy, Miss Dillingham," said Dorothy, and Fairy +bounced out of the hammock, and gracefully offered her hand to the +stranger. + +"How do you do?" she said. "I am very glad to see you, and I hope you +have come to stay, 'cause it's time we had some new boarders. I am +'fraid we are running behind with our 'spenses." + +Dorothy bit her lip to keep from laughing at Fairy's attitude of +proprietorship, and Miss Dillingham stared at the child in blank +amazement. + +"Ah," she said, "is this another proprietor of this very remarkable +hotel?" + +"I'm not purporietor," said Fairy, "my sister is that; and my brother is +clerk. I am just a general helper, and sometimes I help with the babies +and the parrot." + +Miss Dillingham seemed more and more bewildered, but she said, "I think +you're all lunatics, and need somebody to look after you, and straighten +you out. I shall stay here for the night, and look into this thing. It +interests me extremely. Pray have you many boarders, and are they all as +crazy as yourselves?" + +Dorothy resented this question, but she kept her temper under control, +and replied, "We have a number of boarders and we consider them quite +sane, and they seem to think us so. If you wish to stay for the night, I +will take you to the house at once and give you a room." + +Miss Dillingham gave a sort of exasperated sniff, which Dorothy took to +mean acquiescence, and they all started for the house. + +Fairy walked backwards in front of the others, whirling all the way +round, now and then, to make sure her path was clear. + +"Did you really think we were crazy?" she asked, much interested in the +idea. + +"I did," replied Miss Dillingham, "and I am not yet convinced to the +contrary." + +Suddenly Fairy realized that this was another occasion for registration, +and with one of her loudest shrieks at the thought, she darted towards +the house and disappeared through the front door. + +"Leicester!" she cried, and then with a prolonged yell, "Les--ter!" +Leicester appeared by a jump through a window. "What's up?" he said. + +"Oh, Less, there's a new boarder, and she's crazy, and she thinks we +are, and she will want to register. Do get in the coop, quick!" + +Grasping the situation, Leicester flung himself through the wicket door +and behind the office desk. In a jiffy, he had assumed his clerkly air, +and had opened the great register at the proper date. + +When Dorothy appeared, a moment later, with Miss Dillingham, Leicester +offered the pen to the newcomer with such a businesslike air that there +seemed really no further room to doubt the responsibility of the hotel +management. Then he rang a bell, and in a moment Mr. Hickox appeared, +and with the deferential demeanor of a porter picked up Miss +Dillingham's suit-case and stick. + +Then Dorothy escorted the lady-tramp to her room, and returned a few +moments later, to find the other children waiting for an explanation. + +"Where did you catch it?" asked Leicester. + +"What is it?" inquired Lilian. + +"It's only for one night," explained Dorothy, laughing; "but, Less, she +wants to run the hotel! She thinks we aren't responsible!" + +It really seemed inevitable, so Lilian started the Dorrance groan. The +others took it up, with their usual enthusiasm, and though it was of +late a forbidden indulgence, they let themselves go for once, and the +result was an unearthly din that brought grandma to the scene at once. + +"Children!" she exclaimed. "You know you promised not to do that!" + +"I know, grandma," explained Fairy, "but truly, this is a specialty +occasion. You don't know what's happened, and what she wants to do." + +But before Mrs. Dorrance could learn what had happened, the +newly-registered guest herself, came flying down the staircase. + +"What _is_ the matter?" she cried; "is the house on fire? Has anybody +been killed?" + +"We must 'pollergize, Miss Dillingham," spoke up Fairy; "that's our +Dorrance groan, it belongs to the family; we don't use it much up here, +'cause it wakes up the baby and otherwise irritations the boarders." + +"I should think it would," put in Miss Dillingham, with conviction. + +"Yes, it does," went on Fairy, agreeably; "and so you see, we don't 'low +ourselves to 'spress our feelings that way very often. But to-day we had +a purtickular reason for it, and so somehow we found ourselves +a-groaning before we knew it." + +Ignoring Fairy and her voluble explanation, Miss Dillingham turned to +Mrs. Dorrance, and inquired with dignity: "Are you the lady of the +house?" + +"I am the owner of the house," said Grandma Dorrance, with her own +gentle dignity, "and my granddaughter Dorothy is in charge of it. I +must ask you to forgive the disturbance the children just made, and I +think I can safely assure you it will not happen again." + +Grandma Dorrance looked at her grandchildren, with an air of confidence +that was responded to by a look of loving loyalty from each pair of +laughing young eyes. + +"I don't understand it at all," said Miss Dillingham; "but I will now +return to my room, and take a short nap, if the house can be kept quiet. +Then later, I have a proposition which I wish to lay before you, and +which will doubtless prove advantageous to all concerned." + +Miss Dillingham stalked majestically up the stairs again, and the +Dorrances consulted as to what she could mean by her extraordinary +proposition. + +"I know," said Dorothy, "she wants to run the hotel. She informed me +that she was much better qualified for such a business than I am." + +"Oh, ho!" cried Leicester, "she is, is she! Well I like her nerve!" + +"I wish she hadn't come," said Fairy, beginning to cry. "I don't want +her to run this hotel, and Dorothy and all of us only be just boarders." + +"Don't cry, Fairy, whatever you do," exclaimed Leicester. "If you put up +one of your best crying-spells, it will make more noise than the groan +did, and our new friend will come racing down-stairs again." + +This suggestion silenced Fairy, and Leicester went on: "Do you really +mean, Dot, that she proposed seriously to take charge of the Domain?" + +"Yes, she did; and I think she expects to make a business proposition to +that effect." + +"All right, then; let's give her as good as she sends. Let's pretend +that we entertain her proposition, and see what she has to say for +herself." + +"You'd better be careful," said Lilian, the practical, "sometimes people +get caught in their own trap; and if you pretend you're going to let her +have charge of affairs here, first thing you know she'll be at the head +of things, and we will all be nowhere." + +"Huh!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'm not afraid of being dethroned by any +lady-tramp that happens along. Just let her try it!" + +"However she might frighten us singly," said Leicester, "I rather guess +that the Dorrance family as a whole, can stand up for their rights." + +"Don't be foolish, children," said grandma; "Dorothy must have +misunderstood the lady. She couldn't have meant to make such a strange +proposition at a moment's notice." + + * * * * * + +But apparently that is just what Miss Lucille Dillingham did mean. For +that evening, after dinner, she gathered the Dorrance children round her +in one of the small drawing-rooms, and talked to them in a +straightforward if unacceptable way. + +"Now don't say a word," she said, "until I have thoroughly explained my +intention." + +"We won't say a word, Miss Dillingham," said Fairy, "until you say your +speech. But please say it plain, 'cause I'm the littlest one and +sometimes I can't understand big words. 'Course I say big words myself, +sometimes, but I understand my own, only other people's aren't always +tellergibble to me. And so, you see I just have to----" + +"That will do, Fairy," interrupted Leicester; "we've agreed not to do +our talking until Miss Dillingham is through." + +"In a few words, then," began Miss Dillingham, with the air of one who +is satisfied of a foregone conclusion, "I want to say that in the few +hours I have been here I have thoroughly acquainted myself with the +conditions and possibilities of this hotel. And I have discovered that +it is improperly managed by incompetent hands, and that it is, +therefore, a lucky stroke of fortune for you that I happened along just +now. I propose to assume entire charge of the hotel, give it a new name, +establish new methods of management, and control absolutely the receipts +and expenditures." + +If the four Dorrances hadn't been possessed of a strong sense of humor, +they would have been appalled by this extraordinary proposition. As it +was, it struck them all as being very funny, and though with difficulty +restraining a smile, Leicester inquired, with every appearance of +serious interest, "And where do we come in?" + +"You will be merely boarders," announced Miss Dillingham, "and can run +and play as befits children of your ages. It may seem strange to you at +first, that I should make you this generous proposition on so short an +acquaintance, but it is my habit to make quick decisions, and I rarely +regret them." + +"Would you mind telling us your reasons for wanting to do this thing?" +asked Lilian. + +"My reasons are perhaps too subtle for young minds to understand. They +are partly ethical, for I cannot make it seem right that a girl of +sixteen should be so weighted with responsibility; and, too, I am +actuated in part by motives of personal advantage. I may say the project +seems to possess a pecuniary interest for me----" + +"Miss Dillingham," said Fairy fixing her wide-open eyes on the lady's +face, "'scuse me for interrupting, but truly I can't understand all +those words. What does etherkle mean? and what is tercumerary? They are +nice words and I would like to save them to use myself, if I knew a +little bit what they meant." + +"Never mind what they mean, Fairy," said Leicester; "and Miss +Dillingham, it is not necessary for us to consider this matter any +further. You have made your proposition, and I am sure that I speak for +the four of us, when I say that we decline it absolutely and without +further discussion." + +When Leicester chose, he could adopt a tone and manner that seemed far +more like a man, than like a boy of his years; and Miss Dillingham +suddenly realized that she was not dealing with quite such childish +minds as she had supposed. + +"My brother is quite right," said Dorothy, and she, too, put on her most +grown-up manner, which, by the way, was very grown-up indeed. "Although +surprised at what you have said, we understand clearly your offer, and +we respectfully but very positively decline it _in toto_." + +As Dorothy confessed afterwards, she didn't know exactly what _in toto_ +meant, but she felt quite certain it came in appropriately just there. + +Miss Dillingham seemed to think so too, or at any rate she was impressed +by the attitude of the Dorrance young people, and without a further +word, she rose and stalked away and they saw her no more that night. The +next morning she was up early and after a somewhat curt leave-taking, +she tramped away. + +"I think I could have liked her," said Dorothy, thoughtfully, "if she +hadn't tried to steal away from us our Dorrance Domain." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DOROTHY'S REWARD + + +Fairy continued her weekly visits to Mrs. Hickox, but she was positively +forbidden by her hostess ever to bring any one with her. + +Mrs. Hickox was possessed of a peculiar kind of shyness, and she shrank +from meeting people more sophisticated than herself. She had become +devotedly attached to Fairy, and really looked forward eagerly to the +afternoons the child spent with her. She continued to be surprised at +the doings of the Dorrances, but had never been to the Domain since her +first call upon the family. + +"Mr. Hickox tells me you've got a roof-garden," she said to Fairy one +day, as they sat sociably in the milk-room. "Now for the land's sake do +tell me what that is. Is it the thing that runs by electrics?" + +"No," said Fairy, who never laughed at Mrs. Hickox's ignorance; "it's +the _Shooting Star_ that runs by electricity; the roof-garden doesn't +run at all,--it just stays still." + +"Well what is it, anyhow?" + +"Why, the roof-garden is just a garden on the roof." + +"A garden on a roof! well I _am_ surprised! What do you raise in the +garden? peas and beans? It must be an awful trouble to get the dirt up +there, and to get the water up there to water things with. As for +getting the potatoes and pumpkins down, I suppose you can just throw +them down,--though I must say I should think it would spoil the +pumpkins." + +"Oh, we don't raise vegetables in the roof-garden, Mrs. Hickox," said +Fairy, laughing in spite of herself. + +"Well, what _do_ you raise?" + +"Why we don't raise anything; we just stay there." + +"Humph! I can't see any garden about that. But I did want to know what +the thing was like. 'Cause I cut out a clipping yesterday,--Hickory, he +got his shoes home from the cobbler's, and they was wrapped in a piece +of a New York newspaper; my, but I had a good time! I cut so many +clippings out of that newspaper, that what's left would do for a picture +frame. The worst of it was, so many clippings backed up against others, +and they wasn't the same length. People ought to be more careful how +they print their newspapers. Well, as I was saying, I cut out a piece +about a roof-garden, but I guess you're right about their not raisin' +things in it. My land! I couldn't get head or tail to the whole yarn. So +that's why I wanted to ask you just what a roof-garden is. But I ain't +found out much." + +Fairy endeavored to explain further, but Mrs. Hickox's mind seemed +incapable of grasping the real intent of a roof-garden, after all; and +so after intimating her continued surprise, she changed the subject. + +Mrs. Hickox was the only one who could sustain the greater part in a +conversation with Fairy. For some reason the child liked the queer old +lady, and was contented to listen while she talked; though usually +Fairy's own loquacity was not so easily curbed. + +"I told Hickory, long ago, that that biggest sister of yours would set +Lake Ponetcong on fire yet; or he told me, I don't know which, and it +don't make no difference now; but, anyway, I'm free to confess she's +done it. To think of a girl of sixteen takin' a pack of boarders into +that big hotel, and makin' a success of it! It is surprisin'! and she +does everything up so slick, too. Why, Hickory says the meals is always +on time, and the whole place is always as neat and cleared-up lookin' as +my best room." + +"My sister Dorothy _is_ a smart girl," agreed Fairy, who was always +ready to stand up for her family; "Mr. Faulkner says she has great +'zecutive billerty,--and I guess she has." + +"You all have," said Mrs. Hickox, heartily. "You're as queer as Dick's +hatband,--every one of you,--but you're smarter 'n steel-traps. And the +rest of you work just as good as Dorothy does. You ain't none of you +shirks. Of course you have lots of help, but I s'pose you need it. +Hickory, he does a lot of work for you, but, land! he gets paid enough, +so it's all right." + +"Wouldn't you like to come over and see the roof-garden?" asked Fairy, +though without much hope that her invitation would be accepted. + +"No, child, no; I ain't got no use for new-fangled doin's. My +old-fashioned garden is good enough for me. I like to read about things +in newspapers, but I don't hanker none about being mixed up in 'em. Run +along now, here comes Mr. Hickox and he'll be wantin' his supper. Run +along, quick now,--good-bye. Well I _am_ surprised!" + +The last remark was addressed to the approaching Mr. Hickox, but having +been so peremptorily dismissed, Fairy did not turn to see what the new +occasion for Mrs. Hickox's surprise might be. + +The month of August went pleasantly along at the Dorrance Domain. No new +boarders were registered, but all who were there, stayed through the +month, and all except the Blacks stayed into the early September. The +Dorrances had given up all idea of Mr. Lloyd's coming to visit them, as +he had written earlier in the season that he would do. + +But one day a letter came, saying that he would run up for a couple of +days. + +Aside from their appreciation of Mr. Lloyd's kindness in a business way, +the Dorrances all liked that genial gentleman as a friend, and the news +of his visit was gladly received. The Dorrance Domain was put into gala +dress for the occasion, and a special program was arranged for the +evening's entertainment. + +He was taken for a sail in the _Shooting Star_, given a drive behind old +Dobbin, and initiated into the picturesque pleasures of the roof-garden. + +Mr. Lloyd was most appreciative and enthusiastic; and it was fun for the +Dorrances to see his astonishment at the success of their hotel +management. Although Grandma Dorrance had written to him what the +children were doing, in a general way, he had formed no idea of the +magnitude of their enterprise. + +The second day of his stay they held a family conference in one of the +small parlors. He had told Grandma Dorrance that he wished for a +business talk with her alone, but she had said that the children were +quite as capable of understanding their financial situation as she +herself, if not more so; and that, after their interest and assistance +through the summer, they were entitled to a hearing of whatever Mr. +Lloyd might have to say. + +So the family conclave was called, and Mr. Lloyd took the occasion to +express his hearty appreciation of what they had done. + +"You seem to have the Dorrance grit," he said; "your Grandfather +Dorrance would have been proud of his grandchildren, could he have known +what they would accomplish. He little thought when he bought this hotel +property that his family would ever live here,--let alone running it as +a hotel." + +"It seems so strange," said Dorothy, "to think that this old Domain that +we've made fun of for so many years, and never thought was good for +anything, should have helped us through this summer." + +"I hope, my dear," said Mr. Lloyd, "that you have been careful and +prudent about your expenditures. For sometimes, these exciting +enterprises look very fine and desirable, but are exceedingly costly in +the end." + +Mr. Lloyd was a kind friend, and felt great interest in the Dorrance +fortunes; but his cautious, legal mind, could not avoid a careful +consideration of the exact state of their finances. + +"We have kept our accounts very strictly, sir," said Dorothy, "and we +find that the Dorrance Domain has entirely supported our family for the +summer,--I mean that we are in debt to nobody as a consequence of having +spent our summer here." + +"That is fine, my dear child, that is fine," said Mr. Lloyd, rubbing his +hands together, as he always did when pleased; "I must congratulate you +on that result." + +"And we've had such fun, too," exclaimed Fairy, whose big white bow and +smiling face suddenly appeared over the back of the sofa which she was +clambering up. "I do some of the work, but I don't mind it a bit, and we +all of us get plenty of time to play, and go sailing, and fishing and +everything." As Fairy continued talking she kept rapidly scrambling over +the sofa, down to the floor, under the sofa, and up its back, and over +it again, repeatedly. This in no way interfered with her flow of +conversation, and she went on: "We can make all the racket we like, +too,--nobody minds a speck,--not even Miss Marcia Van Arsdale. She says +it's nothing but animal spiritualism." + +"It has been one of the greatest comforts," said Grandma Dorrance, "to +think that the children _could_ make all the noise they wanted to; for I +suffered tortures at Mrs. Cooper's, trying to keep them quiet. Here, +they are free to do as they choose, and there is room enough to do as +they choose, without annoying other people. I think myself, that they +deserve great commendation for their work this summer. It has not been +easy; but fortunately, they are blessed with temperaments that take +troubles lightly, and make play out of hard work. But I want you to tell +us, Mr. Lloyd, just how we stand financially. The children are anxious +to know, and so am I. They insist that hereafter they shall share my +anxieties and responsibilities, and I am more than glad to have them do +so." + +"I am gratified, Mrs. Dorrance, and my dear young people, to be able to +tell you,"--here Mr. Lloyd paused impressively,--"to be able to tell you +that the outlook is highly satisfactory. Since you have not called upon +me for any of your money during the summer months, I have been able to +apply it towards the repairs that were so necessary on the Fifty-eighth +Street house. Except for a few small bills, that indebtedness is thus +provided for. Your next quarter's allowance is, therefore, +unencumbered." + +"I think," said Dorothy, her eyes shining in the excitement of the +moment, "that this is a good time to present our statement of accounts. +We've been keeping it as a little surprise for grandma, and we want Mr. +Lloyd to know about it too. I wanted Leicester to tell you, and he said +for me to tell you; but we all had just as much to do with it as each +other, so we're all going to tell you together. Come on, all of you." + +The other three Dorrances sprang towards Dorothy in their usual +hop-skip-and-jump fashion, and in a moment they stood in a straight +line, toeing a mark. + +They took hold of hands, and swinging their arms back and forth, recited +a speech which had evidently been rehearsed before-hand. + +"We've paid all expenses," they said, speaking in concert, but not as +loudly as usual, "and besides that, we've cleared three hundred +dollars!" + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Lloyd, holding up his hands in astonishment. + +"Oh, my dear children!" cried Grandma Dorrance, uncertain whether she +should laugh or weep. + +"Yes, isn't it perfectly wonderful?" cried Dorothy, and the concerted +speech being over, the four children precipitated themselves headlong in +every direction. + +"We wanted to holler it all out," explained Fairy; "but we were afraid +the boarder-people would hear us, and they mightn't think it polite." + +"It's all right," said Lilian, stoutly; "we didn't overcharge anybody, +and we didn't scrimp them. The reason we made money was because we did +so much of the work ourselves, and because Dorothy is such a good +manager." + +"Hurrah for Dorothy," shrieked Leicester, in a perfect imitation of Miss +Marcia's parrot. + +The cheer that went up for Dorothy was deafening, but nobody minded, for +everybody was so happy. + +"I couldn't have done anything without the others' help," protested +Dorothy; "and of course we couldn't any of us have carried out this plan +at all, without grandma. So you see it took the whole five of us to make +a success of the Dorrance Domain." + +"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain," shouted Fairy, and then every one in +the room, not excepting Grandma Dorrance and Mr. Lloyd, cheered from +their very hearts, + +"Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain!" + + * * * * * + +The Carolyn Wells Books for Girls + + +THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS + + Patty Fairfield + Patty at Home + Patty in the City + Patty's Summer Days + Patty in Paris + Patty's Friend + Patty's Pleasure Trip + Patty's Success + Patty's Motor Car + Patty's Butterfly Days + Patty's Social Season + Patty's Suitors + Patty's Romance + Patty's Fortune + Patty Blossom + Patty--Bride + Patty and Azalea + + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + + Marjorie's Vacation + Marjorie's Busy Days + Marjorie's New Friend + Marjorie in Command + Marjorie's Maytime + Marjorie at Seacote + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + + Two Little Women + Two Little Women and Treasure House + Two Little Women on a Holiday + + * * * * * + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + +Author of "The Don Sturdy Series." + + +Tom Swift, known to millions of boys of this generation, is a bright +ingenious youth whose inventions, discoveries and thrilling adventures +are described in these spirited tales that tell of the wonderful +advances in modern science. + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS + TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES + TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG DIRIGIBLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY TRAIN + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT MAGNET + TOM SWIFT AND HIS TELEVISION DETECTOR + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dorrance Domain, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DORRANCE DOMAIN *** + +***** This file should be named 39081.txt or 39081.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/0/8/39081/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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