"I should think you'd be almost afraid to keep so much ready money by
you, with all those men workin' outside," she commented.
"They're all Brookville men," said Lydia. "I have to have money to
pay them with. Besides, I have Martha."
"You mean your hired girl, I suppose," inferred Miss Daggett, rubbing
her nose thoughtfully.
"She isn't exactly--a servant," hesitated Lydia. "We give the men
their noon meal," she added. "Martha helps me with that."
"You give them their dinner! Well, I never! Did you hear that, Abby?
She gives them their dinner. Didn't you know men-folks generally
bring their noonings in a pail? Land! I don't know how you get hearty
victuals enough for all those men. Where do they eat?"
"In the new barn," said Lydia, smiling. "We have a cook stove out
there."
"Ain't that just lovely!" beamed Mrs. Daggett, squeezing the girl's
slim hand in both her own. "Most folks wouldn't go to the trouble of
doing anything so nice. No wonder they're hustling."
"Mebbe they won't hustle so fast toward the end of the job," said
Lois Daggett. "You'll find men-folks are always ready to take
advantage of any kind of foolishness. Come, Abby; we must be going.
You'll get those books in about two weeks, Miss Orr. A big order
takes more time, I always tell people."
"Thank you, Miss Daggett. But wouldn't you--if you are in a hurry,
you know; Mr. Dodge is going to the village in the automobile; we're
expecting some supplies for the house.
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