Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-27
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for drive"
Correct" said the small person.
Hop in" The doctor hoped.
Now" Hephzibah announced. as
they swung out into the street. II am
going to say things to you. and you
must not talk back"
All right" he agreed. "Only just
wait until I've made few calls in
town first. I'm going out to the Hol-
low then, and you'll have plenty Of
time for your monologuc."
Fire away he invited, an hour Ia
ter, turning the horses head down the
river road. "Whew, but it's hot" He
took his hat off and put it in her lap.
Your hair is lots whittier than it
was d year ago" Hephzibah remarked.
well, I'm a year older than I was q
year ago." he explained. Did you ask
Inc to come driving with YOU to make
remarks about my personal appear
ance, Miss Drew"
Dad" she asked, irrelevantly. why
did you mortgage the house,"
Doctor Drew Jumped. How did you
know that?" he demanded. II didn't
even tell your mother what paper she
was signing
"Oh, a little Bird" Hcphzibah teased.
But why did you do it, dad""
Had to, chicken. It's been costing
a good deal to keep Virginia in New
York and Polly in college. Then there
was Kathcrinc's wedding last year. But
don't you worry, little one. Virginia is
helping herself now, and Polly has
only ona more year. She's possessed to
teach as soon as she's finished college.
YOU know. That mortgage will soon be
disappearing like dew in the sunshine.
And if anything should-My life-insur-
ance is pretty big; it would keep you
all going
A sob caught at Hcphzibah's throat.
but she loosened its clutch with a
laugh.
'As if n life-insurance could make
UP for YOU she cried. You can't love
life assurances. or bother them. or take
them driving. A lifcinsurance couldn't
make all your sick people well. Now
look here, Doctor Drew, and this Is
what ] came driving to say, I'm not
going to college, and / am going to stay
at home and keep that life-insurance
from the door"
But" he began.
You're talking back" she reproved
him. Listen to me If / wanted to go
away to School It would be Inherent.
But 1 doh't. 1 hate the very sight of a
textbook. I've grubbed at the trcsome
things Cor years, and even bOokworm
turns. dad"
But" the doctor tried again.
I'm talling." said Hephzibah. Sc
verely. IF | had a talent l should want
to cultivate it, 1 suppose. But ] can't
play. l cant draw, l can't teach. l
don't even seem to have a talent for
being finished like Katherine
But =" her father interposed, still
hopeful
Dad" she coaxed. "has every wo-
man got to study Can't some of us
just stay home and be comfortable and
happy" Three brilliant daughters ought
to be enough for any man"
But q cultivated woman Doctor
Drew had reached the last ditch
I'll have my diploma framed for you
to look at when you feel an attack like
that coming on" HephZbah promised.
How long since you took a vacation,
dad?"
"Iou vcer like a weathercock." he
lodged.
"How long" she persisted
I've forgotten" he replied
because you've never had one to re-
member" Hcphzibah explained ANY
way, not since ! came to live at your
house. Now I'll tell you. we'll Just stay
at home two rr three years, until the
old mortgage is paid. and we're rolling
in wealth, and then well take the mon
cy it would have cost to send me TO
college aud go to Europe with It. you
and mother and 1. Travel Is as culti-
waiting as colleges. Say yes. dad.
please"
He turned to her, his face glowing
like boys Have it your own way"
he said. Here's my farmhouse. I may
be gone half an hour Better run
around i bit; it will rest you. I'll tie
Molly"
When he came back he found the
carriage filed with daisies. do you
expect me to ride the horse?" he asked.
Hephzibah stopped and lifted her
flowers
"Ile shall tuck his toesies under my po-
sizes, so he shall" she said. There! Now
III tell you the rest of my plan"
Great Scott, serial story Doctor
Drew gasped.
Yes, ana TINS number begins with
confession. Hold tight. or you'll fall out.
| would rather study cook book than
than anything, and I'm
Unnatural chiId"' he groaned. you'll
bring my gray hairs
And I'm going to learn to cook" she
went on. aunt Nellie Is going to teach
me. when ! broke It to her she said,
Laws. chile / amt going to have you
messin' roun' my kitchen. Clare Out.'
But told her she Just must. Nobody
could cook as she did, and she might get
married any day, and then what would
We do?"
Aunt Nellie married. Doctor Drew
roared. shes the ugliest old-Oh, help"
she going to teach me to do the
marketing, too" HephZibah continued,
ard I'm going to plan all the meals
Aunt Mcles a perfect cook. but she does
Mt understand food values. She gives us
peas and beans at the same meal, and
rice and macaroni."
Food values!' her father murinured
And Miss Lang is going to teach me to
mend as nicely as she does. Then she
needn't come any more. That will save a
dollar and half every week She won't
miss the money, for several people are
trying to get her And 1 just love to
sew"
Anything else?"
Only this. Annie's to be married in