The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-11-23
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BEGIN HERE TODAY
JOHN w. BROOKE. yyiaayyer
md head OF "a large hardware
concern, is leaving the city for
two months. He makes arrange
ments for an efficiency engineer
TO take charge Of his home dur
Ing his absence. But ne falls
to inform his three grown chill
drcn, Constance. Billy md Alice,
about the neyv arrangement.
III. HEDGE, assigned to the
Job, takes charge of the exas-
perated Brooke household. Eic
occupies the owners private
quarters and turns the library
into an Office. The "chllGren''
have informed Hedge that today
otherwise. He offers so per cent
Of the amount they have been
getting to be paid eDch morning
instead Of a month In advance.
Billy and his sisters have been
talking 1t over In n private cor
ner OF the utusic-roOm.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CONSTANCE was canny as well
~ as cautious She knew the fail
ings of the Brookes. even her
own
Il guess it'll have to be by the
day" admitted Alice Because I
need my little s1.66 tomorrow to go
to a matinee
Constance looked at her brother
"Oh. any way you say" he grum-
bled.
ITS settled, then We all get
our checks tomorrow morning"
at seems to me you're giving In
on every blooming thing" com.
planned Billy. with an ungrateful
scowl at his sister.
Constance smiled wisely.
Listen, my children" she said
This person has cut our allowances
in half Very well. But he hasn't
cut our charge accounts. has he? We
can run up bills. can't we? We don't
have to say anything about that. do
we? For one. I resolve to spend
three times as much as ever did be.
fore!'
And t. cricd Alice. You're a
wonder, Connie"
Billy was grudging of enthusiasm.
Being a man. the pastimc of charg
ing things did not compare with the
sensation of having the money in
his pocket.
Now, not a word about charge
accounts" cautioned Constance;
Not a word" echoed Alice.
The efficiency man greeted the re-
turning conferees with friendly
smile and nod. They ranged before
him, Constance in the center
I'VE accept the half rate" she said
coldly, mot because it is fair or even
ourselves. And"l-sh choked for an
instant-"we have decided to take it
by the day"
Excellent" said Hedge. Good
business. Thank you. Miss Brooke"
Il do not care to be thanked. if
you please"
Very we'll Withdrawn
Constance shot him fierce glance.
but checked retort. There was still
an item of business.
Our money was due today" she
explained. but we are not to be paid
until tomorrow morning. l under.
stand There will then be two days
due Billy and myself will be en-
titled to a check for $6.66 each. in.
stead of 1888. while Alice will get
1888 instead of s1.66. m Is that
agreed?" a. o"
quite correct" nodded Hedge. as
he made a memorandum.
Alice and Billy sighed softly and
looked in admiration at their sister
Neither had thought of that. Connie
had saved them a days pay,
AS the three Brookes retired once
moro from the scene. there was
something like approval in the eyes
OF the efficiency man. as their glance
followed the central figure in the
group He admired good business.
Matilda Araminta Jones was per.
son with an obscssion. The obses.
sion was Constance Brooke. Matilda
came from New England, which sig.