"Oh, if only it is! How I wish it! I'll be willing to work hard if only I can help you and Dad, and get a good education at the same time."
"The future can always be bright with our hopes and plans for success," replied the mother as she clasped Shirley's hand understandingly.
"Thump, thump, thump!" a thunderous rap at the door of Shirley's shop brought the four girls on the run from the back room, where they had been doing the last of the window cleaning.
"It's Bob and Phil! Good for them!" shouted Bet. "Let them in, you're nearest, Kit!"
The two boys entered the doorway in a very supplicating manner, their hats held humbly in their hands.
"We want work, ladies! Can we get something to eat?" begged Bob without a smile.
"You _would_, Bob Evans! Thinking of food the first thing!" scolded Joy.
"Been out of a job for two months," added Phil.
"Then I suppose you want something to eat, too?"
"Yes ma'am, I'd like nothing better than a handout."
"You'll earn it first, you lazy things," exclaimed Kit.
"Always taking the joy out of life, isn't she?" Bob pretended to be sad.
"Now what do you boys want to do?" Bet was in her snappiest form, business-like and full of energy. "You can paint that strip around the wall where we've marked it, or you can paint the window, or you can paint chairs or tables. Now just take your choice of work, I don't care what you do, as long as you paint."
"But I wanted to do basketry or clay figures," teased Bob. "Didn't you, Phil?"
"No indeed. I wanted to paint. I'm a noble soul. I'm just dying to paint, in fact I _must_ paint!"
"Then get to work!" cried Kit. "And don't waste so much time! This is our busy day. No parking here!"
"Slave drivers! No hand-out, and not a minute to collect our thoughts!"
"You don't need to worry, Bob, it won't take you that long to collect your thoughts! One second will be enough," retorted Joy.
"And we don't get anything to eat?" asked Phil.
But while the merry nonsense went on the two boys were preparing the paint and getting ready to work. Phil took a step ladder and began on the outside of the store, painting the frame of the window in bright orange.
"There now that stands out, all right," he exclaimed as he finished the job. "You can see that a mile off."