She could hear Helen splashing away, evidently enjoying her morning shower as she was singing with many trills and folderols, trying seemingly to hear herself above the noise of the running water.
"Poor Helen!" thought Douglas. "It is harder, somehow, for her than any of us. Lucy is young enough to learn the new trick of being poor very easily, and Nan is such a philosopher; and dear little Bobby won't see the difference just so he can have plenty of mud to play in; and I--oh, well--I have got so much to do I can't think about myself--I must get up and do it, too. Here I am selfishly lying in bed when I know Nan and Lucy want to hear the news from Father just as much as I did." So, slipping on a kimono, she ran into the room across the hall, shared by the two younger girls.
They were up and almost dressed. "Lucy and I thought maybe we could help, so we hurried. I know you've lots to do," said Nan.
"That was dear of you both. Of course we won't have so much to do right now, as we have to wait for Dr. Wright to come home; and then if we can rent the house furnished, we must get everything in order. But first listen to the good news!" and she read the telegram.
"Isn't that splendid and wasn't it kind of Dr. Wright to send it to you?"
"I think so. If only Helen would not feel so unkindly to him! She utterly refuses to like him," and Douglas sighed.
"I don't intend to like him either, then!" exclaimed Lucy. "He shan't boss me if he isn't going to boss Helen."
"How absurd you are," laughed Nan. "You are so afraid that Helen will get something you don't have that you won't even let her have a private little dislike without wanting to have some, too. I bet if Helen got the smallpox you would think yourself abused if you didn't get it, too."
"And in your heart of hearts you know you do like him," said Douglas with a severity that she felt such silliness warranted.
"Well, if I do--and--and--maybe I do, I'm not going to take anything off of him that Helen won't."
"Well, I reckon Dr. Wright will be glad to wash his hands of us, anyhow," said Nan. "I can't see that it would be any sweet boon to look after you and Helen or any of us, for that matter."
"I should think not," laughed Douglas; "but you see his having power of attorney from Father makes it necessary for us to consult with him about some things, selling the automobile, for instance, and renting the house."