"I hope we can get the daily paper," she moaned feebly. "I hate to go too far from the daily paper."
"We'll get it if I have to build a flying machine and fly to Richmond for it," declared Lewis.
"The place is not half a mile from the post office," said Helen. "At least, that is the way it looks from the train. When can we get started? I don't think it is worth while to go back to school any more. We can all of us just stop."
"Oh, Helen, of course we can't! Douglas is going to graduate, and Lucy and I have our exams next week. What would Father say at our giving up right now? You can quiturate all you've a mind to, but I intend to go on and graduate and go to college like Douglas," said Nan.
"I am afraid I'll have to give up college, but I am going to take my Bryn Mawr examinations just the same because I want Father to know I can stand them." Douglas hoped sincerely that the tear she felt gathering would evaporate before it dropped.
"Give up college! Why, Douglas Carter, I don't see what you mean. You have been full of it all winter," exclaimed Helen.
"But Helen, you know perfectly well there is no more money."
"There is one thing that I have forgotten, too, and I feel awfully bad about it after all his kindness," said Douglas. "That is, we must make no decided plans until we consult Dr. Wright."
"Consult Dr. Wright, indeed! I'd like to know what's it to him," said Helen wrathfully. "Can't we even go on a summer trip without asking his permission?"
"Well, I think inasmuch as he has power of attorney and we can't do anything without money that we shall have to consult him. He'll be home to-morrow night and we can ask him immediately. I am pretty sure he will think it a good thing, though."
"Maybe, but for goodness' sake, don't tell him it was my idea originally, as he hates me as much as I hate him, and if _he_ had thought of it, I just know I'd never have consented or thought it a good plan."
"Well, I know one thing," said Miss Somerville, "I am dead tired and this child here is asleep. We had better go to bed and get all the rest we can if we are going to camp out for the summer."
How different the night was from what the Carters had looked forward to! Sleepless misery was what they had been sure would be their lot, and instead, they went to their beds with their heads full of their week-end boarding camp. Father was to get well on his voyage and come back to join them in Albemarle. Instead of finding debts piled on debts, their camp was to pay and he was to find his girls actually making a living.