Austin and Amy went to work and put things in order so that they could cook supper and all lay their weary bodies down to rest. They were young, and soon their trials were forgotten in a sweet, refreshing sleep. Nell had regained her composure enough to help them the next morning, though she was yet very quiet when Austin went off to his work.
When Austin came home that evening, he found his sunny Nell of old at work in the rooms. She was improvising a curtain of some kind, and as he came in she was standing off to study the effect. She had managed to make the room look pretty. Amy acknowledged that she herself had thought the case hopeless all the time, and had made up her mind not to expect any beauty, but that Nell had transformed things. “Nell, you are a treasure. I am surprized that you could bring such order and beauty out of the chaos I left this morning,” said Austin in his heartiest tones. And the words of cheer and praise brought a happy shine to the little girl’s eyes, while her heart beat in happy contentment.
The three of them were soon living in peace and contentment in their own little home, making ready as fast as they could for the coming of the others. It was necessary that Austin get a better start with his wages before the family increase very much.
They talked and planned for the future. This was not to be at all permanent; just as soon as one month’s wages were in hand a house should be rented, and they would furnish it as they could. As soon as they had enough together to care for the children, Lila and Doyle should be brought to them. And until the time when they could afford better, they all covenanted together to live as economically as possible. And as soon as the house was in proper condition for living, the two girls started to school.
“How would my birds like to find a new nest?” asked Austin one morning not long after he had received his first month’s pay. “We shall be only too glad to get out of this little place into a whole house,” answered both the girls at once. “May we hunt one to suit ourselves?”
“You may, only remembering that we dare not go very high in rent, for the house has to be furnished also, and we have our winter clothes to buy,” cautioned Austin. A house was found on a shady street, and was engaged at once. Before the week was out they were safely settled in their new quarters, and with a few more articles of furniture than had been possible at first. Mrs. Bailey had given them a few things to add to the homelikeness of their living-rooms, and they were quite comfortably settled, and getting along as happily as could be asked for. “I am going to quit school and get me a job,” announced Amy with decision one morning before cold weather had set in. “Winter is coming and I have nothing decent to wear. I am ashamed to go out, and I am tired of the sneers of the girls at school.”