CHAPTER XXI
Constance B.'s Candies
"Now, Miss Carruth, tell me the prices quoted for the boxes, and howmany you had thought of ordering," said Mr. Porter, in the voice soencouraging when used by older people to younger.
"Well, if I order _any_ I suppose I ought to order a hundred," beganConstance.
"One hundred!" echoed Mr. Porter. "Why, little girl, that would not bea flea-bite. You ought to order five hundred at least."
"_Five hundred!_" cried Constance, in dismay. "Why, Mr. Porter, I'mafraid I've hardly enough money to order one hundred at the rate theycharge," and she named the sums asked by the firms to which she hadwritten.
"Bosh! Nonsense! That's downright robbery. You let _me_ write to afirm _I_ know of and we'll see what we'll see. And now I'm going totake some stock in this company right off. I'm going to invest onehundred dollars in it to be used as a working capital--there--don't saya word of protest," as Constance voiced an exclamation. "_I_ know whatI'm up to, and--I love sweets. If you can't pay back in any other wayyou can keep me supplied for a year. Just now you've got to start outin good shape, and there is no use doing things half way. But youhaven't asked me what I'm going to charge you for your booth?"concluded Mr. Porter, with a merry twinkle in his blue eyes.
"Why I forgot all about the price," said Constance in confusion. "Oh,dear, how stupid I am."
"Well, since it is a space we never thought to rent anyway, andcouldn't use for anything else if we wished to, suppose we say fivedollars a month? I think those are pretty good returns for a cubby. IfI do as well in proportion with all the other offices I'll make theowners rich."
"I'm afraid it is _very_ low. I think you are only letting me have itso cheap just because you liked father. Don't you think I ought reallyto pay more? I didn't think I could get _any_ sort of a place for_less_ than ten dollars a month," was Constance's most unbusinesslikespeech.
Mr. Porter looked at the earnest face regarding him so frankly andconfidingly, and a very suspicious moisture came into his eyes. Risingfrom his chair he laid his hand kindly upon her shoulder as she aroseand stood before him, and said very gently:
"Don't worry yourself on _that_ score, little girl, and--don't mind itif I _do_ call you little girl; you seem that to me spite of yourbusiness aspirations. I am asking you a fair price because I know youwould rather feel that you are _paying_ a fair price for what you get,and would prefer beginning your business venture on such a basis. I amalso advancing this sum of money because I am confident you willsucceed. It is purely a business speculation. I would do it for yourfather's sake, but I know you would rather I did it upon strictlybusiness principles. I can not lose my money in any case, because if Ido not get the actual cash, I know I shall get my sweets--a wholehundred dollars' worth. It fairly makes my mouth water to think ofthem, and my girls will go wild when I tell them. Keep up a braveheart, and, above all, keep that pretty modesty you have, for it willcarry you farther than any amount of audacity. It is your best armor.There is nothing a man respects more than a brave and modest woman, mydear. Nothing in this world. Now, little woman, go home and think upthe style and sizes of the boxes you will need and let me know atonce. 'Phone me early Monday morning. Design something yourself if youcan; it will take quicker. Next week I'll have your stall put intoshape and you can make your candies and stock up as soon as your boxescome. _Then_ we will soon learn whether your faith in yourfellow-beings is justified or misplaced. I believe you will find itjustified; upon my soul I do; though I have never before seen such ascheme put to the test. Now good-bye; good-bye, and God bless you,"ended Mr. Porter, warmly shaking the small gloved hand.
"Good-bye, Mr. Porter, and, oh, thank you _so_ much for your kindinterest. I feel so brave and encouraged to begin now," criedConstance, her eyes confirming her words, and her cheeks glowing.
Mr. Porter accompanied her to the elevator, and with another heartyfarewell, sped her upon her way brimful of enthusiasm, and more thanever resolved to carry into effect the scheme which had entered herhead many weeks before, and which was now taking definite form andshape.
The trolley car seemed fairly to crawl along, so did her desire toreach home and tell of the afternoon's undertaking outstrip itsprogress. It was quite dark when she alighted and climbed the hill ather home, thinking, as she ascended the steps, how sweet and cheerfulthe little home looked, for her mother, in spite of the warningsvolunteered by some of her friends that some day she would be robbedas the outcome of letting all the world look in upon her, would neverhave the shades drawn. Mrs. Carruth always replied:
"For the sake of those to whom a glimpse of our cheery hearth givespleasure, and there are more than you guess, as I have learned to myown surprise, I shall take my chances with the possible unscrupulousones."
And so the window shades remained raised after the lamps were lighted,and many a passer-by was cheered along his way by a peep at the sweet,home-like picture of a gentle-faced woman, and three bright-facedgirls, gathered around the blazing hearth, and reading or sewing inthe soft lamp-light.
"Dear little Mumsey," said Constance, softly, as she paused a momentbefore crossing the piazza. "Your girlie is going to help you keepjust such a sweet home forever and ever, and ever." Then giving thewhistling bird-call by which the members of the family signaled toeach other, she went close to the window and looked smilingly in.
Up bounced Jean to fly to the door; Eleanor raised her head from thebook over which she was, as usual, bent, and nodded; Mrs. Carruthwaved her hand and wafted a kiss.
"Oh, come in quick, and tell us where you have been, and what you havedone," cried Jean, opening the door with a whirl.
"Hello, baby! Give me a big hug first," cried Constance, and Jeanbounded into her arms. Mrs. Carruth had crossed the room to welcomethe tardy one, and as soon as she was released from Jean's tempestuousembrace, took the glowing face in both her hands gently to kiss thecheeks as she said:
"What a bonny, bonny glow the cheeks wear, sweetheart. Something verylovely must have happened."
"Oh, mother, I've had such a perfectly splendid afternoon and feel sobrave and proud about it all. Let me get my things off and I'll tellyou all about it. But is supper almost ready? I'm half-starved?Excitement sharpens one's appetite doesn't it? Heigh-ho. Nornie. Whatnews of the ponies? If you're to be a coach-woman you've got to havesome sort of an equine creature to hustle along, haven't you? Did youhave time to go and see the prospective ones this afternoon? And oh,_how_ did the auction turn out, mother? Gracious, what stirring peoplethe Carruths are getting to be compared with the common-place,slow-going ones they were."
"Jean, dear, run out and tell Mammy that Constance is home, and wewill have supper at once. You can tell us all the news at the table,dear."
Jean flew for Mammy's quarters, quite as eager as Constance to havethe supper served.
"Mammy! Mammy! Connie's got back, and she's starved _dead_! Mothersays have supper right off quick," burst out Jean, as she whiskedthrough the butler's pantry.
"Jes so. Whar dat chile been? Go 'long back an' tell 'em de supper'ready an' a waitin', as de hyme book say, an' I got sumpin' dat datchile pintedly love."
"What is it, Mammy? What is it?" cried Jean, eagerly, as she ran overto inspect the dishes upon the range.
"Get out! Clear 'long! Yo' keep yo' little nose outen my dishes!"cried Mammy, with assumed wrath, as she pounced upon littleMiss Inquisitive. "Yo' go right 'long an' tell her I'se gotlay-over-catch-meddlers in hyer an' lessen yo' take keer you'll turninter one."
"Fiddlestick!" retorted Jean, as she flew back.
A few moments later the family had gathered about the delightfulsupper table and Constance was relating the experiences of theafternoon, while first one and then another exclaimed over herventure, Mammy crying as she urged her to take another of the daintywaffles she had made especially for her. "Honey, what I tol' yo'? Ain'I perdic' dat yo' boun' ter hit de tack spang on de right en'? I saydat dem pralines and fudges de banginest candies
I ever _is_ see, an'de folks what done buy 'em--huh! My lan' dey fair brek dey necksfallin' ober one an'ner ter git _at_ 'em de minit I sot myse'f on datar camp stool. An' now yo' gwine open a boof an' 'splay 'em fer sale?But yo' aint gwine stan' behin' de counter is yo'? Yo' better _not_set out ter do no sich t'ing as _dat_, chile, whilst _I'se yo'_ Mammy.No-siree! I ain' gwine stan' fer no sich gwines-on as dat--in aBlairsdale. Yo' kin hab yo' cubby, as yo' calls hit, an' take yo'chances wedder yo' gits cheated or wedder yo' meets up with hones'folks, but yo' cyant go behin' no counter, an' dats flat. When yo'gwine begin makin' all dat mess o' candy?"
"Just as soon as I have some boxes to sell it in, Mammy, and those Imust design. At least must suggest something pretty for the covers."
"Have a picture of Baltie on the cover, Connie. He was the first oneto take your candies to South Riveredge," cried Jean, with thoughtsever for the faithful old silent partner.
"No, Baltie belongs to you and Mammy. By-the-way, how did you get onat the school to-day? You haven't told me yet."
"Just _splendiferous_! The boys bought every bit I took; I mean everybit that was _left_ after Professor Forbes got all _he_ wanted. He wasat the gate when I drove up, and what do you think he did? Made mestop until he had bought six packages of fudge and six packages ofpralines, and then made me promise always to save them for him. Mygoodness if that man doesn't have _one_ stomachache," ended this sageyoung lady speaking from bitter experiences of her own.
"Jean!" cried Eleanor.
"Well, it's true. Twelve whole packages of candy all for _himself_,greedy old thing! And he asked me if I couldn't come _twice_ a week. Itold him I guessed not, and if he wanted it oftener than once a weekhe'd have to come after it. And he said that was precisely what he_would_ do, and to ask my sister to please to have twelve packages forhim on Wednesday afternoon. _That_ man's teeth will need a dentistjust you see if they don't," ended Jean with an ominous wag of thehead for the sweet-toothed professor, while the rest of the familyshrieked with laughter.
"What do _you_ suggest for my boxes, mother?" asked Constance, whenthe laugh had subsided.
"How about little white moire paper boxes with some pretty flower onthe cover?"
"Pretty, but not very distinctive I'm afraid," said Constance,doubtfully.
"How about those pretty Japanese boxes they have at Bailey's?"ventured Eleanor.
"Still less distinctive. No; I must have some design that suggests_me_. Don't think me conceited, but I want people to know that thecandy is made and sold by a school-girl, who cannot be there to lookafter her counter, and must trust to their honesty. I've got an ideaabout my _sign_, but, somehow, I don't seem to be able to get one thatis worth a straw for the boxes, yet I've been thinking as hard as Icould think."
"Wait a minit, Baby," said Mammy, and hurried from the room. She cameback in about ten minutes holding a small box in her hand. Placing itupon the table before Constance, she said: "Now, Honey, mebbe dis yereidee ob mine ain' nothin' in de worl' but foolishness, but seems terme ef yo' want distincshumness you's got hit _dar_. I ain' half lakter let yo' _do_ hit, but dey's _yo'_ candies, so I spec' yo' might aswell let folks unnerstan' hit."
The box was one which Jean had given Mammy the previous Christmas. Itwas made of white moire paper with a small medallion in gilt in theleft-hand upper corner, the medallion being in the shape of a littlegold frame formed of gold beads. Originally there had been a coloredpicture of Santa Claus's face within it, but over this Mammy hadcarefully pasted a small photo of Constance; one taken several yearsbefore. In the center of the box was written in gold script "MerryChristmas," and just beneath that the word "bonbons."
"Couldn't you have yo' name whar de Merry Christmas stan' at an''candies' whar de bong bongs is?" asked Mammy.
"Mammy, you old dear!" cried Constance, springing to her feet to throwher arms about the wise old creature. "You've hit it exactly. Why Icouldn't have anything better if I thought for a whole year. I'll havesome pictures taken right off and the boxes shall be just exactly likethis. Hurrah for 'Constance B.'s Candies!' Come on Mammy, we've got tocelebrate the brilliant idea!" and catching the astonished old womanby the arms, Constance whirled her off on a lively two-step, whistlingthe accompaniment, while Mammy cried:
"Gawd bress my soul, is yo' gone stark crazy, chile!" and at lengthbroke away to vanish protesting within the privacy of her kitchen.
Three Little Women: A Story for Girls Page 21