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.
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