CHAPTER XXII
First Steps
During the ensuing week it would have been hard to find a busierhousehold than the Carruths'. Instead of telephoning to Mr. Porter onMonday morning, as he had suggested, Constance wrote a long letterSaturday evening, giving accurate directions for the boxes, andenclosing a paper design to be sent to the manufacturers.
The letter reached him by the early mail, causing him to exclaim:"George, what a level little head she _has_ got! She shall have thoseboxes before next Saturday, if I have to go after them myself. Why theidea is simply great!"
Going to his 'phone he called up Mrs. Carruth's home. Constance hadalready gone to school, but Mrs. Carruth answered the 'phone. She wasquite as delighted as Constance would have been, and promised todeliver the message to her upon her return. When she heard itConstance's cheeks glowed.
"Isn't he a _dear_, mother, to take so much trouble for me? And now Imust get _busy, busy, busy_. I've pounds and pounds of candy to makebetween this and Saturday, and I must make it afternoons."
"I can not bear to think of you doing this, dear," said Mrs. Carruth,laying her hand tenderly upon the soft brown hair.
"Why not, I'd like to know?" cried Constance.
"Because it takes the time you should spend in outdoor exercise. Youwork hard in school, and that has always seemed to me to be quiteenough for any girl to undertake. Yet here you and Eleanor are aboutto give up your afternoons for this work and the coaching."
Mrs. Carruth sighed, for it was hard for her to adjust herself to thenew order of things in her family. Raised upon a large plantation,where she, the only daughter, was her father's idol, for whomeverything must be done, and whose every wish must be considered, sheshrank from the thought of her girls laboring for their daily bread,or stepping out into the world beyond their own thresholds. Her fatherwould have felt that the world was about to cease revolving had _she_been obliged to take such a step. Indeed it would have quite brokenhis heart, for never had any woman of _his_ household been forced todo aught toward her own maintenance. But times had changed sinceReginald Blairsdale had been laid away in the little burial plot uponthe plantation, where his wife had slept for so many years, and hisdaughter had lived to see many changes take place which would haveoutraged all his traditions.
"Now, mother, _please_ listen to me," said Constance, earnestly, asshe slipped her arm about her mother's waist. "I am _not_ going togive up all my afternoons, and neither is Eleanor. As to the exercise,we each have a pretty long walk to and from school mornings andafternoons, and, in addition to that, Eleanor will go to her pupils'houses to do her coaching. That gives her a good bit of exercise threeafternoons each week, and she has _all_ her Saturdays free. I shallgive little more than two hours a day to my candy making, and I knowyou and Jean will gladly help me do the packing and tying up. Just howI shall send it over, I haven't decided yet; that can be settled laterwhen I send a ton or so each day," laughed Constance. "Meanwhile Mammywill take it over, or _I_ can. Only _please_ don't dampen myenthusiasm or worry because I am undertaking this step. I am perfectlywell and strong, and I'll promise not to do anything to endanger thathealth and strength. So smile upon my venture, Mumsey, dear, and makeup your mind that it _is_ going to be a _great_ success,--because it_is_," ended Constance, with a rapturous hug.
"You are my brave, sweet girl!" said Mrs. Carruth, very tenderly."Yes, I'll put my Blairsdale pride in my pocket--or rather my hand-bag,since pockets are no longer in fashion, and try to be a full-fledged,twentieth-century woman. Now what is the first step?"
"The first step is to make my candies before I try to sell 'em. No,the first is to order the stuff sent home to make them of. I'll 'phoneright down to Van Dorn's this minute. I've plenty on hand for thisafternoon's candy, but I'll lay in a big supply ahead."
The 'phoning was soon done, and then Constance hurried to the kitchenwhere for the two ensuing hours she worked like a beaver. At the endof that time several pounds of tempting sweets were made and ready tobe wrapped in paraffin paper. When this was done all was packedcarefully into tin boxes to await the arrival of the paper ones.
Constance surveyed the candy with much satisfaction, as indeed shewell might, for no daintier sweets could have been found. Turning tothe others she cried:
"I feel as self-satisfied and self-righteous as though I'd just put anew skirt braid on my skirt, and I don't know of anything that makesone feel more so. If I can make five pounds a day for six days I'dhave a pretty good supply on hand for Saturday, my 'opening day.' My,doesn't that sound business-like? Nornie, don't you wish _you'd_ takento a commercial rather than a professional life? Come on Jean, theothers will die of envy when they see our candy booth spread andspread until it swallows up all the office space in the Arcade," andcatching up the saucepan in which she had made her candy, Constancebegan to beat a lively tattoo upon the bottom of it, as anaccompaniment to her whistling, as, still enveloped in her big apron,she pranced about the kitchen. Jean, also in gingham array, promptlyjoining in, for Jean's resentment had vanished since she had beentaken into the girls' confidence and "entered the partnership" as shecalled it.
In a day or two another message came over the 'phone to Constance,asking her to call at the Arcade, the following afternoon.
Upon reaching there at three o'clock, she was met by Mr. Porter, whohad been on the lookout for her.
"Glad you've come, little girl! Glad to see you," he said heartily."Come and look at your cubby and tell me what you think of it. _I_think it great." While he talked Mr. Porter led the way to the rear ofthe Arcade. As they drew near the stairway, Miss Willing glanced up,gave an indifferent nod in answer to Constance's "How do you do, MissWilling?" and turned to her 'phone. Miss Willing much preferred beingthe center of attraction beneath the stairs, and was not enthusiasticover the thought of sharing her corner with "one of them big-bugs, asthey think themselves." Could she have known it, this girl, whom shewas so stigmatizing, felt herself a very tiny bug indeed in the worldin which Miss Willing dwelt, and secretly stood in considerable awe ofthe young lady who could look with so much self-assurance into theeyes of the patrons of her 'phone booth, and smile and joke with oldand young men alike. There were always several around the booth.Constance wondered why they seemed to have to wait so long to havetheir calls answered. Her own 'phone calls at home were answered sopromptly. However, while these sub-conscious thoughts passed throughher brain, the more wide-awake portion of it was taking in the changedappearance of her cubby's corner.
Mr. Porter had lost no time and spared no trouble, and the Arcade'scarpenter to whom he had given instructions to "do that job in shapeand mighty quick," had followed those instructions to a dot. There wasthe cubby, the wood all carefully painted in white enamel, theportable shelves made of sheets of heavy glass. A high railing andgate shut off one end, giving ingress to the proprietor, and privacyif she wished at any time to stay at her counter for awhile. On thelower shelf of the counter stood a little cash box divided into twosections: One for bills the other for silver. Just above it was asmall white sign upon which was plainly painted in dark blue letters:
"Constance B.'s Candies." Take what you wish. Leave cost of goods taken. Make your change from my cash box. Respecting my patrons' integrity, Constance B. C. Kindly close the door.
Constance clasped her hands and gave a little cry of delight. All herideas were so perfectly carried out.
"Oh, Mr. Porter, it is perfectly fascinating! How good you are! How amI ever going to pay for it though? I had no idea you were going to somuch trouble and expense."
"But you don't _have_ to pay for it. Every office has to be fitted upfor its tenant's needs you know, or he wouldn't rent it. So I had tohave your cubby fitted up for yours. Now you can stock up as soon asyou're a mind to. And, by-the-way, those boxes will be along to-morrowmorning. I told them they must hustle, and they have. Are your photosready to paste on 'em?"
"Yes, they came home last evening; at least six d
ozen of them did, andthe rest will come next week. I'll send them to the box manufacturersfor the next lot and they can be put right on there. It will save ourtime."
"Good! Twelve dozen boxes will be delivered this time, and the restwill be along pretty soon. Send your photos to them as quickly as youcan. I'm glad you like your cubby."
"Like it! Why I'd be the most ungrateful girl that ever lived if Ididn't like it. It's just simply _splendid_! But a whole year's rentwon't pay you back I'm afraid."
"Don't care whether it does or not. Mean to make you sign a _five_years' lease next time. When will you stock up?"
"Mammy is coming over with me early Saturday morning. Just think wehave already made over twenty-five pounds of candy. I want to havefifty on hand to start with. Do you think I'll _ever_ sell it?" andthe pretty girlish face was raised to Mr. Porter's with the mostwinning of smiles.
"Little flirt! I wonder if she knows he has daughters as old as _she_is," muttered the girl at the 'phone. Constance was quite unconsciousof either look or comment.
"Of course you'll sell it. Mark my word it will go like hot cakes,"was the encouraging answer.
"I hope so. And thank you again and again for _all_ you have done.Good-bye. Please tell your daughters what a proud girl you have mademe," and the little gloved hand was held toward him. He shook itwarmly and walked with her to the front door. As he turned to go backa man who occupied a cigar stand near the door nodded and said with alaugh:
"Got a new tenant, Mr. Porter? Goin' to let us have another prettygirl to talk to?"
"I've got a new tenant, yes, Breckel, but, unless I am very muchmistaken, you will not talk to her a great deal, and when you _do_you'll take your hat off, and toss away your cigar. It's a pity wecan't have a few more such girls in our business world. It would raisethe standard considerably. Men would find a better occupation thanmaking fool speeches to them then. Mark my word that little woman willsucceed."
"I'm sure I hope she will if she's the right stuff," answered Breckel,the laugh giving place to a more earnest expression and tone of voice,which proved that the man, like most of his stamp, had something goodin him to be appealed to.