"But I can't have this," said Septimus Rainer.
"Well, she can always give me a month's notice, and then the engagement
ends," said Tinker. He was prepared for the discussion, and resolved
that his father and Dorothy should not be separated as long as he could
prevent it.
"Do you mean she isn't free for a month from now? But--but it's
absurd!" said Septimus Rainer.
"That's what the papers call the rights of the employer," said Tinker
with a singularly sad sweetness.
"Oh, you wouldn't insist on that right, not if you were asked nicely,
would you?" said Lord Crosland.
"Oh, yes, I should!" said Tinker cheerfully. "You see, I'm responsible
for Elsie, and she will never get such a good governess as Dorothy
again. So she must have as much of her as possible."
"Thank you; it's nice to be appreciated," said Dorothy, smiling at him.
"Ah," said Septimus Rainer with the air of one who has found a solution
of the problem, "but Dorothy can always forfeit a month's salary in
lieu of notice."
"Oh, I couldn't think of it, papa!" cried Dorothy. "I should lose--I
should lose five pounds!"
"This beats the Dutch! This is avarice! I allow you four thousand
dollars a month!" said Septimus Rainer.
Pages:
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236