Mr. Wykoff called on Wednesday last to look over the new superintendent.
Having lowered himself into my most comfortable armchair, he proceeded
to spend the day. He asked my father's business, and whether or not he
was well-to-do. I told him that my father manufactured overalls, and
that, even in these hard times, the demand for overalls was pretty
steady.
He seemed relieved. He approves of the utilitarian aspect of overalls.
He had been afraid that I had come from the family of a minister or
professor or writer, a lot of high thinking and no common sense. Cyrus
believes in common sense.
And what had been my training for this position?
That, as you know, is a slightly embarrassing question. But I produced
my college education and a few lectures at the School of Philanthropy,
also a short residence in the college settlement (I didn't tell him
that all I had done there was to paint the back hall and stairs). Then
I submitted some social work among my father's employees and a few
friendly visits to the Home for Female Inebriates.
To all of which he grunted.
I added that I had lately made a study of the care of dependent
children, and casually mentioned my seventeen institutions.
He grunted again, and said he didn't take much stock in this new-fangled
scientific charity.
At this point Jane entered with a box of roses from the florist's.
That blessed Gordon Hallock sends me roses twice a week to brighten the
rigors of institution life.
Our trustee began an indignant investigation. He wished to know where I
got those flowers, and was visibly relieved when he learned that I had
not spent the institution's money for them. He next wished to know who
Jane might be. I had foreseen that question and decided to brazen it
out.
"My maid," said I.
"Your what?" he bellowed, quite red in the face.
"My maid."
"What is she doing here?"
I amiably went into details. "She mends my clothes, blacks my boots,
keeps my bureau drawers in order, washes my hair."
I really thought the man would choke, so I charitably added that I paid
her wages out of my own private income, and paid five dollars and fifty
cents a week to the institution for her board; and that, though she was
big, she didn't eat much.
He allowed that I might make use of one of the orphans for all
legitimate service.
I explained--still polite, but growing bored--that Jane had been in my
service for many years, and was indispensable.
He finally took himself off, after telling me that he, for one,
had never found any fault with Mrs. Lippett. She was a common-sense
Christian woman, without many fancy ideas, but with plenty of good solid
work in her. He hoped that I would be wise enough to model my policy
upon hers!