Page:Hollyhock house; a story for girls (IA hollyhockhousest00tagg).pdf/165

Rh Mrs. Garden, for the first time intervening in household arrangements, urged the employment of a man who should be all the Gardens’ own—and their garden’s own.

“He might be a person who could also drive a car,” she suggested. “I think I shall get a car soon.”

“Oh, madrina, let us be your chauffeuresses!” Florimel cried, jumping up and down, instantly afire. “Jane and I would love to run a car!”

“But not Mary!” Mary interposed. “I wouldn’t be a ‘chauffeuress’ for anything you could offer me.”

“Mel is right; I’d love it,” said Jane. “Do you suppose we could do it, madrina?”

Their mother regarded them thoughtfully, her head on one side, as if the car were waiting and the question admitted no delay in answering.

“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I’m not fond of seeing girls do men’s work. Yet you two are rather the sort to carry it off well; do it well and not have the effect of oversmartness. We might make it a success. But that has nothing to do with the gardener and his driving; you couldn’t look after the car altogether.”

“Now just imagine sitting up in the front seat,