“I want you to feel that you are safe here, you and Sheila,” said Mrs. Emerson gently.  “Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Smith and I have been talking it over with Kate, and this is what we’ve planned, provided you agree.”

Moya gathered up her baby jealously in her lap.

“It will keep you and Sheila together,” said Mrs. Emerson quickly, noticing her gesture, and smiling approvingly as Moya at once let the child slide off her lap on to the floor where she sat contentedly playing with some of the pods of the peas that had fallen from the pan.

“Perhaps Kate has told you that we are planning to have some women and children who need country air come out from New York this summer and live in a farmhouse that we have on the place here.”

Moya nodded.  “She did.”

“We need a cook.  We are going to give them simple food, but nourishing and well cooked.”

“If it’s me you’re thinking of for the cooking, ma’am, I’m a poor cook beyond potaties and stew.”

“You never were taught to cook?”

“Taught?  No, ma’am.  I picked up what little I know from me mother.  ’Tis simple enough, but too simple for what you need.”

“If you’ll try to learn, here’s what we’ve planned.  Kate needs a helper.  Not because she isn’t strong and hearty, but because Mr. Emerson and I want her to have a little more time for pleasure than she has had for a good many years.  She won’t take a real vacation, so we are going to give her a partial vacation.”

“Me being the helper?” inquired Moya, her thin face lighting.

“More than the helper.  Kate has agreed to teach you how to cook all the dishes that it will be necessary to cook for the women and children this summer.  You couldn’t have a better teacher.”

“I’m sure of it,” answered the young woman, turning gratefully to Kate.  “I’ll do my very best.”

“You shall have a room for yourself and the baby, and wages,” and she named a sum that made Moya’s eyes burn.

“I’m not worth that yet,” she cried, “but I know you’ll need me to dress respectable, so I’ll not refuse it and I’ll get some decent things for the baby and mesilf!”

“If Kate finds that you take hold well she’ll teach you more elaborate cooking.  There’s always a place waiting somewhere for a good cook, and here’s your chance to learn to be a really excellent cook.”

So the problem of obtaining a cook was settled without trouble, and as Ethel Brown found Mrs. Schuler not only ready but eager to act as Matron, two of the possible difficulties seemed to have proved themselves no difficulties at all.

CHAPTER IV

PLANS

The work of the carpenters filled in very acceptably the time when the members of the Club were toiling at school.

A visit of inspection toward the end of June gave the onlookers the greatest satisfaction.