It became evident after a number of householders had inquired how they could help, that there was a chance that the U. S. C. treasury might not be reduced after all by the purchase of beds.  When one lady was informed by Helen of their schemes for filling the rooms—­how the carpenters had provided them with a table that would do for the dining-room and how shelves innumerable were to do duty for innumerable purposes,—­and she had added ruefully, “But we can’t make very good beds, and we do want the women to sleep well, poor things.  We’ve got to buy those—­” she had cried, “Why, I have a cot in my attic that I should be delighted to let you have, and my daughter’s little boy has outgrown his crib and I’m sure she’ll contribute that.”

A week before the Fete, however, they had been promised all the bedsteads they needed—­though some lacked springs, some mattresses, and almost all were without pillows—­four cribs, half a dozen chairs and two high chairs, and a collection of odd pieces.  Helen refused nothing but double beds; there was not space enough for those in a bedroom with three people in it; it would seem to the women too much like the crowded tenements they came from, she thought.  Miss Merriam objected also, on the ground that it was not well for babies to sleep with grown people.

“What do you think of this plan?” Ethel Brown asked her mother after the girls had made a careful list of their gifts.  “We did think that if we didn’t have a stick in the house the people would be interested in helping us because of our poverty.  We’ve found out that they are awfully interested even without seeing the house.  Do you think it would be a good scheme to put into the rooms the things we have ready and to fasten on the door a notice saying
    ‘this room needs’
and under that a list of what is lacking?  Don’t you think some of them would say, ’I’ve got an extra cushion at home that would do for a pillow here; I’ll send it over’; or ’Don’t you remember that three legged chair that used to be in Joe’s room?  I believe these children can mend it and paint it to look well enough for this room’?”

“Ethel Brown, you’re running Ethel Blue hard in the line of ideas!” cried Roger admiringly from a position at the door which he had taken as he passed through the hall and heard discussion going on.

“It’s a capital idea,” agreed Mrs. Morton.  “You’d better ask Grandfather again for a wagon and go around and collect the things that have been promised.  You don’t want to bother people to send them over themselves.”

Every one worked with vigor during the last few days before the festival, for the renovating of old furniture takes more time than any one ever expects it to.  The results were so satisfactory, however, that neither the boys nor the girls gave a thought to their tired hands and backs when evening brought them release from their labors.