"There is one thing I regret. If Mrs. Brooks and Maria come, they will be very much disappointed. Tell them I'll try to attend to them the day but one after Christmas. And now, good by, children. You know you're as dear to me as the apple of my eye. Do take good care of yourselves, and be good."
"The apple of your eye appears to be split in four quarters, auntie," remarked Horace; and on the strength of that joke, Mrs. Allen started on her journey to Trenton.
"Now I suppose I'm to be the head of the family," said Prudy, with a majestic air.
"We are the two heads, if you please, _mum_," said Horace, striking an attitude.
"Why, the little finger, pet. All you have to do is to curl up in one corner."
"H'm!" responded Fly, looking at Dotty's solemn face, and trying to draw her own down to exactly the same length.
"Pretty well, I should think," said Dotty, as soon as her injured feelings would allow her to speak. "What have I done to be put down to the bottom of the foot?"
"But you know, little sister, one woman has to manage a house; and I am older than you."
"But you can't make a bit better gingerbread, Prudy Parlin! If I've got to be _your_ hired girl, I won't play."
"So I wouldn't," said Horace. "I'd show 'em what I thought of such actions."
Upon this there was a little whirlwind, which spun Dotty out of the room before you could count two.
"They stand very high in their own self-esteem. He's a hero, she a _hero-ess_! They think I like to be laughed at. She said it only took one woman to manage a house; but she never made any fuss when _Horace_ spoke up, and wanted to help. It's _me_ that can't manage--just because it's me. Who wants Horace for the head of the family? He don't know more'n the head of a pin! When'd ever _he_ make ginger-bread?"
By this time Dotty had reached her own room in a tumult of rage.
"Prudy wouldn't 'low three heads to it, I s'pose? O, no; for then I could be one! If I was a great boy, with a silver watch, that wasn't her own sister, she'd let me! Yes, if I had five heads, she wouldn't have said a word."
Dotty paced the floor restlessly, with her hands behind her.
"I shan't go back. Let 'em keep their old house. I can keep house my own self up in this room--wish I'd brought Fly--she's too good for 'em. Wish I hadn't come to New York to be imposed upon."